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. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
- O*NET-SOC code
13-1022.00 - Preparation Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Wages
BLS doesn't publish wages for Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products separately. These are the figures for Buyers and Purchasing Agents (13-1020), a combined BLS occupation that includes it.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $48,380 | $60,800 | $77,710 | $100,820 | $128,870 |
By state (51)
| State | Employment | Median annual | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 8,960 | $74,030 | 1.34 |
| Alaska | 890 | $83,460 | 0.87 |
| Arizona | 10,870 | $75,340 | 1.06 |
| Arkansas | 4,510 | $75,870 | 1.09 |
| California | 48,010 | $82,720 | 0.83 |
| Colorado | 10,080 | $83,590 | 1.11 |
| Connecticut | 5,530 | $83,030 | 1.03 |
| Delaware | 1,400 | $82,920 | 0.91 |
| District of Columbia | 1,880 | $124,090 | 0.85 |
| Florida | 30,270 | $72,850 | 0.96 |
| Georgia | 15,710 | $74,530 | 1.02 |
| Hawaii | 1,720 | $74,240 | 0.87 |
| Idaho | 1,610 | $69,240 | 0.60 |
| Illinois | 19,660 | $78,470 | 1.02 |
| Indiana | 10,720 | $69,350 | 1.06 |
| Iowa | 4,570 | $70,360 | 0.93 |
| Kansas | 6,470 | $69,500 | 1.42 |
| Kentucky | 5,440 | $65,240 | 0.86 |
| Louisiana | 3,440 | $66,340 | 0.56 |
| Maine | 1,180 | $77,630 | 0.58 |
| Maryland | 8,900 | $90,900 | 1.02 |
| Massachusetts | 12,820 | $85,970 | 1.12 |
| Michigan | 16,680 | $75,900 | 1.20 |
| Minnesota | 10,960 | $80,370 | 1.18 |
| Mississippi | 2,240 | $71,850 | 0.61 |
| Missouri | 8,070 | $65,650 | 0.87 |
| Montana | 1,230 | $62,850 | 0.76 |
| Nebraska | 2,850 | $74,950 | 0.88 |
| Nevada | 2,310 | $72,990 | 0.47 |
| New Hampshire | 2,580 | $77,270 | 1.19 |
| New Jersey | 12,180 | $93,250 | 0.90 |
| New Mexico | 2,250 | $76,740 | 0.82 |
| New York | 31,240 | $79,460 | 1.02 |
| North Carolina | 14,290 | $75,880 | 0.92 |
| North Dakota | 880 | $76,400 | 0.65 |
| Ohio | 21,640 | $76,410 | 1.23 |
| Oklahoma | 4,750 | $71,850 | 0.88 |
| Oregon | 7,090 | $75,050 | 1.14 |
| Pennsylvania | 17,430 | $73,550 | 0.91 |
| Rhode Island | $86,240 | ||
| South Carolina | 6,150 | $75,550 | 0.84 |
| South Dakota | 1,180 | $73,990 | 0.81 |
| Tennessee | 11,420 | $65,430 | 1.10 |
| Texas | 44,030 | $76,050 | 0.99 |
| Utah | 4,090 | $74,540 | 0.75 |
| Vermont | 1,010 | $65,330 | 1.05 |
| Virginia | 22,120 | $89,210 | 1.70 |
| Washington | 15,400 | $85,130 | 1.37 |
| West Virginia | 1,130 | $75,670 | 0.51 |
| Wisconsin | 9,240 | $70,880 | 0.99 |
| Wyoming | 570 | $72,200 | 0.64 |
Similar occupations
Similarity is our measure: the cosine of importance x level over all 120 O*NET skills, knowledge areas and abilities. It is not an O*NET finding. More.
Circles are the 20 most similar occupations, coloured by Job Zone. Lines join pairs where one is among the other's 10 most similar; darker lines are pairs O*NET also lists as related. Drag a circle to move it out of the way; select one to open it.
| # | Occupation | Job Zone | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General and Operations Managers | 4 | 0.963 |
| 2 | Purchasing Managers | 4 | 0.963 |
| 3 | Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | 1-2 | 0.960 |
| 4 | Project Management Specialists | 4 | 0.959 |
| 5 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | 4 | 0.958 |
| 6 | Advertising and Promotions Managers | 4 | 0.958 |
| 7 | Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products | 4 | 0.957 |
| 8 | Gambling Managers | 1-2 | 0.957 |
| 9 | Marketing Managers | 4 | 0.956 |
| 10 | Logisticians | 4 | 0.954 |
One skill away
Among the 50 occupations most similar to Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products, those at the same Job Zone or lower, where exactly one skill rated at least 3 in importance needs a level more than 0.75 points higher (on O*NET's 0-7 level scale). Our definition. Change the thresholds.
