Online Merchants

Online Merchants score 63 out of 100, which is high exposure to AI. That ranks #79 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 34 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 13 on its own and 18 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 18 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

63/ 100

High

Rank: #79of 923 jobs
US workers: 1,087,090for Business Operations Specialists, All Other
Median pay: $83,050a year
In real AI use: 18 of 34tasks, April–May 2026

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Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 13 (38%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 18 (53%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 3 (9%)

Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compose descriptions of merchandise for posting to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Prepare or organize online storefront marketing material, including product descriptions or subject lines, optimizing content to search engine criteria.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Create or maintain database of customer accounts.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
Disclose merchant information and terms and policies of transactions in online or offline materials.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
Design customer interface of online storefront, using web programming or e-commerce software.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Transfer digital media, such as music, video, or software, to customers via the Internet.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Devise, select, or purchase domain name and web address.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Initiate online auctions through auction hosting sites or auction management software.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Implement security practices to preserve assets, minimize liabilities, or ensure customer privacy, using parallel servers, hardware redundancy, fail-safe technology, information encryption, or firewalls.AI can speed this up on its own · supplemental task
Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Determine and set product prices.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Compose images of products, using video or still cameras, lighting equipment, props, or photo or video editing software.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Upload digital media, such as photos, video, or scanned images to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Cancel orders based on customer requests or inventory or delivery problems.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Order or purchase merchandise to maintain optimal inventory levels.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Determine location for product listings to maximize exposure to online traffic.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Promote products in online communities through weblog or discussion-forum postings, e-mail marketing programs, or online advertising.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Collaborate with search engine shopping specialists to place marketing content in desired online locations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Investigate products or markets to determine areas for opportunity or viability for merchandising specific products, using online or offline sources.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Measure and analyze Web site usage data to maximize search engine returns or refine customer interfaces.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Develop or revise business plans for online business, emphasizing factors such as product line, pricing, inventory, or marketing strategy.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Select and purchase technical web services, such as web hosting services, online merchant accounts, shopping cart software, payment gateway software, or spyware.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Investigate sources, such as auctions, estate sales, liquidators, wholesalers, or trade shows for new items, used items, or collectibles.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Participate in online forums or conferences to stay abreast of online retailing trends, techniques, or security threats.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Integrate online retailing strategy with physical or catalogue retailing operations.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Create or distribute offline promotional material, such as brochures, pamphlets, business cards, stationary, or signage.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task · Seen in real AI use
Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Maintain inventory of shipping supplies, such as boxes, labels, tape, bubble wrap, loose packing materials, or tape guns.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

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Questions about online merchants and AI

Will AI replace online merchants?

Probably not entirely, but the job is likely to change a lot. Online Merchants score 63 out of 100 (high exposure), #79 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 31 of the job's 34 tasks, 13 of them on its own, while 3 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which online merchants tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software"; "Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment"; "Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers".

Which online merchants tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors"; "Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services"; "Maintain inventory of shipping supplies, such as boxes, labels, tape, bubble wrap, loose packing materials, or tape guns".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 18 of the 34 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as online merchants, and what do they earn?

About 1,087,090 people in the US (figure for Business Operations Specialists, All Other), with median pay of $83,050 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.