Tarkov Trader Levels – How To Level Up Traders

Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by Samuel Franklin

Tarkov trader levels is the main mechanic for restricting the best equipment, ammunition and weapons from players. Learning how to level up traders and optimising this process will allow players to access everything in EFT faster for a potential combat advantage.

This guide summarises the trader level up requirements and tips to reach maximum trader level to unlock the full vendor inventory, barters and quests based on my personal experience across multiple game wipes where I’ve reached max level traders.

Table of Contents:
– Trader Level Requirements
– How To Level Up Traders

Trader Level Requirements

Each trader has 2 attributes that need to reach specific thresholds (PMC level and reputation) before you will increase the trader loyalty level (LL). These levels progress from level 1 to level 4 and each adds extra equipment to purchase or barter. Fence is the only exception to this rule as his reputation is tied to the Scav Karma system instead. Note that prior to season 1 (from August 2026) there was also a total transaction (buy/sell) requirement with each vendor that was a major bottleneck.

The trader thresholds are:

• Player PMC level: Based on your PMC level which increases with experience earned from raids and quests, the level for max traders is 42.
• Reputation with the trader (‘Standing’): Earned from trader quests and daily/weekly operational tasks. Some quests like Chemical Part 4 will have negative standing impacts.

Trader	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4 / Max Level
Prapor	PMC Level 6 Standing 0.70	PMC Level 21 Standing 2.70	PMC Level 36 Standing 7.90
Therapist	PMC Level 5 Standing 0.60	PMC Level 18 Standing 2.10	PMC Level 37 Standing 5.80
Fence	N/A	N/A	PMC Level 1 Scav Rep 6.0
Skier	PMC Level 7 Standing 0.60	PMC Level 22 Standing 2.10	PMC Level 38 Standing 5.80
Peacekeeper	PMC Level 8 Standing 0.50	PMC Level 19 Standing 2.20	PMC Level 37 Standing 6.00
Mechanic	PMC Level 12 Standing 0.60	PMC Level 26 Standing 2.30	PMC Level 40 Standing 7.6
Ragman	PMC Level 12 Standing 0.50	PMC Level 27 Standing 2.00	PMC Level 42 Standing 6.50
Jaeger	PMC Level 9 Standing 0.60	PMC Level 17 Standing 2.10	PMC Level 33 Standing 7.30
Ref	PMC Level 15 Standing 0.25	PMC Level 25 Standing 0.50	PMC Level 35 Standing 1.20

How To Level Up Traders

Quests are the main source for players to gain PMC levels and trader standing with the bottleneck with the removal of total transaction requirements in season 1.

With trader levels unlocking new quests players need to avoid focusing too heavily on quests from a single trader as this can leave other trader reputation behind.

Written by

Samuel Franklin

Samuel Franklin is the founder and lead editor of the Games Finder team and enjoys video games across all genres and platforms.

Sam (Seelyon) is a seasoned Escape From Tarkov player with over 1,000 raids across multiple Tarkov patches while accumulating thousands of player kills and maintaining a 50% survival rate who favours a calculated playstyle. During these wipes he has earned the coveted Kappa secure container, proving his determination in the unforgiving world of Tarkov. His passion for the punishing game goes beyond personal accomplishment and he is driven by a desire to guide new players on their own Escape From Tarkov journey one raid at a time.

Through countless firefights, strategic flanks and exhilarating boss encounters, he has accumulated a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and nuances that allows him to offer valuable insights and strategies to those seeking to navigate the complexities of Tarkov.