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Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products

General Information

Description

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.

Business Breakdown

People in this career work in these sectors.

  1. Private, for profit74.01%
  2. State and local government8.29%
  3. Federal government7.44%
  4. Private, not for profit6.39%
  5. Self-employed3.80%

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure
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Salary

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Education & Interests

Most Common Education Levels

People in this career achieve this level of education.

  • Bachelor's degree 78%
  • High school 8%
  • Post baccalaureate 8%
  • Associate's degree 4%
  • Some college 0%
  • Master's degree 0%
  • Doctoral degree 0%
  • Less than high school 0%
  • Post-doctoral training 0%
  • Post-master's certificate 0%
  • First professional degree 0%
  • Post-secondary certificate 0%

PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS

You may find this career fulfilling if you consider yourself to be:

  • Conventional — You have an interest in following procedures and regulations to organize information or data.
  • Enterprising — You have an interest in managing, negotiating and marketing, or leading and advising others.

Not sure what characteristics best describe you? Take the RIASEC Test.

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership

Knowledge

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administrative
  • Administration and Management
  • Mathematics
  • Computers and Electronics

Gain insights into your knowledge by using the ASVAB Career Exploration Program

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