Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products
November 2004 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 527,000 jobs in 2002. Forty-two percent worked in the wholesale trade and manufacturing industries, and another 15 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 | 245,000 |
| Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products | 155,000 |
| Purchasing managers | 108,000 |
| Purchasing agents and buyers, farm products | 19,000 |
Median annual earnings of purchasing managers were $59,890 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $43,670 and $81,950 a year. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $32,330, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $108,140 a year.
Median annual earnings for purchasing agents and buyers, farm products were $40,900 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $31,390 and $55,440 a year. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $23,850, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $76,740 a year.
Median annual earnings for wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, were $40,780 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $30,040 and $55,670 a year. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $23,270, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $76,070 a year. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, in 2002 were as follows:
| Management of companies and enterprises | $49,150 |
| Grocery and related product wholesalers | 42,850 |
| Machinery, equipment, and supplies merchant wholesalers | 37,920 |
| Building material and supplies dealers | 35,910 |
Median annual earnings for purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, were $45,090 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $34,820 and $58,780 a year. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $27,950, and the highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $73,990 a year. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of purchasing agents, except of wholesale, retail, and farm products, in 2002 were as follows:
| Federal Government | $58,410 |
| Aerospace product and parts manufacturing | 52,900 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 50,790 |
| Local government | 42,450 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals | 34,420 |
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.
November 2004 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: 40 mean earnings: $49,080 (EC) (def) (IG) | $24,550 | $28,460 | $38,770 | $73,140 | $89,900 |
| Utilities employment: 430 mean earnings: $64,750 (EC) (def) (IG) | $39,440 | $51,500 | $65,020 | $77,760 | $91,410 |
| Utilities employment: 430 mean earnings: $64,750 | $39,440 | $51,500 | $65,020 | $77,760 | $91,410 |
| Construction employment: 470 mean earnings: $50,340 (EC) (def) (IG) | $28,780 | $37,290 | $49,240 | $56,920 | $72,340 |
| Construction of Buildings employment: 70 mean earnings: n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Specialty Trade Contractors employment: 390 mean earnings: $47,430 | $28,970 | $36,460 | $48,400 | $55,640 | $63,850 |
| Manufacturing employment: 4,820 mean earnings: $52,040 (EC) (def) (IG) | $28,930 | $35,880 | $47,910 | $62,600 | $82,230 |
| Food Manufacturing employment: 270 mean earnings: $47,790 | $29,010 | $33,520 | $43,470 | $57,200 | $71,720 |
| Apparel Manufacturing employment: 180 mean earnings: $53,490 | $28,600 | $32,490 | $41,550 | $59,620 | $92,790 |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing employment: 30 mean earnings: $47,730 | $25,820 | $33,230 | $42,680 | $56,660 | $79,120 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing employment: 90 mean earnings: $47,620 | $29,290 | $34,650 | $44,390 | $57,620 | $75,160 |
| Paper Manufacturing employment: 100 mean earnings: $51,850 | $30,530 | $38,210 | $48,400 | $59,280 | $75,100 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities employment: 70 mean earnings: $49,590 | $25,850 | $31,860 | $40,860 | $54,760 | $84,500 |
| Chemical Manufacturing employment: 240 mean earnings: $53,780 | $29,580 | $36,860 | $49,120 | $63,320 | $79,140 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing employment: 150 mean earnings: $44,160 | $28,080 | $33,320 | $43,260 | $52,370 | $57,850 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing employment: 80 mean earnings: $51,710 | $23,560 | $32,050 | $42,750 | $65,940 | $79,260 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing employment: 70 mean earnings: $46,000 | $29,370 | $34,890 | $44,830 | $55,160 | $68,980 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing employment: 430 mean earnings: $45,750 | $29,260 | $36,650 | $44,100 | $55,130 | $63,110 |
