Logistics Coordinator
Plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget.
- $82,320
- 1–4 years
Business & Office career
Purchasing Agent
Also called: Buyer · Procurement Specialist · Purchasing Specialist · Sourcing Specialist
What purchasing agents do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a purchasing agent do?
Buyers and purchasing agents find suppliers, request quotes, negotiate prices and contracts, place orders and track deliveries for the goods and services organizations use or resell. The median pay is $77,710 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4 years or experience, and employment is projected to grow +6.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$77,710$37.36/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+6.0%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year47,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4 years or experienceTypical program length
- U.S. jobs516,100Employment, 2025
What purchasing agents do
Purchasing agents make sure organizations have what they need, when they need it, at the right price. They research suppliers, request quotes and proposals, negotiate pricing and terms, issue purchase orders, track deliveries and resolve problems. Retail buyers choose merchandise to sell; industrial buyers purchase raw materials and parts; government buyers follow public procurement rules.
Many purchasing agents have bachelor’s degrees in business or supply chain, but others advance from purchasing clerk, warehouse or production roles. Credentials such as the CPSM or CPPB support advancement into purchasing management and supply chain leadership.
Typical duties
- Identify and evaluate suppliers
- Request quotes and proposals
- Negotiate prices, terms and contracts
- Issue purchase orders
- Track orders and expedite deliveries
- Resolve quality and delivery issues
- Monitor spending and supplier performance
Work environment and schedule
Purchasing agents work in offices at manufacturers, retailers, hospitals, government agencies and other organizations. Some visit suppliers or trade shows.
Schedule: Most work full-time business hours, with occasional travel.
A day in the life
- Review open purchase orders and late deliveries in the ERP system.
- Request quotes from three suppliers for a new part.
- Negotiate a volume discount with a packaging vendor.
- Expedite a delayed shipment for the production line.
See a full day in the life of a purchasing agent →
Purchasing Agent salary
Half of purchasing agents earned more than $77,710 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,380 for the lowest 10% to $128,870 for the top 10%.
Full purchasing agent pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a purchasing agent
- Get education or experience
- Learn the systems
- Build negotiation skills
- Earn credentials
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or a related field is typical, though many buyers start in clerical or operations roles and advance with experience and training.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a purchasing agent →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Supplier sourcing
- Negotiation
- ERP purchasing
- Contract basics
- Cost analysis
People skills
- Negotiation
- Communication
- Analytical thinking
- Relationship building
All purchasing agent skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Negotiation and problem-solving work
- Needed in every industry
- Good pay and advancement
- Remote and hybrid options
Cons
- Pressure when supply problems hit
- Balancing cost, quality and speed
- Detailed paperwork and rules
- Supplier disputes
Certifications and licenses
- Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM): ISM credential for supply management professionals.
- Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB): Credential for government purchasing.
- ASCM CSCP: Certified Supply Chain Professional.
- CIPS qualifications: International procurement credentials.
Career path
- Purchasing Clerk or Assistant Buyer: Process orders and learn suppliers.
- Purchasing Agent or Buyer: Source and negotiate purchases.
- Senior Buyer or Category Manager: Manage categories and strategy.
- Purchasing or Supply Chain Manager: Lead procurement teams.
Learn the job before day one
Our Purchasing Agent training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as run a request for quotation and negotiate with a supplier, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Purchasing Agent vs. Logistics Coordinator · Purchasing Agent vs. Shipping Clerk · Purchasing Agent vs. Wholesale Sales Rep · Purchasing Agent vs. Financial Analyst
Purchasing Agent FAQ
Do purchasing agents need a degree?
Many have one, but experience can substitute.
What certifications help?
The CPSM, CPPB and CSCP.
What industries hire buyers?
Manufacturing, retail, healthcare, government and more.
How much does a purchasing agent make?
The median annual wage for purchasing agents was $77,710 ($37.36 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,380 and the highest 10% earned more than $128,870.
How long does it take to become a purchasing agent?
Most people need about 4 years or experience of training. A bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain or a related field is typical, though many buyers start in clerical or operations roles and advance with experience and training.
Do you need a degree to be a purchasing agent?
Not always. BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical, but many buyers start as purchasing clerks or in warehouse and production roles and advance with experience and credentials such as the CPSM or CPPB.
More purchasing agent questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 13-1020 (Buyers and purchasing agents).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Buyers and purchasing agents (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.