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Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products

General Information

Description

Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit87.64%
  2. Self-employed9.64%
  3. Private, not for profit1.70%
  4. State and local government0.51%
  5. Federal government0.27%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

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Salary

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Education

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 34%
  • High school 20%
  • Less than high school 13%
  • Associate's degree 11%
  • Post-secondary certificate 10%
  • Some college 8%
  • Post-master's certificate 1%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Post baccalaureate 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • First professional degree 0%

Related College Majors

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Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Mathematics
  • English Language

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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* Military pay may be higher based on specialty pays or bonuses. Learn more about Military benefits.

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.