How much does a purchasing manager make?
The median purchasing manager in the United States earns $148,080 per year, about $71.19 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all purchasing managers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 11-3061.
Purchasing manager salary range
Pay for purchasing managers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $92,490 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $223,280. The average (mean) wage of $156,360 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 | $92,490 | $44.47 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $115,550 | $55.55 | |
| Median (50th) | $148,080 | $71.19 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $182,270 | $87.63 | |
| 90th percentile | $223,280 | $107.35 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for purchasing managers (SOC 11-3061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Purchasing manager salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Purchasing managers earn the most in District of Columbia at $175,720 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $109,630. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $175,720 | 1,110 |
| New Jersey | $174,520 | 3,430 |
| Colorado | $171,250 | 1,320 |
| Massachusetts | $170,750 | 2,160 |
| New York | $166,300 | 6,930 |
| Virginia | $166,230 | 3,540 |
| New Hampshire | $162,900 | 540 |
| Washington | $162,730 | 1,770 |
| Maryland | $161,470 | 2,380 |
| Kansas | $159,850 | 920 |
| California | $159,830 | 7,470 |
| Arkansas | $156,450 | 930 |
| Georgia | $155,360 | 3,430 |
| Illinois | $153,370 | 4,160 |
| West Virginia | $147,220 | 180 |
| Minnesota | $144,810 | 1,340 |
| Michigan | $142,120 | 2,780 |
| Pennsylvania | $141,790 | 2,530 |
| Arizona | $138,940 | 1,630 |
| North Carolina | $138,710 | 2,670 |
| Connecticut | $138,680 | 1,420 |
| Oregon | $137,190 | 980 |
| Tennessee | $137,060 | 1,460 |
| Idaho | $136,970 | 270 |
| Maine | $135,970 | 170 |
| Vermont | $135,720 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $134,790 | 240 |
| Texas | $134,670 | 9,640 |
| Ohio | $134,580 | 3,490 |
| Rhode Island | $134,560 | 220 |
| Florida | $133,410 | 3,960 |
| Missouri | $132,100 | 960 |
| South Carolina | $131,720 | 830 |
| Alabama | $130,710 | 1,520 |
| North Dakota | $130,110 | 50 |
| South Dakota | $128,670 | 70 |
| Indiana | $126,880 | 1,190 |
| Utah | $125,940 | 510 |
| Wisconsin | $124,990 | 1,610 |
| Kentucky | $124,350 | 920 |
| Nebraska | $124,010 | 440 |
| Montana | $123,480 | 160 |
| Wyoming | $123,380 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $122,940 | 320 |
| Iowa | $121,580 | 610 |
| Nevada | $120,270 | 450 |
| Oklahoma | $119,310 | 480 |
| Alaska | $114,650 | 140 |
| Hawaii | $113,490 | 220 |
| Louisiana | $109,630 | 470 |
State median wages for purchasing managers (SOC 11-3061), 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 purchasing managers
The BLS projects employment of purchasing managers to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 88,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 91,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,400 openings a year for purchasing managers. 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 purchasing manager
The typical entry-level education for purchasing managers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect 5 years or more of work experience in a related occupation.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a purchasing manager earns
Company size, industry, and metro area drive most of the pay gap. Executives and managers at large firms in major markets sit near the top of the range, while smaller organizations and rural areas pay lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $175,720) and the lowest (Louisiana, $109,630) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 84,320 people work as purchasing managers in the United States. At $148,080 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Purchasing manager salary FAQ
How much does a purchasing manager make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a purchasing manager is $71.19. The middle half of purchasing managers earn between $55.55 and $87.63 per hour.
What is the highest purchasing manager salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of purchasing managers earn more than $223,280 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a purchasing manager make a year?
The median annual salary for a purchasing manager is $148,080. The average (mean) wage of $156,360 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 purchasing manager a well paid job?
At $148,080 a year, a purchasing manager earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 84,320 people work as purchasing managers in the United States.
Which state pays purchasing managers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for purchasing managers at $175,720 a year. New Jersey ($174,520) and Colorado ($171,250) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a purchasing manager a good career?
Employment of purchasing managers is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a purchasing manager?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for purchasing managers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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