Retail and Wholesale Buyers 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.
Retail and Wholesale Buyers 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.
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.
Retail and Wholesale Buyers Jobs and Outlook
According to research, little or no job growth is expected in the next ten years. Opportunities will be best for individuals with a bachelors degree. In government and in large companies, opportunities will be best for those with a masters degree. Employment is the highest in the following industries:
- Grocery and Related Product Wholesalers
- Grocery Stores
- Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers
- Management of Companies and Enterprises
- Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers
The mean hourly wage for retail and wholesale buyers in the US is about $25.76, while the mean annual wages are around $53,580.
Job Numbers and Growth Retail and wholesale buyers nationally number 157,000. The unemployment level for workers is low, compared to other occupations. About 3% of employees were unemployed recently. 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). 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. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career. Part-Time Work and Self-Employment About 16% of retail and wholesale buyers work less than full-time. In 12% of the cases, workers work for themselves.
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 | $52,000 | 350 | -35% | | Dothan | $44,000 | 30 | -45% | | Huntsville | $45,000 | 170 | -18% | | Mobile | $56,000 | 130 | -28% | | Montgomery | $47,000 | 110 | -35% | | Tuscaloosa | $38,000 | 50 | -41% |
Alaska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Anchorage | $54,000 | 180 | +13% |
Arizona | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Kingman | $31,000 | 40 | -13% | | Phoenix | $68,000 | 2,460 | +28% | | Prescott | $51,000 | 180 | +216% | | Tucson | $45,000 | 380 | +1% |
Arkansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Fayetteville | $58,000 | 1,690 | +759% | | Fort Smith | $42,000 | 80 | -30% | | Little Rock | $57,000 | 440 | +28% |
California | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bakersfield | $51,000 | 160 | -40% | | Chico | $36,000 | 40 | -38% | | Fresno | $47,000 | 180 | -47% | | Modesto | $50,000 | 80 | -51% | | Oakland | $55,000 | 1,830 | +72% | | Oxnard | $56,000 | 290 | -4% | | Redding | $50,000 | 30 | -51% | | Riverside | $47,000 | 1,460 | +10% | | Sacramento | $58,000 | 830 | -9% | | Salinas | $57,000 | 120 | -21% | | San Diego | $57,000 | 1,470 | +6% | | San Francisco | $57,000 | 1,460 | +41% | | San Jose | $65,000 | 1,280 | +34% | | San Luis Obispo | $49,000 | 120 | +27% | | Santa Ana | $57,000 | 1,920 | +21% | | Santa Barbara | $47,000 | 110 | -34% | | Santa Cruz | $63,000 | 130 | +57% | | Santa Rosa | $57,000 | 350 | +92% | | Stockton | $54,000 | 130 | -39% | | Vallejo | $48,000 | 150 | +27% | | Visalia | $49,000 | 90 | -31% | | Yuba City | $55,000 | 40 | +18% |
Colorado | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boulder | $64,000 | 150 | -5% | | Denver | $59,000 | 1,130 | -13% | | Fort Collins | $65,000 | 140 | +20% | | Pueblo | $52,000 | 40 | -17% |
Connecticut | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bridgeport | $59,000 | 370 | -17% | | Danbury | $47,000 | 80 | +21% | | Hartford | $52,000 | 380 | -36% | | New Haven | $51,000 | 210 | -26% | | Norwich | $54,000 | 50 | -59% |
Delaware | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Dover | $46,000 | 40 | -19% | | Wilmington | $51,000 | 220 | -34% |
District of Columbia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Washington | $55,000 | 1,690 | -30% |
