Trading standards officer | Average UK Salary & Outlook

Trading standards officers (TSOs) protect consumers and businesses by promoting a safe and fair trading environment.

  • Report violations of compliance or regulatory standards to duly authorized enforcement agencies as appropriate or required.  
  • Identify compliance issues that require follow-up or investigation.  
  • Discuss emerging compliance issues to ensure that management and employees are informed about compliance reporting systems, policies, and practices.  
  • File
Read more about Trading standards officer

Trading standards officers typically work around 38 to 40 hours per week.

As a Trading standards officer you will typically work evenings / weekends.

This occupation tends to be:

  • Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
  • Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out
  • Read more about Trading standards officer
    * from ONETonline
    Average salary
    27,762 GBP *
    per year
    19,000 GBP
    90,000 GBP
    Starting
    5+ Experience
    * data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ons.gov.uk)
    Average salary for Trading standards officer

    • 30,042 GBP
    • 26,303 GBP
    Average salary for part-time Trading standards officer
    Average salary for full-time Trading standards officer

    Showing:
    • 12,665 GBP
    • 12,675 GBP
    • 12,606 GBP
    • 27,762 GBP
    • 26,303 GBP
    • 30,042 GBP
    Salary over time for Trading standards officer

    Salary for this role has increased over time
    • 23,744 GBP
    • 24,087 GBP
    • 24,577 GBP
    • 25,358 GBP
    • 26,290 GBP
    • 27,321 GBP
    • 27,762 GBP
    • 27,754 GBP
    • 28,916 GBP
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    Future outlook for Trading standards officers

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    Balanced outlook
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    Balanced outlook
    2% yearly wage growth (on average)

    Trading standards officer - Your future job?


    Which qualifications do I need?

    Find out what you need to know in order to become a Trading standards officer and the highest average level of education for people in this role.

    In terms of people already doing this job:

    • 63% of people in this role have a Bachelor's degree
    • 14% of people in this role have a Master's degree
    • 9% of people in this role have GCSEs or equivalent

    You can apply for work as a trainee trading standards officer with a local authority. You'll then study towards professional qualifications on the job, and work your way up to trading standards officer.

    You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths. Some authorities may also want you to have 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.


    Get the right qualification to begin your journey to becoming a Trading standards officer

    Trade Law

    What soft skills do I need?

    Rise above the competition by brushing up on the 5 most important soft skills you need to become a Trading standards officer.
    Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
    Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
    Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times
    Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively
    Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience

    What technical skills do I need?

    Technical skills are programmes, softwares and things you need to know in order to be a successful Trading standards officer. Check that you know:
    1
    Analytical or scientific software Data analysis software; Horwath Software Magique; StataCorp Stata
    2
    Compliance software Actimize Brokerage Compliance Solutions; MetricStream Enterprise Compliance Platform; Oracle Enterprise Governance, Risk, and Compliance Manager; Thomson Reuters Paisley Enterprise GRC
    3
    Electronic mail software Email software; IBM Notes
    4
    Internet browser software Apple Safari; Microsoft Internet Explorer; Mozilla Firefox; Web browser software
    5
    Project management software Microsoft Project
    Improve your skills today

    Trade Law

    Things to highlight for your Trading standards officer interview

    Integrity Job requires being honest and ethical. Attention to Detail Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. Stress Tolerance Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. Dependability Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. Persistence Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

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