How much does a buyer and purchasing agent make?
The median buyer and purchasing agent in the United States earns $77,710 per year, about $37.36 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all buyers and purchasing agents earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-1020.
Buyer and purchasing agent salary range
Pay for buyers and purchasing agents spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $48,380 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $128,870. The average (mean) wage of $83,770 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,380 | $23.26 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,800 | $29.23 | |
| Median (50th) | $77,710 | $37.36 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $100,820 | $48.47 | |
| 90th percentile | $128,870 | $61.96 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for buyers and purchasing agents (SOC 13-1020), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Buyer and purchasing agent salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Buyers and purchasing agents earn the most in District of Columbia at $124,090 a year, and the least in Montana at $62,850. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $124,090 | 1,880 |
| New Jersey | $93,250 | 12,180 |
| Maryland | $90,900 | 8,900 |
| Virginia | $89,210 | 22,120 |
| Rhode Island | $86,240 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $85,970 | 12,820 |
| Washington | $85,130 | 15,400 |
| Colorado | $83,590 | 10,080 |
| Alaska | $83,460 | 890 |
| Connecticut | $83,030 | 5,530 |
| Delaware | $82,920 | 1,400 |
| California | $82,720 | 48,010 |
| Minnesota | $80,370 | 10,960 |
| New York | $79,460 | 31,240 |
| Illinois | $78,470 | 19,660 |
| Maine | $77,630 | 1,180 |
| New Hampshire | $77,270 | 2,580 |
| New Mexico | $76,740 | 2,250 |
| Ohio | $76,410 | 21,640 |
| North Dakota | $76,400 | 880 |
| Texas | $76,050 | 44,030 |
| Michigan | $75,900 | 16,680 |
| North Carolina | $75,880 | 14,290 |
| Arkansas | $75,870 | 4,510 |
| West Virginia | $75,670 | 1,130 |
| South Carolina | $75,550 | 6,150 |
| Arizona | $75,340 | 10,870 |
| Oregon | $75,050 | 7,090 |
| Nebraska | $74,950 | 2,850 |
| Utah | $74,540 | 4,090 |
| Georgia | $74,530 | 15,710 |
| Hawaii | $74,240 | 1,720 |
| Alabama | $74,030 | 8,960 |
| South Dakota | $73,990 | 1,180 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,550 | 17,430 |
| Nevada | $72,990 | 2,310 |
| Florida | $72,850 | 30,270 |
| Wyoming | $72,200 | 570 |
| Mississippi | $71,850 | 2,240 |
| Oklahoma | $71,850 | 4,750 |
| Wisconsin | $70,880 | 9,240 |
| Iowa | $70,360 | 4,570 |
| Kansas | $69,500 | 6,470 |
| Indiana | $69,350 | 10,720 |
| Idaho | $69,240 | 1,610 |
| Louisiana | $66,340 | 3,440 |
| Missouri | $65,650 | 8,070 |
| Tennessee | $65,430 | 11,420 |
| Vermont | $65,330 | 1,010 |
| Kentucky | $65,240 | 5,440 |
| Montana | $62,850 | 1,230 |
State median wages for buyers and purchasing agents (SOC 13-1020), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for buyers and purchasing agents
The BLS projects employment of buyers and purchasing agents to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 516,100 jobs in 2025 moving toward 547,000 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 47,200 openings a year for buyers and purchasing agents. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a buyer and purchasing agent
The typical entry-level education for buyers and purchasing agents is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a buyer and purchasing agent earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $124,090) and the lowest (Montana, $62,850) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 491,430 people work as buyers and purchasing agents in the United States. At $77,710 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Buyer and purchasing agent salary FAQ
How much does a buyer and purchasing agent make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a buyer and purchasing agent is $37.36. The middle half of buyers and purchasing agents earn between $29.23 and $48.47 per hour.
What is the highest buyer and purchasing agent salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of buyers and purchasing agents earn more than $128,870 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a buyer and purchasing agent make a year?
The median annual salary for a buyer and purchasing agent is $77,710. The average (mean) wage of $83,770 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a buyer and purchasing agent a well paid job?
At $77,710 a year, a buyer and purchasing agent earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 491,430 people work as buyers and purchasing agents in the United States.
Which state pays buyers and purchasing agents the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for buyers and purchasing agents at $124,090 a year. New Jersey ($93,250) and Maryland ($90,900) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a buyer and purchasing agent a good career?
Employment of buyers and purchasing agents is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 47,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a buyer and purchasing agent?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for buyers and purchasing agents as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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