How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do buyers and purchasing agents make?

The US median is $77,710 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

283 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Buyers and purchasing agents: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Business & finance · SOC 13-1020

$77,710US median pay, 2025

+6%Projected growth, 2025–35

47,200Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Work in: buyers and purchasing agents

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General	CIP 52.1801	135
Fashion Merchandising	CIP 52.1902	83
Apparel and Textile Marketing Management	CIP 19.0905	39
Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management	CIP 52.0202	35
General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other	CIP 52.1899	13
Agricultural/Farm Supplies Retailing and Wholesaling	CIP 01.0105	11
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations	CIP 52.1904	9
Merchandising and Buying Operations	CIP 52.1802	4
Wine Steward/Sommelier	CIP 12.0510	2

See the 283 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree, then a few months to a year of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do buyers and purchasing agents make?: The US median is $77,710 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 283 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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