Purchasing managers
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Purchasing Managers: Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Include wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents held about 520,000 jobs in 2004. Forty-three percent worked in the wholesale trade and manufacturing industries, and another twelve percent worked in retail trade. The remainder worked mostly in service establishments, such as hospitals, or different levels of government. A small number were self-employed.
The following tabulation shows the distribution of employment by occupational specialty:
| Purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products | 273,000 |
| Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products | 156,000 |
| Purchasing managers | 75,000 |
| Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products | 16,000 |
Median annual earnings of purchasing managers were $72,450 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $54,150 and $94,970 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $41,300, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $121,600 a year.
Median annual earnings for purchasing agents and buyers, farm products were $43,720 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,100 and $59,420 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $82,330 a year.
Median annual earnings for wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, were $42,230 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,550 and $57,010 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,380, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,340 a year. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, in May 2004 were:
| Management of companies and enterprises | $49,770 |
| Grocery and related product wholesalers | 43,910 |
| Wholesale electronic markets and agents and brokers | 43,860 |
| Building material and supplies dealers | 35,850 |
| Grocery stores | 32,790 |
Median annual earnings for purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, were $47,680 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $36,760 and $62,600 a year. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,710 a year. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of purchasing agents, except of wholesale, retail, and farm products, in May 2004 were:
| Federal executive branch and United States Postal Service | $63,940 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 55,820 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 53,750 |
| Local government | 44,730 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 37,090 |
Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents receive the same benefits package as other workers, including vacations, sick leave, life and health insurance, and pension plans. In addition to receiving standard benefits, retail buyers often earn cash bonuses based on their performance and may receive discounts on merchandise bought from their employer.
(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents)
See more recent statistics for employed workers below.
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
National Occupational Employment and Earnings by Industry (NAICS sector and 3-digit industry group)
| Purchasing managers | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Mining employment: 380 mean earnings: $81,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $42,790 | $55,930 | $71,760 | $95,400 | $139,500 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction employment: 190 mean earnings: $90,640 | $45,290 | $63,110 | $79,160 | $113,570 | >$145K |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) employment: 160 mean earnings: $67,310 | $39,490 | $48,750 | $62,970 | $78,970 | $96,890 |
| Utilities employment: 330 mean earnings: $87,010 (EC) (def) (IG) | $47,290 | $62,610 | $83,080 | $109,600 | $135,120 |
| Utilities employment: 330 mean earnings: $87,010 | $47,290 | $62,610 | $83,080 | $109,600 | $135,120 |
| Construction employment: 1,970 mean earnings: $82,230 (EC) (def) (IG) | $44,240 | $56,720 | $76,430 | $103,290 | $128,180 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 1,600 mean earnings: $81,830 | $44,840 | $56,940 | $76,240 | $102,570 | $126,410 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction employment: 170 mean earnings: $87,080 | $41,440 | $57,460 | $85,670 | $110,280 | $135,460 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 190 mean earnings: $81,130 | $42,660 | $54,050 | $72,140 | $99,520 | $132,400 |
| Manufacturing employment: 24,330 mean earnings: $79,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $46,760 | $58,630 | $75,360 | $95,310 | $119,500 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 570 mean earnings: $90,790 | $47,030 | $64,110 | $85,510 | $111,470 | $141,450 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing employment: 140 mean earnings: $80,600 | $48,300 | $57,870 | $75,220 | $99,760 | $122,670 |
| Textile Mills employment: 290 mean earnings: $76,980 | $45,060 | $55,540 | $71,220 | $90,650 | $119,750 |
