Purchasing Managers Salaries & Wage Percentiles
Data updated · Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025 · Methodology
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
National Wage Percentile Spectrum
Empirical distribution from entry-level apprentice (10th percentile) to senior principal / master tier (90th percentile).
Nationwide State Salary Rankings
State-by-state empirical labor compensation benchmarked against local cost of living and purchasing power.
| Rank | State | Median Salary | Hourly Rate | CoL Adjusted Real Wage | Total Employed | Top Metro in State | CoL Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | District of Columbia DC | $172,150 | $82.77/hr | $108,338 | 4,180 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 158.9 |
| #2 | New Jersey NJ | $170,980 | $82.20/hr | $142,602 | 410 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 119.9 |
| #3 | New Hampshire NH | $165,870 | $79.75/hr | $144,738 | 240 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | 114.6 |
| #4 | Massachusetts MA | $164,083 | $78.89/hr | $123,093 | 2,120 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 133.3 |
| #5 | Colorado CO | $163,136 | $78.43/hr | $130,613 | 1,260 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 124.9 |
| #6 | Washington WA | $152,764 | $73.44/hr | $126,669 | 1,510 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | 120.6 |
| #7 | Maryland MD | $152,060 | $73.11/hr | $139,121 | 1,250 | Lexington Park, MD | 109.3 |
| #8 | Kansas KS | $150,205 | $72.22/hr | $158,947 | 200 | Wichita, KS | 94.5 |
Top Metropolitan Areas for Maximum Earnings
High-yield metros commanding premier compensation, rent affordability, and living wage coverage.
Career Ladder & Progression Stages
Typical milestones from entry level to senior roles.
Bachelor's degree (most common O*NET requirement); entry into the field
Demonstrated results in role; works independently on core responsibilities
Full professional competence; leads projects or a small team
Owns budget, hiring and outcomes for a department or large program
Executive or principal scope; sets strategy across the organization or profession
Skill-Adjacent Career Opportunities
Direct lateral transitions capitalizing on shared occupational competencies and BLS wage differentials.
Purchasing Managers: Career Ladder, Industry Hub & Regional Parity
Navigate parent industry benchmarks, lateral career progressions, and cross-pillar living cost calculators.
Finance & Management Directory
Compare wage percentiles, required certifications, and senior salary caps across all Finance & Management occupations.
Adjacent Career Paths
Living Cost & Tax Parity
Occupational Labor Economics & Frequently Asked Questions
Explore national wage percentiles (10th to 90th), top-paying metropolitan areas, and career ladder progression for Purchasing Managers. Official 2026 economic data for Purchasing Managers compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
National compensation benchmarks for Purchasing Managers range across the 10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentiles based on BLS OEWS labor market statistics.
Purchasing Managers: Where the Pay Is Highest
The national median for Purchasing Managers is $148,080 per year ($71.19/hour). BLS OEWS publishes this occupation in 219 metropolitan areas, where median pay ranges from $95,290 in Jonesboro, AR to $198,980 in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA.
Top-paying metropolitan areas for Purchasing Managers
| Metropolitan area | Median annual wage | Vs national |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $198,980 | +34.4% |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $180,340 | +21.8% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $180,000 | +21.6% |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $176,300 | +19.1% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $174,640 | +17.9% |
| Peoria, IL | $174,430 | +17.8% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $172,150 | +16.3% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $171,810 | +16.0% |
| Rochester, MN | $171,340 | +15.7% |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $171,280 | +15.7% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $170,440 | +15.1% |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $169,520 | +14.5% |