How to become Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Productseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Management & Consulting Confidence ★★★☆☆

Median annual pay

—

National statistics

Top pay (est.)

—

Top 10% —

Pay in 5 years

—est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

—est.

—

Outlook score

43/100

★★☆☆☆ Below average

AI replacement risk

69%

High

Job growth (10 yr)

—

BLS projections

How to become Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Typical education

—

BLS

Related experience

—

On-the-job training

—

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Key skills

Reading Comprehension

4.1

Negotiation

4.1

Speaking

4.0

Complex Problem Solving

4.0

Active Listening

4.0

Persuasion

4.0

Writing

4.0

Judgment and Decision Making

3.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

5.5

Administrative

5.1

English Language

5.0

Administration and Management

5.0

Law and Government

4.5

Mathematics

4.2

Computers and Electronics

4.0

Education and Training

3.9

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGetting InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or Information

Important abilities

Deductive ReasoningOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionInformation OrderingWritten Comprehension

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree

65%

High school diploma

15%

Associate's degree

10%

Post-bachelor's certificate

10%

Training before entry

1–2 years

30%

None / short demo

25%

Up to 1 month

25%

6–12 months

15%

1–3 months

Related work experience

2–4 years

35%

4–6 years

30%

1–2 years

15%

6–12 months

10%

None

6–8 years

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Career-path guidance is being prepared.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	General and Operations Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of public or private sector organizations, overseeing multiple departments or locations.	$105,770	62/100	54%
2	Business Operations Specialists, All Other All business operations specialists not listed separately.	$83,050	65/100	30%
3	Project Management Specialists Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis.	$102,320	57/100	70%
4	Human Resources Specialists Recruit, screen, interview, or place individuals within an organization.	$75,940	59/100	61%
5	Management Analysts Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively.	$101,860	69/100	66%
6	Financial Managers Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.	$166,570	65/100	65%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS; Employment Projections); O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.