| Textile Product Mills employment: 110 mean earnings: $69,160 | $36,410 | $49,970 | $66,780 | $85,150 | $103,360 |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 260 mean earnings: $72,780 | $39,150 | $50,740 | $68,580 | $86,980 | $111,480 |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing employment: 50 mean earnings: $73,860 | $43,150 | $51,000 | $64,550 | $88,990 | $117,810 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 580 mean earnings: $72,730 | $38,500 | $50,480 | $65,450 | $87,200 | $120,730 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 630 mean earnings: $78,450 | $50,310 | $60,260 | $75,320 | $92,210 | $114,970 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 530 mean earnings: $69,970 | $41,420 | $51,090 | $64,560 | $85,050 | $106,840 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing employment: 100 mean earnings: $91,350 | $52,670 | $62,290 | $80,810 | $109,820 | >$145K |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 1,800 mean earnings: $85,400 | $49,880 | $63,010 | $81,510 | $103,630 | $128,670 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 1,030 mean earnings: $72,010 | $43,690 | $53,570 | $67,810 | $84,560 | $105,040 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 100 mean earnings: $76,740 | $49,590 | $60,350 | $71,380 | $89,950 | $110,900 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 660 mean earnings: $75,570 | $48,060 | $57,990 | $70,930 | $89,820 | $112,480 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 2,550 mean earnings: $68,920 | $41,180 | $52,090 | $66,020 | $82,680 | $100,010 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 3,110 mean earnings: $77,510 | $47,310 | $58,860 | $73,410 | $90,780 | $113,510 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 4,980 mean earnings: $89,360 | $51,900 | $66,320 | $85,470 | $108,710 | $134,280 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 1,190 mean earnings: $78,640 | $47,820 | $59,370 | $75,730 | $92,360 | $115,770 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 3,760 mean earnings: $82,000 | $48,240 | $60,660 | $78,650 | $100,230 | $120,170 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 650 mean earnings: $66,590 | $37,990 | $48,130 | $63,050 | $79,550 | $94,440 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 1,220 mean earnings: $77,600 | $45,350 | $57,580 | $73,550 | $91,690 | $115,680 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 9,900 mean earnings: $77,670 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,270 | $52,880 | $70,110 | $92,530 | $124,750 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 5,740 mean earnings: $76,340 | $41,410 | $52,810 | $68,960 | $90,200 | $121,390 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 3,390 mean earnings: $79,980 | $41,550 | $53,370 | $71,560 | $96,220 | $131,780 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 770 mean earnings: $77,420 | $39,480 | $51,040 | $73,430 | $97,890 | $117,860 |
| Retail Trade employment: 5,610 mean earnings: $71,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,860 | $46,260 | $63,840 | $87,780 | $118,190 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 810 mean earnings: $78,190 | $38,760 | $51,330 | $71,600 | $90,840 | $132,620 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 240 mean earnings: $74,440 | $36,500 | $45,950 | $65,720 | $87,560 | $130,090 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 390 mean earnings: $84,250 | $39,880 | $53,010 | $74,380 | $101,990 | >$145K |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 820 mean earnings: $67,760 | $36,580 | $46,950 | $62,120 | $83,240 | $106,420 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 950 mean earnings: $58,670 | $29,520 | $37,410 | $52,520 | $72,830 | $100,340 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 240 mean earnings: n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Gasoline Stations employment: 70 mean earnings: $52,800 | $22,050 | $33,220 | $46,290 | $66,360 | $85,540 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 580 mean earnings: $76,520 | $36,360 | $48,290 | $67,060 | $91,590 | $134,850 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 360 mean earnings: $68,650 | $33,870 | $42,840 | $59,100 | $84,960 | $113,810 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 90 mean earnings: $118,840 | $58,800 | $69,170 | $95,870 | >$145K | >$145K |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 450 mean earnings: $66,830 | $31,210 | $42,280 | $57,600 | $83,410 | $111,350 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 600 mean earnings: $79,500 | $43,480 | $56,050 | $75,200 | $95,370 | $121,780 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 870 mean earnings: $80,750 (EC) (def) (IG) | $44,550 | $56,670 | $76,300 | $97,890 | $125,720 |
| Air Transportation employment: 220 mean earnings: $80,780 | $50,850 | $62,560 | $78,800 | $94,830 | $114,540 |
| Rail Transportation employment: 40 mean earnings: $86,090 | $52,130 | $61,440 | $79,950 | $94,460 | $128,680 |
| Water Transportation employment: 70 mean earnings: $78,170 | $46,490 | $52,490 | $73,970 | $95,910 | $123,380 |
| Truck Transportation employment: 110 mean earnings: $66,470 | $34,010 | $47,330 | $59,380 | $81,000 | $104,000 |
| Pipeline Transportation employment: 50 mean earnings: $106,340 | $49,500 | $68,600 | $100,100 | $132,220 | >$145K |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 80 mean earnings: $73,090 | $40,370 | $48,060 | $68,450 | $89,310 | $124,570 |
| Postal Service employment: 30 mean earnings: $125,080 | $94,490 | $110,200 | $125,490 | $138,060 | >$145K |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 240 mean earnings: $77,920 | $42,450 | $55,590 | $74,290 | $93,330 | $119,910 |