| Occupation | Skill to build | Level gap | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | Time Management | 1.00 | 0.960 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | Time Management | 0.87 | 0.952 |
| Administrative Services Managers | Time Management | 1.12 | 0.950 |
| Real Estate Sales Agents | Service Orientation | 0.88 | 0.943 |
Software to learn next
Software used by at least 3 of the 20 occupations most similar to Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products, excluding software Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products already lists and any you named. Ranked by how many of them use it, weighted by how much more common it is among them than across all occupations (lift). Our ranking.
| Software | Similar jobs using it | Lift |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Dynamics | 17 of 20 | 6.6x |
| NetSuite ERP | 12 of 20 | 11.5x |
| Oracle PeopleSoft Financials | 10 of 20 | 11.3x |
| Oracle E-Business Suite Financials | 10 of 20 | 10.3x |
| Oracle Hyperion | 10 of 20 | 9.0x |
| IBM Power Systems software | 9 of 20 | 11.5x |
| IBM Cognos Impromptu | 10 of 20 | 8.7x |
| Microsoft Visio | 14 of 20 | 4.3x |
| Delphi Technology | 9 of 20 | 9.7x |
| Microsoft Dynamics GP | 9 of 20 | 8.5x |
Skills
From O*NET data. Importance is rated 1 to 5 and level 0 to 7.
| Skill | Type | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | Essential skill | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Negotiation | Transferable skill | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Persuasion | Transferable skill | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | Essential skill | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Speaking | Essential skill | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential skill | 3.62 | 3.88 |
| Active Learning | Essential skill | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Monitoring | Essential skill | 3.38 | 4.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable skill | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Coordination | Transferable skill | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.50 |
| Mathematics | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.38 |
| Writing | Essential skill | 3.12 | 3.25 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable skill | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.38 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable skill | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.25 |
| Instructing | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 3.00 |
| Time Management | Transferable skill | 2.88 | 2.88 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable skill | 2.75 | 3.00 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable skill | 2.62 | 3.00 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable skill | 2.50 | 2.38 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable skill | 1.75 | 1.50 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable skill | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Technology Design | Transferable skill | 1.38 | 0.38 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Programming | Transferable skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Science | Essential skill | 1.25 | not rated |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable skill | 1.12 | not rated |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Installation | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
| Repairing | Transferable skill | 1.00 | not rated |
Knowledge (33) and abilities (52)
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Administration and Management | 4.17 | 5.08 |
| English Language | 3.84 | 3.84 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.77 | 3.98 |
| Production and Processing | 3.71 | 4.18 |
| Mathematics | 3.53 | 4.24 |
| Administrative | 3.39 | 5.04 |
| Education and Training | 3.21 | 4.31 |
| Sales and Marketing | 3.09 | 4.28 |
| Personnel and Human Resources | 3.04 | 4.15 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.88 | 2.52 |
| Computers and Electronics | 2.87 | 3.58 |
| Communications and Media | 2.86 | 2.76 |
| Psychology | 2.82 | 3.17 |
| Economics and Accounting | 2.80 | 2.82 |
| Transportation | 2.80 | 2.59 |
| Telecommunications | 2.64 | 1.58 |
| Law and Government | 2.30 | 1.99 |
| Food Production | 2.09 | not rated |
| Foreign Language | 2.03 | 1.24 |
| Design | 1.88 | 1.55 |
| Geography | 1.82 | 1.88 |
| Physics | 1.79 | 2.01 |
| Chemistry | 1.79 | 1.82 |
| Mechanical | 1.79 | 1.22 |
| Engineering and Technology | 1.72 | not rated |
| Building and Construction | 1.68 | 1.33 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 1.62 | 1.48 |
| Fine Arts | 1.55 | not rated |
| Philosophy and Theology | 1.47 | not rated |
| History and Archeology | 1.39 | not rated |
| Biology | 1.36 | not rated |
| Therapy and Counseling | 1.16 | not rated |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 1.14 | not rated |
