Wholesale and Retail Buyers: Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

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Wholesale and Retail Buyers

Wholesale and Retail Buyers 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.

Salary
$72370
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality



Job description

Wholesale and Retail Buyers 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. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.

  • Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
  • Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
  • Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
  • Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
Read more about what does a Wholesale and Retail Buyer really do at work and what is it like being and working as one.



Salary

Average salary
$67530 per year

Average hourly wage
$32 per hour


Wholesale and Retail Buyers with little to no experience tend to make between $37080 and $47900 while the more experienced ones can earn over $82430 per year.

Top 5 paying states Hourly Annual
DC $47 $98,560
NJ $39 $81,020
VA $37 $77,840
MD $37 $76,870
MA $36 $74,200

One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as a Wholesale and Retail Buyer is to move to a higher paying state like DC. Right now, the highest paying states for Wholesale and Retail Buyers are DC, NJ, VA, MD and MA.

However, a higher pay at DC doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at DC might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.

Three other factors that can increase your salary as a Wholesale and Retail Buyer is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.


Requirements

Recommended degree level
Bachelor’s degree

We asked other Wholesale and Retail Buyers what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a Bachelor’s Degree followed by a High School Diploma.

Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.

Wine Steward/Sommelier
Apparel and Textile Marketing Management
Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General
Merchandising and Buying Operations
General Merchandising, Sales, and Related Marketing Operations, Other
Read more about how to become a Wholesale and Retail Buyer and the degree, training and education you need.

Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of being a Wholesale and Retail Buyer.

PROS
Suitable for people who likes to start and carry out projects
Suitable for people who values achievements and are results-oriented
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Good salary (earns more than 50% of the careers out there)
CONS
Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week)

What is the job like

Job satisfaction
66%

Is this job meaningful
39%


66% of Wholesale and Retail Buyers said they were satisfied with their job and 39% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.


Is this right for me

Best personality for this career
The Entrepreneurs and The Organizers

You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.



Learn more about Wholesale and Retail Buyers

Summary (You are here)
Job Description
Salary
Requirements
Quiz

Related career information

Wholesale and Retail Buyers job description, Wholesale and Retail Buyers salary, Wholesale and Retail Buyers information, what is the job of a Wholesale and Retail Buyer like, pros and cons about Wholesale and Retail Buyers, colleges and universities for Wholesale and Retail Buyers, is Wholesale and Retail Buyers the right career for me, careers in Business and Finance

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