Procurement Clerks
SOC code 43-3061 · O*NET-SOC 43-3061.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Procurement Clerks pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$50,580
a year
Hourly
$24.32
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$52,370
$25.18 per hour
Middle 50%
$43,420 – $60,080
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,040 – $68,620
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
55,810
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $38,040
- $18.29/hr
- 25th percentile
- $43,420
- $20.88/hr
- Median percentile
- $50,580
- $24.32/hr
- 75th percentile
- $60,080
- $28.89/hr
- 90th percentile
- $68,620
- $32.99/hr
What does a procurement clerk do?
Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.
The tasks that matter most day to 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.
- 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.
- Maintain knowledge of all organizational and governmental rules affecting purchases, and provide information about these rules to organization staff members and to vendors.
- Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
How to become a procurement clerk
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)48%
- Bachelor's Degree33%
- Some College Courses17%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2%
Common questions
How much does a procurement clerk earn?
The national median is $50,580 a year. The full range runs from $38,040 at the 10th percentile to $68,620 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a procurement clerk without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.8/5
- Writing3.6/5
- Monitoring3.6/5
- Active Learning3.3/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language4.0/5
- Administrative3.8/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Economics and Accounting3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Mathematics3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
- Transportation3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.