Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
SOC Code: 13-1022 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
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.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $68,765 | $90,771 | $112,778 | $134,784 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $68,182 | $89,128 | $110,074 | $131,019 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $65,749 | $86,840 | $107,952 | $129,043 |
| Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $54,267 | $78,915 | $103,584 | $128,232 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $57,616 | $80,226 | $102,814 | $125,424 |
| Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $47,861 | $71,094 | $94,349 | $117,582 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $64,938 | $82,430 | $99,944 | $117,437 |
| Huntsville, AL | $58,261 | $77,168 | $96,075 | $114,982 |
| Boulder, CO | $59,301 | $76,544 | $93,787 | $111,030 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $59,238 | $76,315 | $93,371 | $110,448 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc. | 1 | $54,787 |
| ZF Transmissions Gray Court, LLC | 1 | $84,050 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | $84,050 |
| 2023 | 1 | $54,787 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Negotiation | 4.0 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 | |
| Persuasion | 3.8 | |
| Speaking | 3.8 | |
| Active Listening | 3.8 | |
| Active Learning | 3.4 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.4 | |
| Management of Financial Resources | 3.2 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.2 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.2 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Sales and Marketing | 3.8 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| English Language | 3.6 |
| Mathematics | 3.6 |
| Administration and Management | 3.4 |
| Computers and Electronics | 3.4 |
| Economics and Accounting | 3.2 |
| Communications and Media | 2.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | 34.6% |
| High school diploma | 20.3% |
| Less than high school | 13.9% |
| Associate's degree | 11.4% |
| Some college | 10.3% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 8.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.2% |
Typical Tasks
- Monitor and analyze sales records, trends, or economic conditions to anticipate consumer buying patterns, company sales, and needed inventory.
- Authorize payment of invoices or return of merchandise.
- Buy merchandise or commodities for resale to wholesale or retail consumers.
- Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
- Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
- Recommend mark-up rates, mark-down rates, or merchandise selling prices.
- Obtain information about customer needs or preferences by conferring with sales or purchasing personnel.
- Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
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