The auctioneer offers works of art and furniture at public auction, either put up for sale by individuals or companies, or coming from court seizures. To train for this profession, students can enroll in a leading school in the field of art and culture such as IESA to complete their education after earning a double degree in Law and Art History.
On this page, find all the important information about the auctioneer profession:
What Is an Auctioneer?
An auctioneer works in a public auction room for furniture, items, and works of art. These goods are generally put up for sale by companies or individuals. However, they may also be items obtained after a court seizure (bankruptcy, loan repayment, etc.).
What Are an Auctioneer’s Duties?
Here are the main duties of an auctioneer:
- Take inventory of the goods made available to them
- Organize and run auctions
- Contact potential buyers
- Compile a catalog and a technical sheet for each work of art to be put up for sale
- Appraise works of art (paintings, antique objects, statues, etc.)
Skills Needed to Become an Auctioneer
To work as an auctioneer, several qualities are needed. In terms of personal and professional skills, the candidate must have:
- Good general knowledge
- Great open-mindedness
- A business sense
- A passion for art and antiques
- Perseverance
- A touch of discretion
Several technical skills are also essential to excel in this profession. The professional must in particular:
- Mastering the history of ancient and modern art
- Having a good sense of showmanship
- Knowing how to make a good appraisal of goods
Is It Hard to Become an Auctioneer?
The path to becoming an auctioneer requires solid general knowledge and real determination. Beyond the required double degrees, passing the entrance exam demands intensive preparation and excellent command of art knowledge.
The profession demands great versatility: the auctioneer must juggle appraising works, administrative management, and running the sales. This constant showmanship requires nerves of steel and the ability to adapt to a demanding clientele.
The oral exams and the defense before the National Chamber of Auctioneers are crucial steps. Your future earnings will depend largely on your ability to build a solid professional network from your first years of practice.
Fields of Practice for an Auctioneer
There are two types of auctioneers: those serving private clients and those who work for the state. These professionals have one thing in common: they only work at the request of their clients.
- The Auctioneer Serving the State
Sometimes a company goes bankrupt. It is then obliged to sell its assets to pay its debts. This is where the state auctioneer, commonly known as the court-appointed auctioneer, comes in. This professional works for the Ministry of Justice. Before practicing, they take an oath before the regional court and are then appointed by the minister.
- The Auctioneer Serving Private Clients
Besides court seizures, other reasons may lead some people to sell their works of art at auction. The services of a specialized auctioneer help them organize better and estimate the true value of their assets. Auctioneers who work for private clients often practice in commercial companies.
How to become an auctioneer? What studies and training?
Leading schools such as IESA offer specific programs to help students better understand the legal and tax system surrounding the art market. Here are the programs this institution offers to anyone who wishes to pursue a career as an auctioneer. The first important thing to know is that you must pass an auctioneer examination in order to become one. It can only be taken if the student holds a dual degree in law and art history. One of these degrees must be at least at the Bac+3 level (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), the other at the Bac+2 level.
Art Market Law
To become an auctioneer, it is essential to have a substantial legal background. This explains why you need to study law (for at least 2 years) alongside a Bachelor in Art Market.
To complete this program, the student can turn to the law school of their choice. They will need to strengthen their skills in law (particularly commercial, notarial and European law)
Art History
If the student wishes to complete a 3-year course in art history, they will need to opt for a bachelor’s degree in art history. They then obtain the level 6 certification, registered with the RNCP. During this program, they will learn to
- Organize and conduct auctions in compliance with legal rules
- Ensure the logistics and protection of the artworks placed at their disposal
- Handle communication and promotion of sales and artworks
- Appraise art objects
- Tell authentic works from fakes
Auctioneer’s Clerk
If a dual degree involving law does not appeal to you, or commits you too much to a legal path, you can move toward the profession of Auctioneer’s Clerk, which IESA trains for. Clerks who do not hold the required dual degree but can demonstrate 7 years of experience in an auction house may sit the aptitude exam to enter this profession and aim for a higher salary.
Read the testimonials of 3 of our students who became auctioneers:
Matthieu Lamoure
Director of Artcurial Motorcars
"My advice to all students would perhaps be this: choose a specialty, preferably your passion, seize opportunities, decide quickly, persevere, even in moments of doubt, and stay the course."
Delphine Bisman
Auctioneer and gemologist at the family auction house in Rouen
"I greatly appreciated the instructors' commitment to our professional development. Moreover, the internships, hands-on experience and many encounters were decisive in my career choice."
Jérôme Duvillard
Auctioneer - Auction Quay
"What led me to this profession is passion, an interest in objects and in the history surrounding them."
How much does an auctioneer earn?
The average salary of an auctioneer is approximately 6,900 euros gross per month, but this amount can vary depending on the nature of the sales and the professional structure in which they practice. An auctioneer may own their own office, be a partner in a firm or be an employee, for example within a voluntary sales company. There are also judicial auctioneers, who work for the courts. Their pay takes the form of fees calculated as a percentage of the sales made, in accordance with the legal fee schedule set by decree 85-382 of March 25, 1985. For a voluntary auctioneer, pay depends both on the sums obtained at auction and on the fees charged to sellers and buyers. (Source: Hellowork.com - Career profile: Auctioneer - Accessed 05/22/2025.)
Career paths for an auctioneer
After proving themselves for a few years, the auctioneer will be able to apply for a higher position. They may notably be granted the rank of ministerial officer and practice within the Ministry of Justice.
An auctioneer can also become an art expert or head of a voluntary sales company. Since they hold a degree in art history, they can also move on to become a gallery owner, antiques dealer, artist agent, sponsorship officer, exhibition curator, art broker… In the art market, there is no shortage of opportunities for advancement.