Wholesale Trade Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Wholesale Trade industry employed over 5.8 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 5.2% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $67,010, and the median wage was $49,790. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 8.3%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) held the largest number of jobs within the Wholesale Trade industry, employing over 1.4 million people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $63,510, with a median wage of $48,170. There was a decrease in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 3.3% to 2.6%, indicating industry wages lagged national wage trends.

Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) accounted for a substantial employment share, with 979 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $57,180, and the median wage was $46,540. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -7% to -7.6%.

The sub-group of Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 711 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $81,540 and the median wage was $61,110. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from 30.2% to 31.7%.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we examine the top occupations in terms of employment within the Wholesale Trade industry, we find that General and Operations Managers had the highest annual mean wage in 2022, at $130,210, and a median wage of $102,680. The industry variance to the national average was 6%. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products had an annual mean wage of $106,280 and a median wage of $96,120. The industry variance to the national average was -3.3%. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products had an annual mean wage of $76,440 and a median wage of $62,290. The industry variance to the national average was -0.6%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Wholesale Trade industry included Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, with an annual mean wage of $38,490 and a median wage of $37,030. The industry variance to the national average was 2.6%. Stockers and Order Fillers had an annual mean wage of $38,930 and a median wage of $37,140. The industry variance to the national average was 9.5%. Light Truck Drivers had an annual mean wage of $40,410 and a median wage of $38,240. The industry variance to the national average was -10.2%.

Summary

The Wholesale Trade industry employed over 5.8 million people in the United States in 2022, experiencing a 5.2% increase from the previous year. With an annual mean wage of $67,010 and a median wage of $49,790, wages in this industry group exceeded the national average by 8.3%. Overall, the Wholesale Trade industry demonstrated employment growth and offered favorable wage prospects.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Wholesale Trade Industry Report.