Retail and Wholesale Buyer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Educational requirements depend on the size of the organization. Qualified people may begin as trainees, purchasing clerks, expediters, junior buyers or assistant buyers. Large stores and distributors favor applicants with a bachelor’s degree. Many manufacturing firms place a greater emphasis on formal training, preferring applicants with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, business, economics or applied science. A master’s degree is necessary for progression to many top-level managerial jobs. Training periods vary from 1 to 5 years.
Training and Education
Employees are generally expected to have long-term on-the-job training. About 36% of retail and wholesale buyers hold a bachelor's degree or better. Currently 36% of workers have some college education, though not a degree. About 28% of employees were able to get their jobs with a high-school diploma.
Job Overview
Retail and wholesale buyers are responsible for purchasing the goods and services that a company or institution needs for its own use. They buy goods, such as clothing or electronics. They take into account the price, quality, availability, reliability and technical support while choosing suppliers and merchandise and trying to get the best deal for their company. For this, they have to study sales records and inventory levels of current stocks, spot foreign and domestic suppliers and keep notice of changes affecting both the supply and demand of required products and materials. To be successful, retail and wholesale buyers must have a working technical knowledge of the goods or services that they are required to purchase.
Job Requirements
New employees must learn the details of their employer’s business and must know how to use word processing and spreadsheet software and the Internet. Other important qualities include the ability to analyze technical data in suppliers’ proposals, good communication and mathematical skills, knowledge of supply-chain management and the ability to perform financial analyses. Retail and wholesale buyers should have good planning and decision-making skills, and possess an interest in merchandising. Marketing skills and the ability to identify products that will sell also are very important.
Nature of Work
Retail and wholesale buyers are a vital part of a system of distribution and merchandising that caters to the vast range of consumer needs and desires. In retail firms, buyers purchase goods from wholesale firms or directly from manufacturers to resell to the public. Evaluating suppliers is one of the most critical functions of retail and wholesale buyers.
Retail and wholesale buyers mostly work in comfortable offices and often work more than the standard 40-hour week because of special sales, conferences or production deadlines. Evening and weekend work is also common. Since retail and wholesale buyers often work under great pressure, stamina to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the work is crucial.
Area Job Conditions
Retail and wholesale buyers are relatively common in Fayetteville (Arkansas), Prescott (Arizona), and Framingham (Massachusetts). They are rarer in Charleston (West Virginia), Palm Bay (Florida), and Fayetteville (North Carolina).
Workers are paid highest in Austin (Texas), Nassau (New York), and Spartanburg (South Carolina), and lowest in Charlottesville (Virginia), Burlington (North Carolina), and Fond du Lac (Wisconsin).
Part-Time and Self Employment
About 16% of retail and wholesale buyers work less than full-time. In 12% of the cases, workers work for themselves.
Career Videos
Retail and Wholesale Buyers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $55,000 | 330 | -19% |
| Dothan | $47,000 | 30 | -30% |
| Huntsville | $43,000 | 60 | -64% |
