Mostly Resilient
Last Update: 10/7/2026
AI Resilience Score for Wholesale/Retail Buyers:
54.7%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Low
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
High
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Med
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
Most data sources align, with only minor variation. This is a well-supported result.
AI Resilience Report forWholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
$77,710 median salary•47,200 annual openings•SOC Code: 13-1022.00
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products are somewhat more resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
This career is labeled "Mostly Resilient" because while AI is taking over a lot of the routine, time-consuming tasks (like data entry, demand forecasting, and vendor communication), the most important parts of a buyer's job still need a human touch. Skills like building real supplier relationships, spotting cultural trends, understanding local customers, and making smart judgment calls under pressure are things AI simply cannot replicate well.
Learn more about how you can thrive in this position
This role is mostly resilient
This career is labeled "Mostly Resilient" because while AI is taking over a lot of the routine, time-consuming tasks (like data entry, demand forecasting, and vendor communication), the most important parts of a buyer's job still need a human touch. Skills like building real supplier relationships, spotting cultural trends, understanding local customers, and making smart judgment calls under pressure are things AI simply cannot replicate well.
Read full analysisAnalysis of current AI resilience
Wholesale/Retail Buyers
Updated quarterly
How can Wholesale/Retail Buyers prepare for AI?
Latest AI news for Wholesale/Retail Buyers
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More Career Info
Career: Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
They choose and buy products for stores to sell, making sure they get the best items at good prices to satisfy customers.
Parent Careers
Similar Careers
Employment & Wage Data
* Data estimated from parent occupation
Median Wage
$77,710
Jobs (2025)
516,100
Growth (2025-35)
+6.0%
Annual Openings
47,200
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025-2035
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Conduct sales meetings to introduce new merchandise.
2
Train or supervise sales or clerical staff.
3
Collaborate with vendors to obtain or develop desired products.
4
Consult with store or merchandise managers about budgets or goods to be purchased.
5
Negotiate prices, discount terms, or transportation arrangements with suppliers.
6
Inspect merchandise or products to determine quality, value, or yield.
7
Examine, select, order, or purchase merchandise consistent with quality, quantity, specification requirements, or other factors, such as environmental soundness.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
