What Buyers and Purchasing Agents do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products this way: "Purchase farm products either for further processing or resale. Includes tree farm contractors, grain brokers and market operators, grain buyers, and tobacco buyers. May negotiate contracts."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Purchase, for further processing or for resale, farm products, such as milk, grains, or Christmas trees"; "Negotiate contracts with farmers for the production or purchase of farm products"; "Arrange for processing or resale of purchased products"; "Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products"; "Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand".
BLS publishes one pay figure for a group of related occupations here. The group covers Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products, Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products and Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products, so the wage numbers on this page describe all of them together.
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Buyers and Purchasing Agents
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 516,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 547,000 in 2035, an increase of 30,900 jobs (+6%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 47,200 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.1% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $77,710, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Buyers and Purchasing Agents earn the most
Across the 21 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $72,892 in Florida to $104,880 in District of Columbia, a gap of $31,988 (1.44 times). 12 of those 21 states average above the BLS national median of $77,710 and 9 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 45,960, which is 9.6% of the 479,340 counted across them. Texas follows with 41,330.
Highest-paying states
District of Columbia ($104,880), West Virginia ($101,641) and Maryland ($94,038) lead the ranking, while Florida ($72,892) and Georgia ($73,557) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Buyers and Purchasing Agents: pay against the cost of living
We compare 24 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $58,442. The smallest margin is $22,323 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 24 of the 24 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 16.1% and 51.8% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Buyers and Purchasing Agents
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (13-1000) include Management Analysts, Project Management Specialists, Logisticians and Compliance Officers.
Frequently asked questions about Buyers and Purchasing Agents
What is the national median wage for Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $77,710. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $72,892 to $104,880.
Which state pays Buyers and Purchasing Agents the most?
District of Columbia, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $104,880. West Virginia is next at $101,641.
What is the job outlook for Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
BLS projects employment to grow by 6% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 47,200 openings a year.
What education do Buyers and Purchasing Agents need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Buyers and Purchasing Agents afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $58,442 on a median wage of $104,880.