| Mobile | $35,000 | 100 | -29% |
| Montgomery | $50,000 | 90 | -31% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $53,000 | 140 | +5% |
| Fairbanks | $54,000 | 40 | +79% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingman | $25,000 | 60 | +76% |
| Phoenix | $65,000 | 1,760 | +20% |
| Prescott | $52,000 | 160 | +304% |
| Tucson | $42,000 | 280 | 0% |
| Yuma | $40,000 | 40 | -2% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $57,000 | 1,600 | +877% |
| Fort Smith | $47,000 | 50 | -48% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $57,000 | 120 | -43% |
| Chico | $41,000 | 50 | -4% |
| Fresno | $51,000 | 140 | -46% |
| Los Angeles | $53,000 | 4,540 | +34% |
| Modesto | $48,000 | 120 | -3% |
| Oakland | $58,000 | 1,670 | +101% |
| Oxnard | $54,000 | 240 | -1% |
| Redding | $47,000 | 40 | -10% |
| Riverside | $48,000 | 850 | -15% |
| Sacramento | $63,000 | 560 | -22% |
| Salinas | $65,000 | 90 | -29% |
| San Diego | $60,000 | 1,080 | -1% |
| San Francisco | $64,000 | 990 | +20% |
| San Jose | $55,000 | 820 | +10% |
| San Luis Obispo | $44,000 | 70 | -2% |
| Santa Ana | $57,000 | 1,560 | +29% |
| Santa Barbara | $52,000 | 100 | -25% |
| Santa Cruz | $59,000 | 160 | +141% |
| Santa Rosa | $49,000 | 200 | +44% |
| Stockton | $62,000 | 110 | -35% |
| Vallejo | $51,000 | 50 | -47% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $48,000 | 110 | -10% |
| Colorado Springs | 110 | -46% | |
| Denver | $54,000 | 780 | -25% |
| Fort Collins | $43,000 | 60 | -39% |
| Greeley | $59,000 | 40 | -27% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 440 | +25% | |
| Danbury | $52,000 | 90 | +76% |
| Hartford | $64,000 | 280 | -41% |
| New Haven | $64,000 | 180 | -19% |
| Norwich | 40 | -58% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dover | $61,000 | 30 | -20% |
| Wilmington | $48,000 | 200 | -25% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $58,000 | 1,140 | -44% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $46,000 | 40 | -74% |
| Deltona | $54,000 | 50 | -59% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $63,000 | 450 | -22% |
| Jacksonville | $62,000 | 270 | -46% |
| Lakeland | $60,000 | 140 | -8% |
| Miami | $63,000 | 1,080 | +32% |
| Naples | $46,000 | 80 | -8% |
| Orlando | $58,000 | 450 | -47% |
| Palm Bay | $56,000 | 60 | -62% |
| Pensacola | $53,000 | 50 | -58% |
| Sarasota | $70,000 | 160 | -20% |
| Tampa | $63,000 | 580 | -39% |
| West Palm Beach | $56,000 | 290 | -32% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $62,000 | 1,940 | +0% |
| Augusta | $58,000 | 60 | -64% |
| Columbus | $54,000 | 50 | -42% |
| Gainesville | $45,000 | 70 | +34% |
| Savannah | $50,000 | 30 | -75% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $41,000 | 730 | +101% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $45,000 | 230 | +8% |
| Coeur Dalene | $36,000 | 30 | -19% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $49,000 | 30 | -43% |
| Champaign | $45,000 | 50 | -37% |
| Chicago | $58,000 | 1,820 | -42% |
| Rockford | $62,000 | 90 | -19% |
| Springfield | $51,000 | 60 | -28% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $40,000 | 40 | -24% |
| Elkhart | $46,000 | 80 | -5% |
| Evansville | $49,000 | 60 | -56% |
| Fort Wayne | $47,000 | 140 | -15% |
| Gary | $44,000 | 130 | -41% |
| Indianapolis | $51,000 | 550 | -26% |
| Michigan City | $44,000 | 30 | +3% |
| South Bend | $46,000 | 60 | -41% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $52,000 | 60 | -45% |
| Davenport | $42,000 | 140 | -6% |
| Des Moines | $46,000 | 260 | -4% |
| Dubuque | $49,000 | 30 | -23% |
| Iowa City | $45,000 | 50 | -6% |
| Waterloo | $49,000 | 110 | +68% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | $31,000 | 80 | +110% |
| Topeka | $47,000 | 70 | -19% |
| Wichita | $47,000 | 350 | +49% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $69,000 | 110 | -44% |
| Louisville | $50,000 | 220 | -56% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $40,000 | 120 | -61% |
| Lafayette | $45,000 | 70 | -38% |
| Monroe | $53,000 | 40 | -31% |
| New Orleans | $51,000 | 260 | -41% |
| Shreveport | $51,000 | 90 | -37% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | $44,000 | 40 | -12% |
| Lewiston | $45,000 | 50 | +36% |
| Portland | $60,000 | 270 | +67% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $66,000 | 1,120 | +2% |
| Bethesda | $66,000 | 430 | -10% |
| Hagerstown | $39,000 | 60 | -20% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $58,000 | 150 | +95% |
| Boston | $56,000 | 1,620 | +11% |
| Brockton | $64,000 | 230 | +233% |
| Framingham | $66,000 | 330 | +153% |
| Haverhill | $57,000 | 60 | -4% |
| Lawrence | $52,000 | 60 | +36% |
| Leominster | $63,000 | 50 | +39% |
| Lowell | $61,000 | 120 | +27% |
| New Bedford | $49,000 | 100 | +107% |
| Peabody | $55,000 | 100 | +27% |
| Pittsfield | $66,000 | 40 | +78% |
| Springfield | $48,000 | 330 | +35% |
| Taunton | $67,000 | 60 | +86% |
| Worcester | $58,000 | 190 | -7% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $51,000 | 310 | -44% |
| Grand Rapids | $54,000 | 340 | +9% |
| Holland | $49,000 | 50 | -33% |
| Lansing | $42,000 | 80 | -50% |
| Muskegon | $52,000 | 30 | -27% |
| Warren | $57,000 | 400 | -56% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $43,000 | 80 | -22% |
| Mankato | $38,000 | 60 | +45% |
| Minneapolis | $65,000 | 2,480 | +67% |
| St Cloud | $48,000 | 80 | +8% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $54,000 | 160 | -22% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $45,000 | 40 | +25% |
| Columbia | $37,000 | 100 | +64% |
| Jefferson City | $36,000 | 40 | -28% |
| Joplin | $46,000 | 50 | -17% |
| Kansas City | $51,000 | 1,280 | +51% |
| Springfield | $42,000 | 310 | +102% |
| St Joseph | $37,000 | 40 | +8% |
| St Louis | $47,000 | 1,680 | +51% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $40,000 | 70 | +9% |
| Missoula | $41,000 | 70 | +83% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $49,000 | 100 | -22% |
| Omaha | $50,000 | 350 | -10% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $49,000 | 520 | -26% |
| Reno | $61,000 | 200 | +30% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $46,000 | 70 | -13% |
| Nashua | $49,000 | 110 | +1% |
| Portsmouth | $62,000 | 60 | +41% |
| Rochester | $48,000 | 50 | +27% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $62,000 | 90 | -22% |
| Camden | $57,000 | 560 | +29% |
| Edison | $65,000 | 1,380 | +61% |
| Newark | $70,000 | 830 | 0% |
| Trenton | $74,000 | 160 | -13% |
| Vineland | $62,000 | 40 | -10% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $44,000 | 440 | +39% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $53,000 | 260 | -30% |
| Binghamton | $45,000 | 50 | -43% |
| Buffalo | $62,000 | 520 | +13% |
| Kingston | $49,000 | 50 | +12% |
| Nassau | $66,000 | 1,790 | +69% |
| New York | $72,000 | 6,950 | +60% |
| Poughkeepsie | $69,000 | 200 | 0% |
| Rochester | $46,000 | 430 | +3% |
| Syracuse | $51,000 | 250 | -3% |
| Utica | $43,000 | 80 | -18% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $47,000 | 90 | -37% |
| Charlotte | $61,000 | 1,180 | +65% |
| Durham | $45,000 | 150 | -33% |
| Fayetteville | $52,000 | 50 | -50% |
| Greensboro | $44,000 | 180 | -39% |
| Greenville | $46,000 | 30 | -41% |
| Hickory | $60,000 | 140 | +20% |
| Raleigh | $48,000 | 380 | -11% |
| Wilmington | $57,000 | 70 | -35% |
| Winston Salem | $49,000 | 160 | -6% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $53,000 | 90 | +84% |
| Fargo | $47,000 | 130 | +36% |
| Grand Forks | $54,000 | 30 | -14% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $54,000 | 380 | +44% |
| Canton | $48,000 | 80 | -40% |