Florida | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Cape Coral | $52,000 | 100 | -52% | | Deltona | $45,000 | 60 | -61% | | Fort Lauderdale | $57,000 | 400 | -47% | | Jacksonville | $54,000 | 350 | -44% | | Lakeland | $59,000 | 490 | +154% | | Miami | $50,000 | 1,540 | +50% | | Naples | $55,000 | 70 | -40% | | Ocala | $41,000 | 70 | -22% | | Orlando | $57,000 | 940 | -13% | | Palm Bay | $43,000 | 50 | -74% | | Pensacola | $48,000 | 100 | -32% | | Port St Lucie | $44,000 | 50 | -59% | | Sarasota | $58,000 | 240 | -9% | | Tallahassee | $43,000 | 70 | -56% | | Tampa | $68,000 | 690 | -45% | | West Palm Beach | $54,000 | 400 | -27% |
Georgia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Athens | $56,000 | 30 | -57% | | Atlanta | $56,000 | 2,740 | +11% | | Augusta | $52,000 | 100 | -51% | | Columbus | $38,000 | 50 | -52% | | Gainesville | $45,000 | 80 | +23% | | Macon | $46,000 | 40 | -58% | | Savannah | $57,000 | 80 | -45% |
Hawaii | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Honolulu | $41,000 | 920 | +106% |
Idaho | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Boise | $42,000 | 380 | +40% |
Illinois | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Champaign | $56,000 | 90 | +1% | | Chicago | $54,000 | 3,610 | -9% | | Kankakee | $54,000 | 60 | +83% | | Peoria | $57,000 | 110 | -34% | | Rockford | $51,000 | 100 | -33% | | Springfield | $51,000 | 80 | -19% |
Indiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bloomington | $37,000 | 60 | -6% | | Elkhart | $45,000 | 130 | +4% | | Evansville | $52,000 | 100 | -42% | | Fort Wayne | $42,000 | 210 | -1% | | Gary | $42,000 | 180 | -36% | | Indianapolis | $53,000 | 600 | -35% | | Michigan City | $51,000 | 80 | +111% | | South Bend | $49,000 | 120 | -10% |
Iowa | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $58,000 | 160 | +22% | | Davenport | $49,000 | 200 | +10% | | Des Moines | $48,000 | 310 | -7% | | Dubuque | $64,000 | 40 | -13% | | Iowa City | $45,000 | 50 | -25% | | Waterloo | $38,000 | 70 | -13% |
Kansas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Topeka | $45,000 | 90 | -15% | | Wichita | $43,000 | 410 | +33% |
Kentucky | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bowling Green | $46,000 | 60 | +15% | | Lexington | $59,000 | 110 | -55% | | Louisville | $49,000 | 230 | -64% |
Louisiana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Baton Rouge | $74,000 | 390 | +4% | | Lafayette | $39,000 | 80 | -43% | | Monroe | $50,000 | 70 | -4% | | New Orleans | $46,000 | 310 | -41% | | Shreveport | $46,000 | 120 | -31% |
Maine | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bangor | $46,000 | 60 | +2% | | Lewiston | $36,000 | 50 | +14% | | Portland | $49,000 | 260 | +29% |
Maryland | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Baltimore | $57,000 | 1,110 | -18% | | Bethesda | $58,000 | 520 | -12% | | Hagerstown | $38,000 | 40 | -58% |
Massachusetts | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Barnstable Town | $60,000 | 170 | +77% | | Boston | $61,000 | 1,650 | -8% | | Brockton | $61,000 | 230 | +173% | | Framingham | $63,000 | 490 | +206% | | Haverhill | $55,000 | 110 | +53% | | Lawrence | $47,000 | 90 | +73% | | Leominster | $53,000 | 60 | +34% | | Lowell | $55,000 | 180 | +54% | | New Bedford | $55,000 | 110 | +85% | | Pittsfield | $60,000 | 40 | +41% | | Springfield | $48,000 | 420 | +38% | | Taunton | $57,000 | 120 | +192% | | Worcester | $65,000 | 190 | -24% |
Michigan | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Ann Arbor | $43,000 | 120 | -27% | | Battle Creek | $64,000 | 30 | -31% | | Detroit | $67,000 | 450 | -38% | | Flint | $54,000 | 50 | -63% | | Grand Rapids | $60,000 | 520 | +35% | | Holland | $45,000 | 110 | +13% | | Jackson | $40,000 | 40 | -15% | | Kalamazoo | $52,000 | 110 | -17% | | Lansing | $44,000 | 190 | -1% | | Niles | $41,000 | 90 | +58% | | Saginaw | $47,000 | 60 | -16% | | Warren | $68,000 | 830 | -31% |