| Information employment: 1,020 mean earnings: $97,070 (EC) (def) (IG) | $58,410 | $73,030 | $91,940 | $114,630 | $143,770 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 350 mean earnings: $91,560 | $56,510 | $69,610 | $87,300 | $108,970 | $134,670 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) employment: 40 mean earnings: $98,670 | $59,760 | $70,940 | $89,840 | $115,550 | >$145K |
| Telecommunications employment: 310 mean earnings: $99,180 | $60,540 | $76,430 | $95,070 | $117,500 | $144,260 |
| Internet Service Providers, Web Search Portals, and Data Processing Service employment: 290 mean earnings: $100,240 | $58,470 | $74,190 | $94,940 | $116,850 | >$145K |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 760 mean earnings: $92,900 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,110 | $67,370 | $86,660 | $112,620 | $142,370 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 270 mean earnings: $91,490 | $46,150 | $64,230 | $85,460 | $112,640 | $143,330 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 70 mean earnings: $104,060 | $65,400 | $78,830 | $94,860 | $128,940 | >$145K |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 380 mean earnings: $92,270 | $53,510 | $67,220 | $85,770 | $110,040 | $141,350 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 250 mean earnings: $105,800 (EC) (def) (IG) | $54,190 | $68,410 | $93,960 | $135,530 | >$145K |
| Real Estate employment: 130 mean earnings: $109,770 | $55,360 | $69,590 | $92,530 | $144,720 | >$145K |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 80 mean earnings: $110,860 | $60,110 | $74,170 | $108,460 | $140,550 | >$145K |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) employment: 40 mean earnings: $81,700 | $42,000 | $56,620 | $74,170 | $105,990 | $127,520 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 3,980 mean earnings: $93,410 (EC) (def) (IG) | $52,940 | $70,340 | $90,340 | $112,400 | $138,690 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 3,980 mean earnings: $93,410 | $52,940 | $70,340 | $90,340 | $112,400 | $138,690 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 7,470 mean earnings: $96,690 (EC) (def) (IG) | $50,880 | $66,790 | $87,910 | $117,730 | >$145K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 7,470 mean earnings: $96,690 | $50,880 | $66,790 | $87,910 | $117,730 | >$145K |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 1,230 mean earnings: $79,700 (EC) (def) (IG) | $48,410 | $60,060 | $72,980 | $92,040 | $121,410 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: n.a. mean earnings: $81,730 | $47,660 | $60,630 | $75,090 | $95,310 | $125,870 |
| Educational Services employment: 1,080 mean earnings: $73,460 (EC) (def) (IG) | $43,880 | $54,310 | $69,620 | $88,190 | $110,050 |
| Educational Services employment: 1,080 mean earnings: $73,460 | $43,880 | $54,310 | $69,620 | $88,190 | $110,050 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 1,890 mean earnings: $71,410 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,030 | $50,090 | $67,540 | $87,970 | $111,690 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 350 mean earnings: $72,510 | $37,690 | $45,640 | $66,030 | $90,170 | $120,340 |
| Hospitals employment: 1,450 mean earnings: $71,250 | $39,390 | $51,050 | $67,860 | $87,660 | $110,100 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities employment: 50 mean earnings: $71,380 | $41,160 | $49,380 | $70,970 | $87,380 | $105,510 |
| Social Assistance employment: 40 mean earnings: $67,700 | $40,350 | $47,530 | $59,300 | $85,780 | $105,710 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 160 mean earnings: $82,360 (EC) (def) (IG) | $41,980 | $55,570 | $71,980 | $104,560 | $134,120 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 60 mean earnings: $90,770 | $44,850 | $61,080 | $80,790 | $112,120 | >$145K |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 80 mean earnings: $76,970 | $40,650 | $51,670 | $67,020 | $98,180 | $127,390 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 1,440 mean earnings: $62,740 (EC) (def) (IG) | $30,170 | $41,570 | $55,200 | $78,830 | $104,700 |
| Accommodation employment: 610 mean earnings: $61,490 | $35,230 | $43,190 | $55,620 | $75,730 | $95,530 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: 830 mean earnings: $63,650 | $25,710 | $39,250 | $54,880 | $81,200 | $112,360 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 300 mean earnings: $67,620 (EC) (def) (IG) | $40,930 | $48,130 | $59,340 | $83,980 | $108,530 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 230 mean earnings: $65,250 | $39,850 | $46,290 | $56,920 | $82,340 | $106,410 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 60 mean earnings: $75,560 | $48,620 | $54,690 | $67,980 | $88,960 | $114,850 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 6,330 mean earnings: $80,870 (def) (IG) | $46,890 | $62,220 | $81,720 | $101,430 | $115,370 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 6,330 mean earnings: $80,870 | $46,890 | $62,220 | $81,720 | $101,430 | $115,370 |
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates
The (EC) links lead to data from the Economic Census from the Census Bureau.
The (def) links lead to 2002 NAICS industry definitions from the Census Bureau.
The (IG) links lead to Industry at a Glance industry profiles from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.