A wholesale or retail buyer purchases goods and merchandise for businesses to resell or use. You'll analyze market trends, negotiate with suppliers, and make decisions that directly affect a company's profitability. Most positions require a bachelor's degree.
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Wholesale and retail buyers select and purchase inventory for stores, warehouses, and other businesses. You'll spend time getting information about products and market conditions, communicating with suppliers and internal teams, and working with computers to track inventory and pricing. You'll identify which items will sell, negotiate deals, and monitor stock levels to keep shelves stocked and costs down. Your decisions shape what customers see and what the business earns.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products earn a median of $77,710 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is strong. Employment is projected to grow 6 percent from 2024 to 2034, faster than average for all occupations, with about 52,200 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most wholesale and retail buyer positions require a bachelor's degree. During your studies, focus on sales, marketing, business administration, and mathematics. Develop strong speaking and listening skills, since you'll negotiate with suppliers and present recommendations to leadership. Many buyers start in entry-level roles like assistant buyer or sales associate, then move into full buyer positions as they gain experience and demonstrate their ability to analyze trends and manage inventory effectively.
Most buyers enter through a bachelor's degree program, though some start in retail or warehouse roles and advance over time. The path depends on your timeline and goals, so if you're exploring options, Pathly can map the wholesale and retail buyer, except farm products path that fits you and work through it with your counselor to find the right fit.
Many wholesale and retail buyer, except farm productss must be licensed, and professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
Licensing is handled at the state level and the requirements vary, so check the licensing board in your state. Pathly shows your state's specific steps inside your roadmap.
You're drawn to business strategy and persuasion. You enjoy gathering information, solving problems analytically, and working toward measurable results. You're comfortable with data and numbers, and you thrive in roles where your decisions drive outcomes.
Reading about a career is the easy part. Turning it into a plan is where most students get stuck. Pathly takes you from curious to a clear next step, and gives your counselor the insight to champion you along the way.
Start with a quick quiz and assessments that surface your personality, your EQ, and what really motivates you, so your next steps are built around who you actually are.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).