Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products earn a median of $77,710 per year ($37.36/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to grow 6.0% through 2035, with about 47,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 13-1023
- Business and Financial Operations
- Last updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products in four numbers
- Median pay
- $77,710a year, or $37.36/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $48KTop 10% $129K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.0%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 47,200516,100 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 2025516.1K
- Projected 2035547K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 516.1K Projected 2035 547K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school15%
- Associate's10%
- Bachelor's65%
- Post-bacc certificate10%
Highest education held by purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products Segment Value High school 15% Associate's 10% Bachelor's 65% Post-bacc certificate 10%
Also advertised as: Buyer, Contract Administrator (Contract Admin), Procurement and Contracting Administrator (Procurement and Contracting Admin), Procurement and Contracting Buyer, Procurement Official, Procurement Specialist.
Pay
How much do purchasing agents make?
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products earn a median of $77,710 a year ($37.36 an hour, or about $6,480 a month); the lowest-paid 10% earn less than $48,380 and the top 10% more than $128,870 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The best-paying state is District of Columbia, with a median of $124,090. See Purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products salary in District of Columbia and every other state. By city, pay is highest around Lexington Park ($114,770 average): salary in every city.
Every purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$77,710
Middle half earn $60,800 to $100,820
- 10th
- $48,380
- 25th
- $60,800
- 75th
- $100,820
- 90th
- $128,870
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $48,380 |
| 25th | $60,800 |
| Median | $77,710 |
| 75th | $100,820 |
| 90th | $128,870 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $77,710
- Median hourly wage
- $37.36/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $83,770
- People employed
- 491,430
Versus all US occupations
At $77,710, Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products earn 52% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $26,730 a year.
Versus business and financial operations occupations
Inside the Business and Financial Operations group, where the middle occupation pays $80,730, this is 4% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $128,870 or more while the bottom 10% earn $48,380, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 54% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $124,090, and still leads at $112,911 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay purchasing agents the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $124,090 | $112,911 | 1,880 |
| 2New Jersey | $93,250 | $85,704 | 12,180 |
| 3Maryland | $90,900 | $86,605 | 8,900 |
| 4Virginia | $89,210 | $88,236 | 22,120 |
| 5Rhode Island | $86,240 | $84,318 | N/A |
| 6Massachusetts | $85,970 | $81,290 | 12,820 |
| 7Washington | $85,130 | $79,551 | 15,400 |
| 8Colorado | $83,590 | $81,114 | 10,080 |
| 9Alaska | $83,460 | $81,537 | 890 |
| 10Connecticut | $83,030 | $80,137 | 5,530 |
Job outlook
Is purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.0% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products | +6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products to change 6.0% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 30,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 47,200 openings are projected each year, 9.1% of the 516,100 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
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.
Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents 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. Organizations continue to automate some procurement tasks and integrate artificial intelligence (AI), making their procurement activities more efficient.
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.
AI exposure: very high
BLS places this occupation in its very high relative AI exposure category, among the occupations most exposed to current AI.
Getting in
How to become a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products
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.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Considerable preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products.
- Bachelor's Degree65%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)15%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree10%
- Post-Baccalaureate Certificate10%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 65% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 15% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 10% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 10% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products do?
Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.
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.
Day-to-day tasks
- Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
- Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
- Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
- Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
- Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
- Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
- Evaluate and monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and to determine need for changes.
- Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
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.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery day
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely importantDealing with customers or the public is very important.
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Manufacturing22%
- Wholesale trade14%
- Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals13%
- Management of companies and enterprises8%
- Retail trade7%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 22% |
| Wholesale trade | 14% |
| Government, excluding state and local education and hospitals | 13% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 8% |
| Retail trade | 7% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.1
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Learning3.9
- Monitoring3.8
- Mathematics3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.1 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.9 |
| Monitoring | 3.8 |
| Mathematics | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Negotiation4.3
- Complex Problem Solving4.0
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Persuasion3.8
- Management of Financial Resources3.8
- Social Perceptiveness3.3
- Instructing3.3
- Time Management3.3
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Negotiation | 4.3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 4.0 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Persuasion | 3.8 |
| Management of Financial Resources | 3.8 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.3 |
| Instructing | 3.3 |
| Time Management | 3.3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Accounting software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Process mapping and design software · in demand
- Project management software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
The workforce
Who works as a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products?
Women make up 50.0% of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, close to their 47.1% share of all employed people.
24.3% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs.
The median worker is 44.0 years old (all workers: 42.1).
