Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products
May 2005 employment and annual earnings distribution, wage and salary workers
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products: 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. Include assistant buyers.
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)
| Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products | |||||
| Percentile earnings distribution | |||||
| 10th | 25th | 50th | 75th | 90th | |
| Mining employment: 50 mean earnings: $47,120 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,280 | $35,410 | $45,660 | $60,160 | $69,060 |
| Support Activities for Mining employment: 40 mean earnings: $40,950 | $24,920 | $30,800 | $39,980 | $48,340 | $60,360 |
| Utilities employment: 390 mean earnings: $60,210 (EC) (def) (IG) | $33,720 | $44,360 | $60,120 | $72,270 | $88,580 |
| Utilities employment: 390 mean earnings: $60,210 | $33,720 | $44,360 | $60,120 | $72,270 | $88,580 |
| Construction employment: 520 mean earnings: $53,790 (EC) (def) (IG) | $30,080 | $38,460 | $50,660 | $65,310 | $86,990 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 90 mean earnings: $75,540 | $40,710 | $56,620 | $78,180 | $90,000 | $111,190 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 410 mean earnings: $49,040 | $29,270 | $37,040 | $47,990 | $57,800 | $71,990 |
| Manufacturing employment: 4,340 mean earnings: $51,970 (EC) (def) (IG) | $28,150 | $34,910 | $46,920 | $63,380 | $84,080 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 240 mean earnings: $49,010 | $28,700 | $33,300 | $43,530 | $59,000 | $76,410 |
| Textile Mills employment: n.a. mean earnings: $51,000 | $30,110 | $40,350 | $47,600 | $56,850 | $80,390 |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 120 mean earnings: n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing employment: 30 mean earnings: $48,630 | $28,520 | $37,080 | $44,060 | $54,840 | $84,020 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $44,340 | $30,040 | $35,680 | $40,510 | $46,580 | $68,850 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $52,870 | $30,100 | $37,910 | $49,090 | $61,830 | $79,870 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 70 mean earnings: $53,890 | $27,300 | $33,990 | $42,540 | $59,380 | $97,190 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 220 mean earnings: $51,150 | $27,540 | $34,690 | $46,210 | $57,610 | $76,320 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 130 mean earnings: $47,120 | $28,800 | $33,460 | $47,080 | $55,450 | $68,640 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 60 mean earnings: $44,260 | $22,790 | $29,550 | $39,640 | $49,680 | $63,000 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $46,450 | $27,690 | $32,530 | $42,570 | $54,690 | $69,920 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 360 mean earnings: $47,500 | $29,780 | $37,010 | $44,010 | $55,630 | $70,670 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 360 mean earnings: $49,210 | $29,050 | $35,290 | $45,700 | $57,250 | $74,830 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 770 mean earnings: $61,130 | $29,530 | $38,790 | $56,870 | $77,700 | $103,590 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 210 mean earnings: $52,660 | $30,730 | $36,270 | $46,060 | $64,690 | $86,080 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: n.a. mean earnings: $57,520 | $31,380 | $40,770 | $56,330 | $72,830 | $88,200 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 170 mean earnings: $50,200 | $31,790 | $38,260 | $46,900 | $58,000 | $71,520 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 350 mean earnings: $49,830 | $29,950 | $35,170 | $47,570 | $57,890 | $71,900 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 54,930 mean earnings: $49,560 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,470 | $33,280 | $43,150 | $56,470 | $77,750 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 27,490 mean earnings: $49,490 | $27,280 | $33,940 | $43,520 | $56,290 | $75,120 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 20,510 mean earnings: $47,890 | $26,180 | $33,490 | $43,300 | $56,230 | $75,160 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 6,930 mean earnings: $54,770 | $24,640 | $30,660 | $40,440 | $59,060 | $105,910 |
| Retail Trade employment: 47,720 mean earnings: $45,830 (EC) (def) (IG) | $22,270 | $29,190 | $39,520 | $55,210 | $76,440 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 5,850 mean earnings: $60,520 | $28,080 | $37,060 | $52,270 | $73,150 | $104,590 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 3,010 mean earnings: $47,930 | $26,460 | $32,810 | $41,460 | $55,010 | $73,510 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 1,920 mean earnings: $47,600 | $23,480 | $29,710 | $41,340 | $56,610 | $76,920 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 6,550 mean earnings: $43,060 | $22,100 | $28,470 | $38,520 | $52,160 | $69,600 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 8,140 mean earnings: $39,140 | $20,570 | $25,940 | $34,400 | $45,890 | $61,050 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 2,160 mean earnings: $41,110 | $22,330 | $27,520 | $36,160 | $47,720 | $67,980 |