| Machinery Manufacturing employment: 450 mean earnings: $48,210 | $29,760 | $35,590 | $44,370 | $56,630 | $75,340 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing employment: 910 mean earnings: $60,580 | $30,240 | $41,080 | $56,250 | $73,670 | $99,180 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing employment: 250 mean earnings: $54,170 | $31,660 | $37,590 | $48,760 | $65,140 | $86,930 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing employment: 640 mean earnings: $58,110 | $32,420 | $42,200 | $57,210 | $72,630 | $87,040 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing employment: 180 mean earnings: $50,560 | $31,760 | $38,240 | $47,150 | $58,810 | $73,590 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing employment: 350 mean earnings: $50,450 | $30,520 | $38,020 | $47,990 | $58,220 | $72,250 |
| Wholesale Trade employment: 54,770 mean earnings: $48,810 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,260 | $32,930 | $42,710 | $56,170 | $77,570 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods employment: 27,960 mean earnings: $47,880 | $27,100 | $33,500 | $42,730 | $55,720 | $73,420 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods employment: 20,550 mean earnings: $47,510 | $25,310 | $32,510 | $42,710 | $55,840 | $76,550 |
| Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers employment: 6,250 mean earnings: $57,270 | $25,690 | $31,810 | $42,630 | $63,340 | $111,150 |
| Retail Trade employment: 48,990 mean earnings: $44,540 (EC) (def) (IG) | $21,410 | $28,300 | $38,210 | $53,070 | $74,730 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers employment: 5,370 mean earnings: $61,480 | $25,900 | $34,200 | $50,780 | $76,270 | $111,180 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Stores employment: 3,100 mean earnings: $46,450 | $25,330 | $31,550 | $40,160 | $52,290 | $73,740 |
| Electronics and Appliance Stores employment: 2,080 mean earnings: $47,830 | $22,630 | $29,920 | $41,070 | $56,900 | $80,510 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers employment: 7,040 mean earnings: $40,640 | $21,390 | $27,620 | $36,750 | $47,960 | $65,060 |
| Food and Beverage Stores employment: 7,920 mean earnings: $37,410 | $20,230 | $25,490 | $33,610 | $44,050 | $56,150 |
| Health and Personal Care Stores employment: 2,270 mean earnings: $39,570 | $23,100 | $27,810 | $35,620 | $44,890 | $66,650 |
| Gasoline Stations employment: 750 mean earnings: $44,230 | $18,400 | $23,740 | $32,980 | $53,720 | $102,560 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Stores employment: 3,960 mean earnings: $45,770 | $22,650 | $29,400 | $38,700 | $53,440 | $76,610 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Book, and Music Stores employment: 4,950 mean earnings: $40,370 | $20,980 | $26,560 | $35,280 | $48,250 | $67,680 |
| General Merchandise Stores employment: 3,980 mean earnings: $47,210 | $18,580 | $26,980 | $43,260 | $62,140 | $81,850 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers employment: 4,610 mean earnings: $41,150 | $19,860 | $25,910 | $35,730 | $50,270 | $66,470 |
| Nonstore Retailers employment: 2,960 mean earnings: $48,720 | $26,270 | $34,380 | $44,810 | $58,200 | $76,750 |
| Transportation and Warehousing employment: 870 mean earnings: $52,250 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,090 | $33,670 | $47,360 | $64,490 | $84,820 |
| Support Activities for Transportation employment: 70 mean earnings: $53,870 | $25,500 | $31,170 | $40,990 | $58,010 | $99,260 |
| Warehousing and Storage employment: 720 mean earnings: $52,320 | $26,110 | $33,780 | $47,140 | $65,460 | $85,970 |
| Information employment: 1,710 mean earnings: $56,490 (EC) (def) (IG) | $31,340 | $39,320 | $50,890 | $70,420 | $89,570 |
| Publishing Industries (except Internet) employment: 200 mean earnings: $45,220 | $27,540 | $32,520 | $40,950 | $53,690 | $75,510 |
| Telecommunications employment: 1,240 mean earnings: $58,390 | $32,590 | $40,300 | $51,720 | $73,490 | $91,820 |