| Cincinnati | $50,000 | 820 | -3% |
| Cleveland | $54,000 | 850 | 0% |
| Columbus | $64,000 | 940 | +23% |
| Dayton | $51,000 | 240 | -24% |
| Lima | $53,000 | 50 | +31% |
| Sandusky | $52,000 | 30 | +23% |
| Toledo | $46,000 | 110 | -54% |
| Youngstown | $54,000 | 200 | +9% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $45,000 | 320 | -33% |
| Tulsa | $47,000 | 410 | +15% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $38,000 | 240 | +116% |
| Medford | $45,000 | 110 | +87% |
| Portland | $49,000 | 1,370 | +61% |
| Salem | $42,000 | 200 | +69% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $51,000 | 400 | +40% |
| Altoona | $44,000 | 70 | +55% |
| Erie | $51,000 | 120 | +19% |
| Harrisburg | $53,000 | 310 | +18% |
| Johnstown | $42,000 | 60 | +45% |
| Lancaster | $53,000 | 290 | +52% |
| Philadelphia | $63,000 | 1,960 | +23% |
| Pittsburgh | $64,000 | 1,490 | +56% |
| Scranton | $44,000 | 280 | +32% |
| State College | $52,000 | 40 | -14% |
| Williamsport | $55,000 | 40 | +6% |
| York | $57,000 | 190 | +34% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $59,000 | 320 | -31% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $50,000 | 220 | -6% |
| Columbia | $64,000 | 360 | +25% |
| Florence | $41,000 | 40 | -34% |
| Greenville | $55,000 | 150 | -39% |
| Myrtle Beach | $36,000 | 80 | -6% |
| Spartanburg | $65,000 | 90 | 0% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $45,000 | 30 | -37% |
| Sioux Falls | $45,000 | 110 | 0% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $51,000 | 110 | -40% |
| Jackson | $42,000 | 50 | +15% |
| Johnson City | $52,000 | 40 | -26% |
| Kingsport | $48,000 | 50 | -48% |
| Knoxville | $53,000 | 210 | -23% |
| Memphis | $58,000 | 450 | -12% |
| Nashville | $52,000 | 460 | -25% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amarillo | $44,000 | 50 | -40% |
| Austin | $56,000 | 530 | -19% |
| Beaumont | $53,000 | 60 | -53% |
| Brownsville | $32,000 | 60 | -42% |
| Corpus Christi | $54,000 | 80 | -44% |
| Dallas | $59,000 | 2,520 | +44% |
| El Paso | $58,000 | 100 | -55% |
| Fort Worth | $57,000 | 990 | +37% |
| Houston | $64,000 | 1,990 | -10% |
| Killeen | $52,000 | 40 | -61% |
| Laredo | $55,000 | 60 | +1% |
| Longview | $35,000 | 40 | -46% |
| Lubbock | $50,000 | 80 | -19% |
| Mcallen | $43,000 | 110 | -41% |
| Midland | $58,000 | 40 | -15% |
| Odessa | $57,000 | 40 | -4% |
| San Antonio | $46,000 | 540 | -26% |
| Tyler | $49,000 | 40 | -42% |
| Waco | $48,000 | 50 | -35% |
| Wichita Falls | $46,000 | 40 | -2% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | $42,000 | 60 | +75% |
| Ogden | $49,000 | 100 | -38% |
| Provo | $48,000 | 80 | -41% |
| Salt Lake City | $54,000 | 660 | +31% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $44,000 | 130 | +49% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $36,000 | 60 | -9% |
| Harrisonburg | $43,000 | 50 | +21% |
| Lynchburg | $54,000 | 70 | -8% |
| Richmond | $50,000 | 500 | -2% |
| Roanoke | $47,000 | 180 | +45% |
| Virginia Beach | $62,000 | 470 | -26% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $55,000 | 50 | -10% |
| Bremerton | $49,000 | 40 | -37% |
| Kennewick | $48,000 | 50 | -35% |
| Mount Vernon | $70,000 | 30 | -6% |
| Olympia | $35,000 | 30 | -61% |
| Seattle | $66,000 | 1,520 | +30% |
| Spokane | $47,000 | 210 | +27% |
| Tacoma | $45,000 | 190 | -12% |
| Yakima | $45,000 | 40 | -37% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $39,000 | 50 | -57% |
| Parkersburg | $46,000 | 30 | -41% |
| Wheeling | $40,000 | 70 | +44% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appleton | $44,000 | 70 | -22% |
| Green Bay | $51,000 | 110 | -18% |
| Janesville | $53,000 | 40 | -15% |
| La Crosse | $47,000 | 30 | -45% |
| Milwaukee | $54,000 | 810 | +17% |
| Oshkosh | $48,000 | 70 | +4% |
| Racine | $57,000 | 40 | -29% |