Minnesota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Duluth | $42,000 | 210 | +70% | | Minneapolis | $62,000 | 2,980 | +61% | | Rochester | $47,000 | 40 | -55% | | St Cloud | $52,000 | 110 | +13% |
Mississippi | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Jackson | $53,000 | 200 | -22% |
Missouri | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Columbia | $31,000 | 100 | +30% | | Jefferson City | $40,000 | 80 | +26% | | Joplin | $35,000 | 50 | -33% | | Kansas City | $51,000 | 1,240 | +16% | | Springfield | $44,000 | 390 | +101% | | St Louis | $52,000 | 2,030 | +45% |
Montana | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Billings | $44,000 | 130 | +71% | | Great Falls | $58,000 | 40 | +35% | | Missoula | $39,000 | 120 | +157% |
Nebraska | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Lincoln | $50,000 | 190 | +18% | | Omaha | $51,000 | 530 | +12% |
Nevada | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Las Vegas | $60,000 | 940 | -2% | | Reno | | 380 | +84% |
New Hampshire | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Manchester | $58,000 | 70 | -30% | | Nashua | $65,000 | 180 | +33% | | Portsmouth | $50,000 | 30 | -41% | | Rochester | $47,000 | 40 | -23% |
New Jersey | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Atlantic City | $56,000 | 80 | -45% | | Camden | $54,000 | 580 | +7% | | Edison | $62,000 | 1,730 | +62% | | Newark | $62,000 | 1,530 | +47% | | Ocean City | $49,000 | 60 | +65% | | Trenton | $66,000 | 240 | +12% | | Vineland | $52,000 | 40 | -23% |
New Mexico | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albuquerque | $43,000 | 350 | -12% |
New York | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Albany | $54,000 | 450 | +0% | | Binghamton | $49,000 | 90 | -12% | | Buffalo | $60,000 | 440 | -20% | | Kingston | $49,000 | 30 | -45% | | Nassau | $68,000 | 1,590 | +22% | | New York | $73,000 | 7,140 | +34% | | Poughkeepsie | $66,000 | 230 | -4% | | Rochester | $48,000 | 330 | -36% | | Syracuse | $50,000 | 420 | +34% | | Utica | $51,000 | 60 | -51% |
North Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Asheville | $39,000 | 130 | -26% | | Burlington | $34,000 | 30 | -44% | | Charlotte | $60,000 | 680 | -26% | | Durham | $41,000 | 230 | -17% | | Fayetteville | $54,000 | 30 | -75% | | Greensboro | $41,000 | 210 | -45% | | Raleigh | $52,000 | 390 | -26% | | Rocky Mount | $42,000 | 40 | -25% | | Wilmington | $54,000 | 90 | -36% | | Winston Salem | $42,000 | 140 | -35% |
North Dakota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bismarck | $85,000 | 90 | +76% | | Fargo | $69,000 | 130 | +16% |
Ohio | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Akron | $50,000 | 330 | -4% | | Canton | $42,000 | 120 | -30% | | Cincinnati | $49,000 | 830 | -23% | | Cleveland | $50,000 | 750 | -32% | | Columbus | $52,000 | 710 | -26% | | Dayton | $45,000 | 280 | -30% | | Lima | $52,000 | 50 | +6% | | Mansfield | $51,000 | 70 | +50% | | Toledo | $52,000 | 180 | -43% | | Youngstown | $44,000 | 160 | -32% |
Oklahoma | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Oklahoma City | $42,000 | 690 | +19% | | Tulsa | $49,000 | 430 | -4% |
Oregon | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bend | $44,000 | 50 | -21% | | Corvallis | $30,000 | 50 | +90% | | Eugene | $45,000 | 150 | +3% | | Medford | $44,000 | 150 | +89% | | Portland | $50,000 | 2,100 | +96% | | Salem | $46,000 | 110 | -25% |
Pennsylvania | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Allentown | $53,000 | 390 | +13% | | Altoona | | 50 | -8% | | Erie | $42,000 | 90 | -26% | | Harrisburg | $57,000 | 490 | +53% | | Lancaster | $80,000 | 290 | +23% | | Philadelphia | $64,000 | 2,150 | +10% | | Pittsburgh | $55,000 | 1,660 | +41% | | Scranton | $45,000 | 370 | +43% | | Williamsport | $44,000 | 40 | -12% | | York | $55,000 | 250 | +40% |
