Procurement Clerks

Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.

What you'd actually do

• Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
• Perform buying duties when necessary.
• Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.
• Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.
• Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.
• Approve and pay bills.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work splits time indoors and out; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of procurement clerks are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused, take-charge and hands-on.

Related careers

• Brokerage Clerks
• First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers
• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
• Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping
• Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
• Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance

Quick questions

How much does a procurement clerk make?

The median pay is $24.32 per hour — roughly $50,500 a year, with the real range running from about $18.29/hr (10th percentile) to $32.99/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a procurement clerk?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a procurement clerk actually do all day?

Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders. Perform buying duties when necessary. Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.