| Gasoline Stations employment: 820 mean earnings: $42,140 | $21,740 | $27,630 | $37,740 | $43,950 | $71,180 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 3,800 mean earnings: $50,060 | $24,530 | $30,980 | $40,930 | $58,000 | $88,260 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 4,750 mean earnings: $37,950 | $20,520 | $25,890 | $33,650 | $44,980 | $60,960 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 3,380 mean earnings: $48,270 | $19,630 | $28,360 | $43,190 | $64,430 | $82,680 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 4,000 mean earnings: $43,980 | $21,710 | $27,890 | $37,300 | $53,590 | $71,250 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 3,350 mean earnings: $49,070 | $26,300 | $34,580 | $45,390 | $59,610 | $78,620 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 910 mean earnings: $50,580 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,090 | $34,210 | $44,790 | $62,430 | $78,670 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 50 mean earnings: $58,080 | $23,250 | $31,320 | $38,560 | $56,260 | >$145K |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 800 mean earnings: $50,580 | $26,240 | $34,790 | $45,270 | $63,110 | $79,480 |
| Information employment: 1,770 mean earnings: $55,490 (EC) (def) (IG) | $30,900 | $38,470 | $48,830 | $68,010 | $89,150 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 210 mean earnings: $50,630 | $27,420 | $33,430 | $41,190 | $53,370 | $83,520 |
| Telecommunications employment: 1,250 mean earnings: $56,880 | $31,700 | $39,420 | $50,260 | $70,880 | $91,220 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 320 mean earnings: $53,490 (EC) (def) (IG) | $20,530 | $28,220 | $46,790 | $64,480 | $110,460 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 160 mean earnings: $40,800 | $19,330 | $21,380 | $33,500 | $52,790 | $71,190 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 70 mean earnings: $87,110 | $47,050 | $51,760 | $75,880 | $126,990 | $141,810 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 70 mean earnings: $50,140 | $31,690 | $39,090 | $48,160 | $60,290 | $73,050 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 320 mean earnings: $32,040 (EC) (def) (IG) | $17,990 | $21,970 | $29,770 | $36,900 | $51,270 |
| Real Estate employment: 170 mean earnings: $25,990 | $16,910 | $19,420 | $23,480 | $28,560 | $40,480 |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 140 mean earnings: $36,780 | $23,200 | $31,450 | $35,060 | $40,590 | $51,050 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 1,590 mean earnings: $54,480 (EC) (def) (IG) | $25,700 | $33,710 | $46,690 | $65,370 | $94,190 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 1,590 mean earnings: $54,480 | $25,700 | $33,710 | $46,690 | $65,370 | $94,190 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 15,160 mean earnings: $56,580 (EC) (def) (IG) | $30,590 | $38,690 | $51,600 | $69,850 | $89,690 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 15,160 mean earnings: $56,580 | $30,590 | $38,690 | $51,600 | $69,850 | $89,690 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 1,330 mean earnings: $48,030 (EC) (def) (IG) | $27,930 | $35,740 | $43,240 | $54,030 | $71,480 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 1,320 mean earnings: $48,040 | $27,980 | $35,760 | $43,250 | $54,020 | $71,510 |
| Educational Services employment: 460 mean earnings: $43,400 (EC) (def) (IG) | $27,270 | $32,270 | $39,570 | $48,970 | $61,940 |
| Educational Services employment: 460 mean earnings: $43,400 | $27,270 | $32,270 | $39,570 | $48,970 | $61,940 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 570 mean earnings: $42,820 (EC) (def) (IG) | $27,360 | $33,060 | $40,680 | $49,520 | $58,650 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 200 mean earnings: $46,720 | $32,320 | $38,130 | $43,790 | $52,440 | $59,350 |
| Hospitals employment: 340 mean earnings: $41,160 | $26,200 | $31,450 | $38,450 | $47,620 | $58,040 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 330 mean earnings: $43,170 (EC) (def) (IG) | $25,600 | $32,190 | $40,980 | $49,540 | $61,100 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 40 mean earnings: $46,040 | $28,630 | $35,250 | $44,020 | $52,980 | $60,380 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 60 mean earnings: $44,040 | $21,960 | $29,770 | $38,420 | $54,120 | $73,180 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 240 mean earnings: $42,510 | $26,170 | $32,530 | $40,990 | $48,180 | $57,500 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 1,430 mean earnings: $41,600 (EC) (def) (IG) | $21,930 | $29,140 | $36,900 | $49,480 | $64,010 |
| Accommodation employment: 100 mean earnings: $42,850 | $25,660 | $31,050 | $38,470 | $52,560 | $65,450 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: 1,340 mean earnings: $41,510 | $21,590 | $28,980 | $36,820 | $49,170 | $63,880 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 380 mean earnings: $40,960 (EC) (def) (IG) | $25,670 | $29,920 | $36,390 | $49,830 | $60,520 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 190 mean earnings: $44,000 | $28,590 | $32,220 | $40,250 | $52,350 | $68,050 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 100 mean earnings: $38,430 | $25,070 | $27,330 | $32,200 | $50,510 | $57,490 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: 90 mean earnings: $37,380 | $23,310 | $29,330 | $34,940 | $42,950 | $53,680 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 370 mean earnings: $45,230 (def) (IG) | $30,470 | $35,900 | $44,010 | $52,990 | $61,310 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 370 mean earnings: $45,230 | $30,470 | $35,900 | $44,010 | $52,990 | $61,310 |
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.