Details Report for:
13-1023.00 - Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
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.
Sample of reported job titles: Buyer, Procurement Official, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Administrator, Purchasing Agent
Tasks | Technology Skills | Tools Used | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Work Activities | Detailed Work Activities | Work Context | Job Zone | Education | Credentials | Interests | Work Styles | Work Values | Related Occupations | Wages & Employment | Job Openings | Additional Information
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Core | |
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69 ![]() ![]() |
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63 ![]() ![]() |
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59 ![]() ![]() |
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56 ![]() ![]() |
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56 ![]() ![]() |
Core | |
54 ![]() ![]() |
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50 ![]() ![]() |
Core |
Technology Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Accounting software — Choice Job Cost; Cost accounting software; CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator; Intuit QuickBooks
- Analytical or scientific software — Construction Management Software ProEst; QSM SLIM; Resources Calculations Incorporated SoftCost; WinEstimator WinEst
- Business intelligence and data analysis software — IBM Cognos Impromptu
; MicroStrategy
- Data base reporting software — SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports; Software AG
- Data base user interface and query software — Data entry software
; Microsoft Access
; Oracle software
; Sage 100 Contractor (see all 7 examples)
- Document management software — Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Electronic mail software — IBM Notes
; Microsoft Outlook
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software — Microsoft Dynamics GP
; NetSuite ERP
; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
; Oracle PeopleSoft
(see all 9 examples)
- Enterprise system management software — IBM Power Systems software
- Financial analysis software — Cost estimation software; IBM Costimater; Oracle E-Business Suite Financials; Softstar Costar COCOMO II (see all 5 examples)
- Graphics or photo imaging software — Microsoft Visio
; SmugMug Flickr
- Internet browser software — Web browser software
- Inventory management software — Inventory management systems
- Office suite software — Microsoft Office
- Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint
- Project management software — Galorath SEER-SEM; Microsoft Project
; Microsoft SharePoint
; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
(see all 5 examples)
- Sales and marketing software — Google AdWords
- Spreadsheet software — Apple AppleWorks; Corel QuattroPro; IBM Lotus 1-2-3; Microsoft Excel
- Word processing software — Google Docs
; Microsoft Word
Hot Technology — a technology requirement frequently included in employer job postings.
Tools Used Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Desktop calculator — 10-key calculators
- Desktop computers
- Laser fax machine — Laser facsimile machines
- Notebook computers — Laptop computers
- Personal computers
- Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Personal digital assistants PDA
- Photocopiers — Photocopying equipment
- Scanners
- Special purpose telephones — Multi-line telephone systems
- Tablet computers
Knowledge Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Knowledge |
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78 ![]() ![]() |
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75 ![]() ![]() |
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72 ![]() ![]() |
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71 ![]() ![]() |
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68 ![]() ![]() |
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10 ![]() ![]() |
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10 ![]() ![]() |
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7 ![]() ![]() |
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6 ![]() ![]() |
Skills Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Skill |
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---|---|---|
75 ![]() ![]() |
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75 ![]() ![]() |
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72 ![]() ![]() |
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72 ![]() ![]() |
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3 ![]() ![]() |
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0 ![]() |
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0 ![]() |
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0 ![]() |
Abilities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
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Work Activity |
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87 ![]() ![]() |
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84 ![]() ![]() |
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83 ![]() ![]() |
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82 ![]() ![]() |
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Detailed Work Activities Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- Purchase products or services.
- Evaluate applicable laws and regulations to determine impact on organizational activities.
- Execute sales or other financial transactions.
- Negotiate contracts with clients or service providers.
- Analyze business or financial data.
- Establish organizational guidelines or policies.
- Monitor inventories of products or materials.
- Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.
- Obtain information about goods or services.
- Maintain data in information systems or databases.
- Supervise employees.
- Train personnel to enhance job skills.
- Monitor organizational processes.
- Develop technical specifications for systems or equipment.
- Analyze market conditions or trends.
- Conduct eligibility or selection interviews.
- Estimate demand for products or services.
- Pay charges, fees, or taxes.
- Develop business relationships.
Find occupations related to multiple detailed work activities
Work Context Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Job Zone Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Title | Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed |
Education | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
Related 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. |
Job Training | Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. |
Job Zone Examples | Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators. |
SVP Range | (7.0 to < 8.0) |
Education
Interests Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Occupational Interest |
Interest |
|
---|---|---|
95 ![]() ![]() |
||
89 ![]() ![]() |
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45 ![]() ![]() |
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. ![]() |
|
28 ![]() ![]() |
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17 ![]() ![]() |
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0 ![]() |
Work Styles Save Table (XLS/CSV)
![]() Importance |
Work Style |
|
---|---|---|
98 ![]() ![]() |
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89 ![]() ![]() |
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88 ![]() ![]() |
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Related Occupations Save Table (XLS/CSV)
11-3061.00 | Purchasing Managers |
11-3071.00 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers |
11-3071.04 | Supply Chain Managers |
13-1051.00 | Cost Estimators |
13-1081.00 | Logisticians |
13-1081.02 | Logistics Analysts |
13-1111.00 | Management Analysts ![]() |
41-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers |
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wage data for Buyers and Purchasing Agents.
Employment data for Buyers and Purchasing Agents.
Industry data for Buyers and Purchasing Agents.
Median wages (2019) | $30.95 hourly, $64,380 annual |
State wages | |
Local wages | |
Employment (2019) | 449,300 employees |
Projected growth (2019-2029) | ![]() |
Projected job openings (2019-2029) | 36,000 |
State trends | |
Top industries (2019) | Manufacturing (23% employed in this sector)
Wholesale Trade (14%)
Government (13%)
|
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2019 wage data
and 2019-2029 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2019-2029). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.