How to become a Purchasing Agent

Official title: Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

Also called: Buyer, Contract Administrator (Contract Admin), Procurement and Contracting Administrator (Procurement and Contracting Admin), Procurement and Contracting Buyer, Procurement Official, Procurement Specialist, Purchasing Administrator (Purchasing Admin), Purchasing Agent, Purchasing and Contracts Coordinator

Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.

Main tasks

• Monitor and follow applicable laws and regulations.
• Purchase the highest quality merchandise at the lowest possible price and in correct amounts.
• Formulate policies and procedures for bid proposals and procurement of goods and services.
• Prepare purchase orders, solicit bid proposals, and review requisitions for goods and services.
• Write and review product specifications, maintaining a working technical knowledge of the goods or services to be purchased.
• Analyze price proposals, financial reports, and other data and information to determine reasonable prices.
• Hire, train, or supervise purchasing clerks, buyers, and expediters.
• Research and evaluate suppliers, based on price, quality, selection, service, support, availability, reliability, production and distribution capabilities, and the supplier's reputation and history.

How to become one

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents typically need a bachelor's degree, although some employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma. Purchasing managers also need several years of related work experience.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Purchasing Agent.
• Apprenticeship: Subcontract Administrator.
• Apprenticeship: Subcontract Administrator Assoc..
• College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook

• About 516,100 people work in this job now, and about 547,000 are projected by 2035. (+6%)

Related jobs

• Buyers and Purchasing Agents, Farm Products
• Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
• Human Resources Specialists
• Farm Labor Contractors
• Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
• Business Continuity Planners

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Purchasing Agent?

Purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents typically need a bachelor's degree, although some employers hire candidates who have a high school diploma. Purchasing managers also need several years of related work experience.

Is a Purchasing Agent a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 516,100 to about 547,000 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Purchasing Agent?

Not always. 43% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees; Purchasing Agent.

Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.