Rhode Island | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Providence | $54,000 | 520 | -11% |
South Carolina | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Charleston | $53,000 | 270 | -8% | | Columbia | $55,000 | 220 | -38% | | Florence | $40,000 | 50 | -37% | | Greenville | $49,000 | 220 | -29% | | Myrtle Beach | $50,000 | 70 | -39% | | Spartanburg | $74,000 | 80 | -33% |
South Dakota | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Sioux Falls | $43,000 | 100 | -26% |
Tennessee | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Chattanooga | $45,000 | 120 | -49% | | Clarksville | $51,000 | 30 | -57% | | Jackson | $43,000 | 40 | -23% | | Kingsport | $41,000 | 70 | -36% | | Knoxville | $44,000 | 430 | +26% | | Memphis | $54,000 | 530 | -17% | | Nashville | $48,000 | 480 | -39% |
Texas | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Abilene | $37,000 | 40 | -29% | | Amarillo | $48,000 | 70 | -27% | | Austin | $76,000 | 1,060 | +35% | | Beaumont | $58,000 | 80 | -48% | | Brownsville | $42,000 | 100 | -16% | | College Station | $43,000 | 30 | -58% | | Corpus Christi | $52,000 | 130 | -25% | | Dallas | $61,000 | 3,560 | +63% | | El Paso | $46,000 | 180 | -32% | | Fort Worth | $57,000 | 1,050 | +18% | | Houston | $64,000 | 2,920 | +9% | | Killeen | $53,000 | 90 | -22% | | Laredo | $48,000 | 80 | +3% | | Longview | $41,000 | 40 | -55% | | Lubbock | $53,000 | 100 | -15% | | Mcallen | $37,000 | 130 | -41% | | Midland | $50,000 | 50 | -18% | | Odessa | $51,000 | 60 | +18% | | San Angelo | $44,000 | 40 | +13% | | San Antonio | $50,000 | 540 | -38% | | Sherman | $52,000 | 30 | -13% | | Tyler | $43,000 | 90 | +5% | | Waco | $41,000 | 40 | -56% | | Wichita Falls | $35,000 | 60 | +15% |
Utah | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Logan | $53,000 | 30 | -26% | | Ogden | $46,000 | 140 | -30% | | Provo | $56,000 | 120 | -26% | | Salt Lake City | $51,000 | 630 | -2% | | St George | $55,000 | 40 | -7% |
Vermont | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Burlington | $41,000 | 200 | +89% |
Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Charlottesville | $35,000 | 80 | -9% | | Harrisonburg | $52,000 | 40 | -18% | | Lynchburg | $46,000 | 100 | +5% | | Richmond | $56,000 | 770 | +25% | | Roanoke | $57,000 | 120 | -23% | | Virginia Beach | $47,000 | 550 | -29% | | Winchester | $50,000 | 40 | -15% |
Washington | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Bellingham | $39,000 | 130 | +75% | | Bremerton | $63,000 | 50 | -36% | | Kennewick | $48,000 | 30 | -64% | | Olympia | $47,000 | 60 | -32% | | Seattle | $49,000 | 1,660 | +12% | | Spokane | $42,000 | 240 | +15% | | Tacoma | $47,000 | 280 | +3% | | Yakima | $49,000 | 50 | -33% |
West Virginia | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Charleston | $38,000 | 50 | -65% | | Huntington | $40,000 | 60 | -45% | | Morgantown | $73,000 | 30 | -27% | | Wheeling | $50,000 | 50 | -14% |
Wisconsin | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Appleton | $58,000 | 70 | -36% | | Eau Claire | $40,000 | 40 | -44% | | Fond | $39,000 | 40 | +4% | | Green Bay | $43,000 | 100 | -39% | | Janesville | $46,000 | 40 | -33% | | La Crosse | $55,000 | 120 | +89% | | Madison | $46,000 | 240 | -29% | | Milwaukee | $52,000 | 1,000 | +14% | | Oshkosh | $48,000 | 50 | -37% | | Racine | | 40 | -44% | | Wausau | $49,000 | 60 | -3% |
Wyoming | City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|
| Casper | $51,000 | 40 | +21% |
Salary and employment data obtained from the United States Department of Labor. Individual salaries depend on location, education and career background. Thanks to CityTownInfo.com for this retail and wholesale buyer schools and jobs info.
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