Wholesale Trade Employment and Wages in 2023
In 2023, the Wholesale Trade industry employed over 6 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 2.9% from 2022. The annual mean wage in 2023 was $71,410, and the median wage was $53,320. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were higher by 9.1%.
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 1.5 million people in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $67,420, with a median wage of $50,300. There was an increase in wage variance to the national average compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 2.6% to 3%, indicating industry wages outpaced national wage trends.
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) accounted for a substantial employment share, with 1 million people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $60,480, and the median wage was $47,970. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was an increase compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from -7.6% to -7.6%.
The sub-group of Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 744 thousand people employed in 2023. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $69,620 and the median wage was $58,580. The wage variance to the national average experienced a decrease compared to 2022, with the variance shifting from 7% to 6.3%.
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 2023, at $139,040, and a median wage of $107,510. The industry variance to the national average was 7.5%. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products had an annual mean wage of $111,720 and a median wage of $100,110. The industry variance to the national average was -1.6%. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products had an annual mean wage of $80,170 and a median wage of $64,220. The industry variance to the national average was -0.4%.
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 $40,540 and a median wage of $38,630. The industry variance to the national average was 2%. Stockers and Order Fillers had an annual mean wage of $41,180 and a median wage of $38,890. The industry variance to the national average was 8.4%. Light Truck Drivers had an annual mean wage of $42,730 and a median wage of $41,140. The industry variance to the national average was -7.3%.
Summary
In 2023, the U.S. Wholesale Trade industry employed over 6 million people, a 2.9% increase from 2022. The annual mean wage was $71,410, and the median wage was $53,320, which is 9.1% higher than the national average. Merchant Wholesalers of Durable Goods, the largest sub-group, employed 1.5 million people with an annual mean wage of $67,420, slightly outpacing national wage trends. Merchant Wholesalers of Nondurable Goods employed 1 million people, with wages 7.6% below the national average. Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Wholesalers, employing 744,000, saw a slight decline in wage competitiveness but still offered a mean wage of $69,620. High-paying roles, such as General and Operations Managers, earned $139,040, while Sales Representatives for technical products earned $111,720. Lower-wage occupations, including Laborers, Stockers, and Light Truck Drivers, earned mean wages ranging from $40,540 to $42,730, with mixed variance compared to national averages. Overall, the industry saw solid employment growth and wage improvements across most sub-groups.
For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2023 Wholesale Trade Industry Report.