- Women
- 50.0%All workers 47.1% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Median age
- 44.0All workers 42.1 · BLS CPS, 2025
- Aged 55+
- 24.3%All workers 23.2% · BLS CPS, 2025
- Employed (CPS)
- 296,000BLS CPS, 2025
| Group | Share of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products | All employed people |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 50.0% | 47.1% |
| White | 80.6% | 75.7% |
| Black or African American | 8.4% | 12.7% |
| Asian | 6.1% | 7.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.7% | 20.0% |
| Aged 55 and over | 24.3% | 23.2% |
| Aged 16 to 24 | 6.4% | 12.2% |
Current Population Survey annual averages, 2025 (BLS tables 11 and 11b). Race groups can overlap with Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, so they do not sum to 100%.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 4 |
| Investigative | 2 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 6 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Conventional5.7
- Enterprising5.1
- Realistic3.5
- Social1.9
- Investigative1.8
- Artistic1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
O*NET related occupations
- Office and Administrative Support
- Management
- Business and Financial Operations
Wholesale and Retail Buyer, Except Farm Products
$77,710median a year
Most earn $48K to $129K
+6.0%Bachelor's - Business and Financial Operations
- Business and Financial Operations
- Business and Financial Operations
More business and financial operations careers
Median annual pay, with purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products highlighted
- Financial Advisor$105,070
- Accountant$83,680
- Insurance Underwriter$81,370
- Coroner$80,730
- Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator$78,000
- Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products$77,710
- Loan Officer$76,690
- Human Resources Specialist$75,940
- Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate$67,960
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Financial Advisor | $105,070 |
| Accountant | $83,680 |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 |
| Coroner | $80,730 |
| Claims Adjuster, Examiner, and Investigator | $78,000 |
| Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products | $77,710 |
| Loan Officer | $76,690 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $75,940 |
| Appraiser and Assessor of Real Estate | $67,960 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Specialty careers within purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products
Distinct careers BLS counts inside this occupation, each with its own profile.
Lists Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products appears on
Questions
Purchasing Agent, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products: frequently asked questions
How much do purchasing agents make?
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products earn a median of $77,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 52% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $37.36/hr. The middle half earn between $60,800 and $100,820. The top 10% earn $128,870 or more.
How much do purchasing agents make an hour?
The median hourly wage for purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products is $37.36 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). On a full-year basis the $77,710 annual median works out to about $6,480 a month before tax.
What is the starting salary for a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products?
BLS does not publish a starting salary. The nearest measure is the low end of the pay range: the lowest-paid 10% of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products earn less than $48,380 a year and the bottom quarter less than $60,800 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). New workers often start near that end, but where a particular job starts depends on the employer, the state and the credentials you bring, so read these as the bottom of the range rather than a guaranteed entry wage.
Do purchasing agents make $100k?
Some do. $100,000 sits between the median ($77,710) and the 75th percentile ($100,820), so roughly a quarter to a half of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products earn more than that (BLS OEWS, May 2025). One state has a median above $100,000: District of Columbia ($124,090).
Which states pay purchasing agents the most?
The highest state medians for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products are District of Columbia ($124,090), New Jersey ($93,250), Maryland ($90,900) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What kind of purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products earns the most?
BLS does not split purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products' pay by specialty or employer, but its range shows how far the top end runs: the highest-paid 10% earn more than $128,870, against a median of $77,710 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Location moves pay the most in the published data: the best-paying states are District of Columbia ($124,090), New Jersey ($93,250), Maryland ($90,900). Among the specialty careers inside this occupation, industry sources put typical pay at $136,791 for landmen (American Association of Professional Landmen compensation survey, 2023). Those are not BLS figures.
Do you need a degree to become a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as considerable preparation. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 65.0% hold bachelor's degree.
How long does it take to become a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products?
BLS does not publish a fixed length; it depends on the route. What it does publish: the typical way in for purchasing agents is a bachelor's degree. Once hired, BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical. O*NET classes the work as needing considerable preparation.
Is purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.0% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 47,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products do?
Buyers and purchasing agents buy products and services for organizations to use or resell. A core O*NET task: monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations. Employers most often ask for Accounting software, Data base user interface and query software, Document management software.
Do purchasing agents work 40 hours a week?
Most work more than 40. In O*NET's survey of people in the job, 50% of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products usually work more than 40 hours a week, 50% work exactly 40 and 0% work fewer. 95% say their schedule is regular and 5% irregular. Source: O*NET 31.0 Database, Work Context.
What personality type suits a purchasing agent, except wholesale, retail, and farm products?
O*NET scores Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products highest on the Conventional, Enterprising and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ESTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.
What percentage of purchasing agents are women?
Women make up 50.0% of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, close to their 47.1% share of all employed people. 24.3% are 55 or older, close to the 23.2% across all jobs. The median worker is 44.0 years old (all workers: 42.1). Source: BLS Current Population Survey, 2025 annual averages.