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. Include assistant buyers.
Top Industries of Employment
| Area |
Employment** Total |
Hourly Wage | Annual | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | Entry | Experienced | Mean | Entry | Experienced | ||
| Missouri | 2,340 | 20.39 | 11.32 | 24.93 | 42,420 | 23,550 | 51,850 |
| Joplin MSA | 30 | 12.80 | 7.99 | 15.20 | 26,610 | 16,620 | 31,610 |
| Columbia MSA | 60 | 14.85 | 10.28 | 17.14 | 30,890 | 21,370 | 35,650 |
| St Joseph MSA | 40 | 14.64 | 9.42 | 17.25 | 30,450 | 19,600 | 35,880 |
| Springfield MSA | 120 | 15.84 | 10.73 | 18.40 | 32,950 | 22,320 | 38,260 |
| St Louis MSA | 1,250 | 22.20 | 12.97 | 26.82 | 46,180 | 26,980 | 55,780 |
| Kansas City* | 410 | 21.90 | 11.81 | 26.95 | 45,559 | 24,555 | 56,062 |
| Central Region* | 170 | 15.04 | 10.03 | 17.55 | 31,285 | 20,863 | 36,495 |
| Northeast Region* | 60 | 19.17 | 9.30 | 24.11 | 39,881 | 19,353 | 50,145 |
| Northwest Region* | 60 | 14.07 | 9.08 | 16.56 | 29,261 | 18,884 | 34,450 |
| Ozark Region* | 180 | 17.69 | 10.63 | 21.22 | 36,796 | 22,115 | 44,136 |
| South Central Region* | 20 | 13.35 | 9.14 | 15.46 | 27,775 | 19,010 | 32,157 |
| Southeast Region* | 180 | 15.95 | 9.68 | 19.09 | 33,174 | 20,127 | 39,697 |
| Southwest Region* | 40 | 13.91 | 7.95 | 16.88 | 28,923 | 16,536 | 35,117 |
| St. Charles* | 40 | 15.68 | 11.24 | 17.90 | 32,612 | 23,369 | 37,233 |
| St. Louis City* | 350 | 22.81 | 14.23 | 27.09 | 47,438 | 29,603 | 56,355 |
| St. Louis County* | 700 | 23.22 | 12.96 | 28.36 | 48,305 | 26,947 | 58,983 |
| West Central Region* | 30 | 18.41 | 10.66 | 22.29 | 38,298 | 22,176 | 46,358 |
| Jefferson/Franklin Consortium* | 40 | 18.29 | 11.36 | 21.76 | 38,052 | 23,626 | 45,265 |
| Area | Employment ** | Change 2000-2010 |
Annual Avg Openings |
Long-term Outlook |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Estimated | 2010 Projected | Number | Percent | |||
| Missouri | 2,590 | 2,360 | -230 | -8.88 | 79 | Fair |
| Kansas City MSA | 1,070 | 990 | -80 | -7.48 | 33 | Fair |
| St Louis MSA | 1,500 | 1,330 | -170 | -11.33 | 46 | Fair |
| Central Region* | 160 | 150 | -10 | -6.25 | 5 | Fair |
| Northeast Region* | 40 | 40 | .00 | 1 | Caution | |
| Northwest Region* | 80 | 90 | 10 | 12.50 | 2 | Good |
| Ozark Region* | 170 | 150 | -20 | -11.76 | 5 | Fair |
| South Central Region* | 30 | 30 | .00 | 1 | Caution | |
| Southeast Region* | 100 | 90 | -10 | -10.00 | 3 | Fair |
| Southwest Region* | 70 | 60 | -10 | -14.29 | 2 | Fair |
| West Central Region* | 60 | 50 | -10 | -16.67 | 2 | Caution |
* - Workforce Investment Areas
** - Why are the employment levels different for the same occupation?
This profession generally requires Bachelor's degree
in one of the following
Apparel and Textile Marketing Management (NEW)
Sales, Distribution, and Marketing Operations, General
Merchandising and Buying Operations
Fashion Merchandising
Apparel and Accessories Marketing Operations