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Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents

Summary

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Video transcript available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2dXriu30nA.
Quick Facts: Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents
2023 Median Pay $77,180 per year
$37.11 per hour
Typical Entry-Level Education Bachelor's degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation See How to Become One
On-the-job Training See How to Become One
Number of Jobs, 2023 605,400
Job Outlook, 2023-33 7% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2023-33 41,400

What Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents Do

Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations. Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents.

Work Environment

Purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents usually work in an office setting. Most work full time. Travel may be required.

How to Become a Purchasing Manager, Buyer, or Purchasing Agent

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents typically need a bachelor’s degree, although some employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma. Purchasing managers also need several years of related work experience.

Pay

The median annual wage for buyers and purchasing agents was $71,950 in May 2023.

The median annual wage for purchasing managers was $136,380 in May 2023.

Job Outlook

Overall employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 61,100 openings for purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

State & Area Data

Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents with similar occupations.

More Information, Including Links to O*NET

Learn more about purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

What Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents Do About this section

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents
Purchasing agents and buyers consider price, quality, availability, reliability, and technical support when choosing suppliers and merchandise.

Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. They evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and review the quality of products. Purchasing managers oversee the work of buyers and purchasing agents and typically handle more complex procurement tasks.

Duties

Purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents typically do the following:

  • Evaluate suppliers on the basis of the price, quality, and speed of delivery of their products and services
  • Interview vendors and visit suppliers’ plants and distribution centers to examine and learn about products, services, and prices
  • Attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences to learn about new industry trends and make contacts with suppliers
  • Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other information to determine reasonable prices
  • Negotiate contracts on behalf of their organization
  • Work out agreements with suppliers, such as when products will be delivered
  • Meet with staff and vendors to discuss defective or unacceptable goods or services and determine corrective action
  • Evaluate and monitor contracts to be sure that vendors and suppliers comply with the terms and conditions of the contract and to determine the need for changes
  • Maintain and review records of items bought, costs, deliveries, product performance, and inventories

Purchasing managers and buying and purchasing agents focus on efficient acquisition of goods or services for their organization.

Purchasing managers plan and coordinate the work of buyers and purchasing agents and hire and train new staff. They also develop their organization’s procurement policies and procedures to help ensure that workers who handle procurement meet ethical standards and avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Buyers and purchasing agents study sales records and inventory levels of current stock, identify suppliers, and keep up to date with changes affecting both the supply of and demand for products and materials. They need to have a working knowledge of the goods or services they are purchasing.

Buyers who purchase items to resell to customers may determine which products their organization will sell. They need to be able to predict what will appeal to their customers.

To assess prospective suppliers’ capabilities, buyers and purchasing agents may visit plants and distribution centers. They enter into contracts with suppliers who meet the organization’s needs and then place orders.

The following are examples of types of buyers and purchasing agents:

Purchasing agents and buyers of farm products buy agricultural products for further processing or resale. Examples of these products are grain, cotton, and tobacco.

Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products buy items for the operation of an organization. Examples of these items are chemicals for a manufacturing plant and industrial equipment, machinery, and office supplies for operating an establishment.

Wholesale and retail buyers purchase goods for resale to consumers. Examples of these goods are clothing and electronics.

Work Environment About this section

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents
Purchasing managers plan and coordinate the work of buyers and purchasing agents.

Buyers and purchasing agents held about 524,100 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of buyers and purchasing agents were as follows:

Manufacturing 22%
Wholesale trade 14
Government 12
Retail trade 8
Management of companies and enterprises 8

Purchasing managers held about 81,300 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of purchasing managers were as follows:

Manufacturing 25%
Management of companies and enterprises 17
Government 12
Wholesale trade 10
Professional, scientific, and technical services 9

Most purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents work in an office setting. Travel is sometimes necessary to visit suppliers or review products.

Work Schedules

Most purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. For others, part-time work may be common. 

How to Become a Purchasing Manager, Buyer, or Purchasing Agent About this section

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents
Educational requirements vary for buyers and purchasing agents, who also receive on-the-job training.

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents typically need a bachelor’s degree, although some employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma. Purchasing managers also need several years of related work experience.

Education

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents typically need a bachelor's degree for entry-level positions. However, a high school diploma or the equivalent may be sufficient for some positions.

Fields of study vary, but a degree in business, finance, or supply management may be helpful. For positions as a buyer or purchasing agent of farm products, a degree in agriculture, agriculture production, or animal science may be beneficial.

Training

Buyers and purchasing agents typically get on-the-job training for a few months. During this time, they learn how to perform their basic duties, including monitoring inventory levels and negotiating with suppliers.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Purchasing managers typically need several years of work experience in a related occupation. For example, they might start out as buyers or purchasing agents and advance to a managerial role after gaining experience in procurement.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some workers may choose to earn optional certification in an area such as procurement or supply chain management. Certification helps to demonstrate that candidates have attained competency in the field.