| Finance and Insurance employment: 380 mean earnings: $51,440 (EC) (def) (IG) | $21,300 | $31,340 | $38,920 | $62,540 | $100,320 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities employment: 210 mean earnings: $37,450 | $19,800 | $26,140 | $34,990 | $40,840 | $60,650 |
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities employment: 90 mean earnings: n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities employment: 80 mean earnings: $54,900 | $29,170 | $39,990 | $53,460 | $67,930 | $83,710 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing employment: 350 mean earnings: $36,150 (EC) (def) (IG) | $16,800 | $19,100 | $27,050 | $44,500 | $64,780 |
| Real Estate employment: 160 mean earnings: $36,420 | $17,200 | $19,550 | $23,110 | $42,870 | $65,030 |
| Rental and Leasing Services employment: 180 mean earnings: $34,800 | $16,540 | $18,520 | $29,680 | $43,990 | $60,750 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 2,090 mean earnings: $53,270 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,080 | $32,810 | $45,310 | $63,020 | $96,530 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employment: 2,090 mean earnings: $53,270 | $26,080 | $32,810 | $45,310 | $63,020 | $96,530 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 15,830 mean earnings: $56,140 (EC) (def) (IG) | $29,990 | $38,460 | $51,090 | $69,510 | $89,300 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises employment: 15,830 mean earnings: $56,140 | $29,990 | $38,460 | $51,090 | $69,510 | $89,300 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services employment: 1,300 mean earnings: $46,650 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,270 | $33,620 | $41,930 | $54,120 | $74,580 |
| Administrative and Support Services employment: 1,300 mean earnings: $46,660 | $26,300 | $33,640 | $41,940 | $54,110 | $74,620 |
| Educational Services employment: 470 mean earnings: $40,790 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,080 | $31,040 | $37,590 | $46,490 | $57,590 |
| Educational Services employment: 470 mean earnings: $40,790 | $26,080 | $31,040 | $37,590 | $46,490 | $57,590 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance employment: 600 mean earnings: $41,840 (EC) (def) (IG) | $26,370 | $32,060 | $39,450 | $47,980 | $57,230 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services employment: 210 mean earnings: $45,920 | $31,320 | $37,200 | $43,180 | $51,610 | $58,320 |
| Hospitals employment: 350 mean earnings: $40,520 | $25,580 | $30,920 | $37,440 | $46,330 | $56,770 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation employment: 340 mean earnings: $41,580 (EC) (def) (IG) | $24,350 | $30,070 | $39,490 | $49,400 | $58,630 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries employment: 30 mean earnings: $45,100 | $29,290 | $34,940 | $42,150 | $52,930 | $66,110 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions employment: 70 mean earnings: $40,450 | $20,650 | $29,180 | $35,750 | $47,980 | $65,930 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries employment: 240 mean earnings: $41,410 | $24,700 | $29,800 | $39,570 | $49,300 | $56,920 |
| Accomodation and Food Service employment: 1,250 mean earnings: $38,950 (EC) (def) (IG) | $22,550 | $27,820 | $35,360 | $45,150 | $58,700 |
| Accommodation employment: 110 mean earnings: $37,560 | $22,380 | $27,510 | $33,910 | $45,680 | $56,540 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places employment: n.a. mean earnings: $39,080 | $22,580 | $27,850 | $35,520 | $45,110 | $59,060 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) employment: 410 mean earnings: $38,750 (EC) (def) (IG) | $25,100 | $28,930 | $34,170 | $45,530 | $57,960 |
| Repair and Maintenance employment: 150 mean earnings: $42,420 | $27,740 | $31,060 | $35,930 | $48,570 | $70,980 |
| Personal and Laundry Services employment: 140 mean earnings: $37,420 | $24,980 | $27,000 | $31,240 | $48,630 | $55,900 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations employment: n.a. mean earnings: $35,380 | $22,590 | $30,150 | $33,530 | $37,020 | $46,750 |
| Public Administration employment: 410 mean earnings: $45,560 (def) (IG) | $30,070 | $36,270 | $44,430 | $53,440 | $63,230 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government (OES Designation) employment: 410 mean earnings: $45,560 | $30,070 | $36,270 | $44,430 | $53,440 | $63,230 |
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.
source: Occupational Employment Statistics Program; about these estimates