Procurement Clerks
Every task in this role, whether it passes the census's structural hand-over screen, which models pass it, and why. It is a screen, not a claim about what AI can do: a task can pass and still be beyond the systems of the day. The stricter and looser rules re-vote every task, and small differences between roles are noise.
Passes the screen · 7 of 19 tasks
Track the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 8.2% of the role's time · $239M · all three pass it
Prepare purchase orders and send copies to suppliers and to departments originating requests.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 6.8% of the role's time · $199M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Calculate costs of orders, and charge or forward invoices to appropriate accounts.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 6.7% of the role's time · $197M · all three pass it
Determine if inventory quantities are sufficient for needs, ordering more materials when necessary.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 5.5% of the role's time · $161M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Compare suppliers' bills with bids and purchase orders to verify accuracy.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.6% of the role's time · $135M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Monitor in-house inventory movement and complete inventory transfer forms for bookkeeping purposes.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 4.0% of the role's time · $117M · all three pass it
Prepare invitation-of-bid forms, and mail forms to supplier firms or distribute forms for public posting.
quick to check, an existing check settles it, and a mistake is cheap · 2.8% of the role's time · $83.4M · passed by Claude Sonnet, Gemini 3.1 Pro · the models disagreed
Does not pass
Perform buying duties when necessary.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 8.1% of the role's time · $238M
Respond to customer and supplier inquiries about order status, changes, or cancellations.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 6.4% of the role's time · $189M · waiting on a check
Maintain knowledge of all organizational and governmental rules affecting purchases, and provide information about these rules to organization staff members and to vendors.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 6.1% of the role's time · $179M
Prepare, maintain, and review purchasing files, reports and price lists.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 5.8% of the role's time · $171M · passed by GPT-6 Sol · the models disagreed · waiting on a check
Compare prices, specifications, and delivery dates to determine the best bid among potential suppliers.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 5.7% of the role's time · $166M
Review requisition orders to verify accuracy, terminology, and specifications.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 5.3% of the role's time · $156M · waiting on a check
Check shipments when they arrive to ensure that orders have been filled correctly and that goods meet specifications.
physical work, outside the screen · 5.1% of the role's time · $150M
Contact suppliers to schedule or expedite deliveries and to resolve shortages, missed or late deliveries, and other problems.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 4.9% of the role's time · $145M
Approve and pay bills.
an accountable sign-off — stays with a person · 4.9% of the role's time · $144M
Locate suppliers, using sources such as catalogs and the internet, and interview them to gather information about products to be ordered.
reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 4.5% of the role's time · $132M
Train and supervise subordinates and other staff.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 2.7% of the role's time · $78.6M
Monitor contractor performance, recommending contract modifications when necessary.
reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 1.6% of the role's time · $47.2M
Where this role works
| Industry | Workers | Wage bill | Passes the screen | All three pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | 8970 | $492M | $190M | $93.0M |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 2960 | $157M | $60.9M | $29.8M |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 2500 | $147M | $56.9M | $27.8M |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 2790 | $127M | $49.1M | $24.0M |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | 2380 | $101M | $39.2M | $19.1M |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | 1480 | $74.4M | $28.8M | $14.1M |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | 1350 | $71.6M | $27.7M | $13.5M |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | 1310 | $65.8M | $25.5M | $12.4M |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | 1360 | $63.1M | $24.4M | $11.9M |
| Employment Services | 1170 | $59.8M | $23.1M | $11.3M |