Also called: Bookstore Clerk, Independent Bookstore Owner
Recommends, sells, and organizes books at a bookstore, and helps readers find their next favorite.
A bookseller unpacks new releases, writes shelf-talker recommendations, hosts an author event, and helps a kid find the next book in a series.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. No degree required; a love of reading.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: English, Literature.
Growing slowly (about 0% over 10 years). BLS 2025-35 projection band for SOC 41-2031: Little or no change.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Online sales and AI recommendations compete; hand-selling, author events and bookstore community stay human.
Age 16+. One way to start: Apply at Barnes & Noble, a local indie bookstore or a used bookstore
Classes: AP Literature, Business CTE class, Creative writing.
Official data: O*NET occupation 41-2031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.