| Name | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Deductive Reasoning | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Oral Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Oral Expression | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Written Comprehension | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Speech Clarity | 3.62 | 3.25 |
| Problem Sensitivity | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Speech Recognition | 3.38 | 3.75 |
| Mathematical Reasoning | 3.38 | 3.50 |
| Near Vision | 3.25 | 3.38 |
| Inductive Reasoning | 3.25 | 3.25 |
| Category Flexibility | 3.12 | 3.75 |
| Fluency of Ideas | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Number Facility | 3.12 | 3.12 |
| Written Expression | 3.00 | 3.62 |
| Information Ordering | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Far Vision | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Originality | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | 2.88 | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | 2.88 | 2.62 |
| Speed of Closure | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Flexibility of Closure | 2.62 | 2.62 |
| Perceptual Speed | 2.50 | 2.75 |
| Visualization | 2.38 | 2.12 |
| Memorization | 2.00 | 2.12 |
| Trunk Strength | 2.00 | 1.75 |
| Time Sharing | 1.88 | 1.75 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | 1.62 | 1.00 |
| Finger Dexterity | 1.62 | 1.00 |
| Manual Dexterity | 1.62 | 1.00 |
| Depth Perception | 1.62 | 0.75 |
| Wrist-Finger Speed | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| Auditory Attention | 1.50 | 1.00 |
| Hearing Sensitivity | 1.50 | 0.75 |
| Dynamic Strength | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Rate Control | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Reaction Time | 1.50 | 0.50 |
| Extent Flexibility | 1.25 | not rated |
| Multilimb Coordination | 1.25 | not rated |
| Stamina | 1.25 | not rated |
| Static Strength | 1.25 | not rated |
| Explosive Strength | 1.12 | not rated |
| Spatial Orientation | 1.12 | not rated |
| Control Precision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Dynamic Flexibility | 1.00 | not rated |
| Glare Sensitivity | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Coordination | 1.00 | not rated |
| Gross Body Equilibrium | 1.00 | not rated |
| Night Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Peripheral Vision | 1.00 | not rated |
| Response Orientation | 1.00 | not rated |
| Sound Localization | 1.00 | not rated |
| Speed of Limb Movement | 1.00 | not rated |
Software used
Examples from O*NET data. "Hot" and "in demand" are O*NET flags for technologies often listed in job postings.
- Microsoft Excel in demand
- Microsoft Office software in demand
- Microsoft Outlook in demand
- Microsoft PowerPoint in demand
- SAP software in demand
- Purchasing software in demand
- Eclipse IDE hot
- Facebook hot
- Intuit QuickBooks hot
- Microsoft Access hot
- Microsoft Project hot
- Microsoft SharePoint hot
- Microsoft Windows hot
- Microsoft Word hot
- Oracle Database hot
- Oracle PeopleSoft hot
- Advanced Retail Management Systems Retail Pro
- Applicant tracking software
- Biztrak Business Solutions Biztrak
- CAM Commerce Solutions Retail STAR Point of Sale POS
- Claritas ConsumerPoint
- Contact management software
- Email software
- Enterprise risk management software ERMS
- Graphics software
- Infor Supply Chain Management
- Inventory control systems
- JDA Software Group Advanced Warehouse Replenishment by E3
- JDA Software Group Assortment Planning by Arthur
- Kliger-Weiss Infosystems
All 49
- Materials requirement planning MRP software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Millennium Software Atrex
- Oracle Advanced Procurement
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Oracle PeopleSoft Enterprise Supply Planning Multi-Site Material Planner
- Oracle Taleo
- POSitive Software POSitive for Windows
- Plexis Software Plexis POS
- Product development management software
- Qlik Tech QlikView
- SAP POS Data Management
- Sage ERP Accpac
- Scheduling software
- Sourcing Simulator
- Specialized Business Solutions Keystroke POS
- Web browser software
- Windward Software Windward System Five
Where it concentrates
BLS doesn't publish wages for Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products separately. These are the figures for Buyers and Purchasing Agents (13-1020), a combined BLS occupation that includes it.
Metro areas ranked by BLS location quotient: the occupation's share of the area's jobs divided by its share of all US jobs. Above 1 means more concentrated than the nation. Metros employing fewer than 100 are left out.
| Metro area | Employment | Location quotient | Median annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington Park, MD | 730 | 3.28 | $111,530 |
| Huntsville, AL | 2,740 | 3.26 | $94,990 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 2,190 | 2.52 | Not available |
| Warner Robins, GA | 580 | 2.43 | $100,120 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | 2,850 | 2.42 | $94,520 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | 950 | 2.35 | $75,110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 1,320 | 2.32 | $84,730 |
| Richmond, VA | 4,000 | 1.92 | $82,370 |
| Aguadilla, PR | 290 | 1.90 | $54,550 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 4,390 | 1.82 | $79,380 |