[Site name]

Timber trader

Also called lumber trader, timber seller, wood merchant

Timber traders assess the quality, quantity and market value of timber and timber products for trade. They organise the selling process of new timber and purchase stocks of timber.

Will there be jobs?Average prospects25 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Business and administration associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,600 (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Business and administration associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree5 in 10 have a degree.Business and administration associate professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Buyers · ILO

What you'd do

Buyers · ILO
  • Determining or negotiating contract terms and conditions, awarding supplier contracts or recommending contract awards for the purchase of equipment, raw materials, products, services and merchandise for resale
  • Obtaining information about requirements and stock and developing specifications for quantity and quality to be purchased, costs, delivery dates and other contract conditions
  • Purchasing general and specialized equipment, materials or business services for use or for further processing by their establishment
  • Inviting tenders, consulting with suppliers and reviewing quotations
  • Purchasing merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments
  • Studying market reports, trade periodicals and sales promotion materials and visiting trade shows, showrooms, factories and product design events
  • Selecting the merchandise or products that best fit the establishment's requirements
  • Interviewing suppliers and negotiating prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements
  • Overseeing distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintaining adequate stock levels
  • Establishing delivery schedules, monitoring progress and contacting clients and suppliers to resolve problems
Negotiate priceManage timber ordersProcess returned timber productsAdvise on timber-based productsCarry out purchasing operations in the timber business+ 10 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Mostly outdoors
  • A mix of sitting and standing
  • Lots of contact with people
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Often more than 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines most weeks
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the similar US job "Log Graders and Scalers"

Will there be jobs?

Average prospects

A typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as business and administration associate professionals in the EU
13.29m14.1m14.28m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
55,000 new jobs 3,460,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Business and administration associate professionals25
All jobs29
Right now
4 of 27 countries report a shortage of buyers, 6 a surplus.
Buyers · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,600 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,300 (Denmark), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree is the usual route.

Highest qualification of business and administration associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 51%Vocational 31%General secondary 13%Basic schooling 6%

Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.39 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Obtaining information about requirements and stock and developing specifications for quantity and quality to be purchased, costs, delivery dates and other contract conditions0.51
Establishing delivery schedules, monitoring progress and contacting clients and suppliers to resolve problems0.49
Purchasing merchandise for resale by retail or wholesale establishments0.48
Selecting the merchandise or products that best fit the establishment's requirements0.43
Studying market reports, trade periodicals and sales promotion materials and visiting trade shows, showrooms, factories and product design events0.40
Inviting tenders, consulting with suppliers and reviewing quotations0.36
Determining or negotiating contract terms and conditions, awarding supplier contracts or recommending contract awards for the purchase of equipment, raw materials, products, services and merchandise for resale0.35
Purchasing general and specialized equipment, materials or business services for use or for further processing by their establishment0.35
Interviewing suppliers and negotiating prices, discounts, credit terms and transportation arrangements0.32
Overseeing distribution of merchandise to outlets and maintaining adequate stock levels0.25

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for buyers. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).