Procurement clerks
SOC Code: 43-3061
Procurement clerks carries a 71% AI exposure score (Very High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $48,510 and -8.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 61,900 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Procurement clerks (SOC 43-3061) carries an AI exposure score of 71%, placing it in the Very High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score above 70% signals that the majority of core duties are already technically automatable — workers in these roles face the steepest near-term displacement pressure.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 61,900 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -8.7% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $48,510, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Procurement clerks. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
- 2. Perform buying duties when necessary.
- 3. Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.
- 4. Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.
- 5. Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.
- 6. Approve and pay bills.
- 7. Maintain knowledge of all organizational and governmental rules affecting purchases, and provide information about these rules to organization staff members and to vendors.
- 8. Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
- 9. Check shipments when they arrive to ensure that orders have been filled correctly and that goods meet specifications.
- 10. Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Active Learning
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Administrative
- Customer and Personal Service
- Economics and Accounting
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Production and Processing
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Procurement clerks?
Procurement clerks has an AI exposure score of 71%, indicating a very high level of automation risk. Many tasks in this role involve routine data processing and pattern recognition that current AI systems can perform.
What is the job outlook for Procurement clerks?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Procurement clerks is projected to decline by 8.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 61,900 workers.
What skills are needed for Procurement clerks?
Key skills for Procurement clerks include Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Procurement clerks earn?
The median annual wage for Procurement clerks is $48,510, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Procurement clerks?
The typical entry-level education for Procurement clerks is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Procurement clerks?
Procurement clerks roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Very High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A majority of tasks in this occupation are susceptible to AI automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).