Business and finance
Buyers and purchasing agents
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.
Median pay
$77,710
Growth to 2035
+6%
faster than average
Openings a year
47,200
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Buyers and purchasing agents
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Buyers and purchasing agents: 52% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Maintain records of business transactions and product inventories, reporting data to companies or government agencies as necessary.
- Review orders to determine product types and quantities required to meet demand.
- Arrange for transportation or storage of purchased products.
- Coordinate or direct activities of workers engaged in cutting, transporting, storing, or milling products and maintaining records.
- Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
- Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
Also called: Buyer · Cattle Buyer · Grain Buyer · Grain Market Advisor · Grain Marketing Advisor · Grain Merchandiser · Grain Origination Specialist · Produce Broker
Outlook and AI
Buyers and purchasing agents held 516,100 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 547,000 by 2035 (+6%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Demand change - share increases as supply chains become more complex and additional service contracts are needed.
Compare with
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Purchasing manager
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Logistician
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Procurement clerk
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Sales manager
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Brokerage clerk
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Real estate sales agent
- Buyers and purchasing agents vs. Compliance officer