Advancement

An experienced purchasing agent or buyer may become an assistant purchasing manager before advancing to purchasing manager or other, related management positions.

Purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents with extensive work experience also may advance to become the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) for an organization.

Important Qualities

Analytical skills. Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents must evaluate options and choose suppliers with the best combination of price, quality, delivery, or service.

Communication skills. Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents must be able to provide clear information both orally and in writing.

Decision-making skills. Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents need to make informed and timely choices about the products that they think will sell.

Interpersonal skills. Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents must be able to effectively negotiate terms and resolve issues diplomatically.

Math skills. Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents must be able to calculate costs and compare prices from different suppliers to ensure that their organization is getting the best deal.

Pay About this section

Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents

Median annual wages, May 2023

Purchasing managers

$136,380

Business operations specialists

$78,500

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents

$77,180

Buyers and purchasing agents

$71,950

Total, all occupations

$48,060

 

The median annual wage for buyers and purchasing agents was $71,950 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,680, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $121,680.

The median annual wage for purchasing managers was $136,380 in May 2023. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $83,510, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $215,170.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for buyers and purchasing agents in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Government $87,900
Management of companies and enterprises 81,280
Manufacturing 74,000
Wholesale trade 64,060
Retail trade 51,420

In May 2023, the median annual wages for purchasing managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Professional, scientific, and technical services $163,360
Management of companies and enterprises 160,080
Government 141,190
Manufacturing 132,500
Wholesale trade 126,200

Most purchasing managers and buyers and purchasing agents work full time. Some work more than 40 hours per week. For others, part-time work may be common.

Job Outlook About this section

Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents

Percent change in employment, projected 2023-33

Business operations specialists

7%

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents

7%

Buyers and purchasing agents

7%

Purchasing managers

5%

Total, all occupations

4%

 

Overall employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is projected to grow 7 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations.

About 61,100 openings for purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

Projected employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents varies by occupation (see table).

These workers will continue to be needed to help procure goods and services for business operations and for resale to customers. They also will be needed to oversee complex supply chains and to negotiate and manage contracts with suppliers. However, organizations will likely continue to automate some procurement tasks and may use artificial intelligence (AI) or other technology, which may limit growth.

In the public sector, employment demand may be impacted by the continued use of cooperative purchasing agreements. These agreements allow government agencies to share resources to buy supplies, which may limit the need for procurement officers.

Employment projections data for purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents, 2023-33
Occupational Title SOC Code Employment, 2023 Projected Employment, 2033 Change, 2023-33 Employment by Industry
Percent Numeric

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents

605,400 646,800 7 41,400

Purchasing managers

11-3061 81,300 85,400 5 4,100 Get data

Buyers and purchasing agents

13-1020 524,100 561,400 7 37,200 Get data

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Similar Occupations About this section

This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents.

Occupation Job Duties ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help on Entry-Level Education 2023 MEDIAN PAY Help on Median Pay
Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

Bachelor's degree $156,580
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks compute, classify, and record data to help organizations keep complete and accurate financial records.

Some college, no degree $47,440
Financial clerks Financial Clerks

Financial clerks do administrative work, help customers, and carry out transactions that involve money.

High school diploma or equivalent $47,070
Financial managers Financial Managers

Financial managers create financial reports, direct investment activities, and develop plans for the long-term financial goals of their organization.

Bachelor's degree $156,100
Food service managers Food Service Managers

Food service managers are responsible for the daily operation of restaurants or other establishments that prepare and serve food and beverages.

High school diploma or equivalent $63,060
Lodging managers Lodging Managers

Lodging managers ensure that guests have a pleasant experience at an accommodations facility. They also plan, direct, or coordinate activities to ensure that the facility is efficient and profitable.

High school diploma or equivalent $65,360
Logisticians Logisticians

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain.

Bachelor's degree $79,400
Material recording clerks Material Recording Clerks

Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule.

High school diploma or equivalent $44,210
Transportation, storage, and distrubtion managers Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers plan, direct, or coordinate the movement of people and goods.

High school diploma or equivalent $99,200
Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives

Wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses, government agencies, and other organizations.

See How to Become One $73,080
Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/purchasing-managers-buyers-and-purchasing-agents.htm (visited December 22, 2024).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, November 14, 2024

What They Do

The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.

Work Environment

The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.

How to Become One

The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.

Pay

The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.

State & Area Data

The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.

Similar Occupations

The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.

Contacts for More Information

The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

Work experience in a related occupation

Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.

Number of Jobs, 2023

The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2023, which is the base year of the 2023-33 employment projections.

Job Outlook, 2023-33

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033. The average growth rate for all occupations is 4 percent.

Employment Change, 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Entry-level Education

Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.

On-the-job Training

Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.

Employment Change, projected 2023-33

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Growth Rate (Projected)

The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Number of New Jobs

The projected numeric change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

Projected Growth Rate

The projected percent change in employment from 2023 to 2033.

2023 Median Pay

The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey. In May 2023, the median annual wage for all workers was $48,060.