Purchasing Agents

Also Called: Buyer, Procurement Official, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Agent

Bachelor's Degree

usually needed

Not Available
(Students Only)
Match Percentage

$43,680

Entry Salary

Below Average

Job outlook

What Purchasing Agents 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.

  • Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
  • Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
  • Negotiate, renegotiate, and administer contracts with suppliers, vendors, and other representatives.
Industry Areas:

Retail Sales and Services

Training Program Areas:

OCT-Only Retail Sales & Service • Retail Sales

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Electronic Mail
  • Telephone
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Duration of Typical Work Week

Tools

  • Photocopiers
  • Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers
  • Notebook computers
  • Desktop computers
  • Special purpose telephones

Technology

Enterprise resource planning ERP software
Microsoft Dynamics GP
NetSuite ERP
Word processing software
Google Docs
Microsoft Word
Data base user interface and query software
Data entry software
Oracle software

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Negotiation
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Speaking

Knowledge

Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
management
customer service
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Safety and Government
law and government

Education

  • 78% Bachelor's degree
  • 9% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 9% Post-baccalaureate certificate

Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

What are some related occupations at different educational levels?


Job Training Match

Bookkeeping, Accounting, & Auditing Clerks

Educational Level

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage

Educational Level

Post-secondary, non-degree

Education & Childcare Administrators, Preschool & Daycare

Educational Level

Associate's Degree

 Job Training Match

Purchasing Agents Currently Selected

Educational Level

Bachelor's Degree

Farm & Home Management Educators

Educational Level

Advanced Degree

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Advanced Training

There are currently no advanced training opportunities for this career.

ACT & College

  • Adirondack Community College

    Queensbury, NY

  • Aiken Technical College

    Graniteville, SC

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Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

    • Conventional (Organizer)
    • Enterprising (Persuader)

Work Styles

  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Initiative

Values

  • Working Conditions
  • Independence
  • Support

Abilities

  • Verbal
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Math

This is what Purchasing Agents across the country typically make.

$21.00 / hour
$43,680 /year

Entry Level

$34.59 / hour
$71,950 /year

Median Level

$58.50 / hour
$121,680 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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