Employment of purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents is expected to increase 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations.
These workers will be needed to buy goods and services for business operations or for resale to customers. Growth will vary based on the type of purchasing agent or manager and the specific industry.
Employment of wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products, is expected to grow 9 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Growth will be driven largely by the performance of the wholesale and retail industries.
Employment of purchasing agents, farm products, is expected to grow 5 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Slower growth in the agricultural industry has led to slow growth in this occupation, and the trend is expected to continue.
Employment of purchasing agents, except wholesale, retail, and farm products, is expected to grow 5 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Continued employment decreases in manufacturing, as well as decreases in federal government, which includes defense purchasing, are expected. However, growth is expected for this occupation in healthcare and computer systems design and related services firms.
Employment of purchasing managers is expected to grow 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. The trends affecting growth for agents and buyers will also affect purchasing managers, although there should still be a need for purchasing managers to plan and direct buying activities for organizations and to supervise purchasing agents and buyers.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition