What they do
Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
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Also called: |
Buyer, Grocery Buyer, Procurement Specialist, Purchaser, Purchasing Coordinator, Retail Buyer, Trader
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Wages
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Buyers and Purchasing Agents* |
Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 19.50 |
$40,560 |
25% |
$ 22.74 |
$47,300 |
Median |
$ 28.22 |
$58,700 |
75% |
$ 34.33 |
$71,410 |
90% |
$ 43.13 |
$89,710 |
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Average |
$ 29.76 |
$61,900 |
* You're seeing information for "Buyers and Purchasing Agents" because it includes "Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products" for which wage information is not available. |
1 What are Percentile Wages? |
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Industries of Employment
Buyers and Purchasing Agents* |
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Federal government, excluding postal service
| 9% |
- Management of companies and enterprises
| 9% |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 8% |
- Merchant wholesalers, durable goods
| 7% |
- Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods
| 5% |
* You're seeing information for "Buyers and Purchasing Agents" because it includes "Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products" for which industries of employment information is not available. |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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- Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Negotiation
Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
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- 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.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Persuasion
Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
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- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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- Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
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- Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
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- Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
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- Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
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- Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Buyers and Purchasing Agents* |
Vermont |
2020 employment |
878 |
2030 employment |
859 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
-0.2% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
84 |
* You're seeing information for "Buyers and Purchasing Agents" because it includes "Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products" for which projected employment information is not available. |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
Buyers and Purchasing Agents* |
- Typical education needed for entry
Bachelor's degree
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Moderate-term on-the-job training
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* You're seeing information for "Buyers and Purchasing Agents" because it includes "Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products" for which education and experience information is not available. |
Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Somewhat Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Medium Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(6.0 to < 7.0) - A typical worker will require
over 1 year up to and including 2 years
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 1% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 35% |
Associate's degree | | 11% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 19% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 20% |
Less than high school diploma | | 14% |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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- Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
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- Working with Computers
Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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- Processing Information
Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
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- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Purchase stocks of merchandise or supplies.
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- Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers.
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- Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers.
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- Purchase products or services.
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- Provide information to coworkers.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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