Occupation Profile for Procurement Clerks
Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.
Signficant Points
- About 23 percent of procurement clerks work for Federal, State, and local governments.
- Overall employment is expected to experience little or no change as a result of increasing automation, offshoring, and restructuring of business.
- High school graduates with good communication and computer skills should have the best job opportunities.
Earnings
Median hourly earnings of procurement clerks in May 2006 were $15.91. The middle 50 percent earned between $12.65 and $19.41. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $10.16 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $22.68. Procurement clerks working for the Federal Government had an average annual income of $41,716 in 2007.
Job Outlook
Employment in the occupation is expected to experience little or no change. High school graduates with good communication and computer skills should have the best job opportunities.
Employment change. Employment of procurement clerks is expected to decline by 2 percent during the 2006-16 decade, which is considered little or no change, as a result of increasing automation, offshoring, and business restructuring. The need for procurement clerks will be reduced as the use of computers to place orders directly with suppliers—called electronic data interchange—and as ordering over the Internet—known as e-procurement—become more commonplace. In addition, procurement authority for some purchases is now being given to employees in the departments originating the purchase. These departments may be issued procurement cards, which are similar to credit cards that enable a department to charge purchases up to a specified amount.
Job prospects. Despite the expected little or no change in employment, job openings will arise out of the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. High school graduates with good communication and computer skills should have the best job opportunities.
Employment
In 2006, procurement clerks held about 78,000 jobs in every industry, including manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, health care, and government. About 23 percent of procurement clerks work for Federal, State, and local governments; most of these work for the Federal Government.