What Does a Procurement Clerk Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a procurement clerk do?

Procurement clerks compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for supplies and track orders. The median pay is $50,580 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -8.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$50,580
$24.32/hour · May 2025
Job growth
-8.1%
2025–35, a projected decline
Openings per year
3,700
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
BLS classification
Time to train
A few months on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
56,900
Employment, 2025

What procurement clerks do

Procurement clerks handle the paperwork side of buying. They prepare purchase orders, request quotes, track deliveries, match invoices to orders, keep supplier records and answer questions about order status. They support buyers and purchasing managers.

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects a decline as e-procurement systems spread.

Typical duties

Prepare purchase orders
Request quotes
Track deliveries
Match invoices to orders
Maintain supplier records
Answer order questions
Update inventory data

Work environment and schedule

Clerks work in offices for companies, hospitals, schools and government.

Schedule: Full-time business hours.

A day in the life

8:00 AMReview purchase requests.
9:00 AMRequest quotes.
10:30 AMCreate purchase orders.
12:00 PMTrack late deliveries.

See a full day in the life of a procurement clerk →

Procurement Clerk salary

Half of procurement clerks earned more than $50,580 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,040 for the lowest 10% to $68,620 for the top 10%.

$38,04010th$50,580Median$68,62090th

Full procurement clerk pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a procurement clerk

Finish high school
Build office skills
Get hired
Learn the ERP
Advance

A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a procurement clerk →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Purchase order processing
ERP systems
Three-way matching
Supplier communication
Data entry

People skills

Organization
Accuracy
Communication
Follow-through

All procurement clerk skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Steady office work
No degree needed
Entry to purchasing careers
Clear tasks

Cons

Declining employment
Repetitive
Chasing late orders
Paperwork

Certifications and licenses

Purchasing fundamentals course: Helpful.
Excel certification: Helpful.
CPSM: Later, for buyers.
ERP training: Helpful.

Career path

Procurement Clerk: Entry.
Buyer: Purchase.
Senior Buyer: Categories.
Purchasing Manager: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Procurement Clerk training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as create an accurate purchase order and do a three-way match, safety and how to land your first job.

View Procurement Clerk training Is this career right for me?

Purchasing Agent

Buy the materials, products and services organizations need at the best value.

$77,710
4 years or experience

Purchasing Manager

Lead the team that buys what an organization needs at the best value.

$148,080
5+ years of experience

Order Clerk

Take and process customer orders and track them to delivery.

$46,170
A few weeks on the job

Billing Clerk

Prepare invoices, post payments and keep customer accounts accurate.

$48,500
A few months on the job

Compare: Procurement Clerk vs. Purchasing Agent · Procurement Clerk vs. Purchasing Manager · Procurement Clerk vs. Order Clerk · Procurement Clerk vs. Billing Clerk

Procurement Clerk FAQ

Do procurement clerks need a degree?

No.

Is the job declining?

BLS projects decline.

Can I become a buyer?

Yes, it’s a common path.

How much does a procurement clerk make?

The median annual wage for procurement clerks was $50,580 ($24.32 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,040 and the highest 10% earned more than $68,620.

How long does it take to become a procurement clerk?

Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.

Do you need a degree to be a procurement clerk?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 43-3061 (Procurement clerks).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Procurement clerks (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Procurement Clerk