Purchasing Managers
Purchasing Managers (SOC 11-3061) earn a median $148,080 a year ($71.19 an hour) in the United States, with 84,320 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is District of Columbia.
What purchasing managers do
Purchasing managers lead the buyers and purchasing agents who obtain materials, products, and services for an organization. The occupation includes procurement managers and merchandising managers in wholesale and retail trade. Their work applies to any organization that buys materials, products, or services. Their work includes writing and carrying out purchasing and contract policies, finding suppliers and interviewing them about the products and prices they offer, preparing bid awards that need approval from a board or senior officials, and checking purchase orders and contracts for conformance with company rules. They direct the buying, selling, and distribution activities of their staff and may administer online purchasing systems. The job differs from that of buyers and purchasing agents, who carry out individual purchases, and from administrative services managers, who oversee office support functions rather than procurement. It is also separate from transportation, storage, and distribution managers, who move and warehouse goods once bought. Specifications used for issuing and awarding bids are reviewed and approved by the manager, who also prepares and processes requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
Typical entry: O*NET respondents most often report a bachelor's degree as the typical level of education for this occupation.
Also called: Category Purchasing Manager, Commissary Superintendent, Commodity Manager, Contract Manager, Contracting Manager.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $44.47 | $55.55 | $71.19 | $87.63 | $107.35 | $75.17 | 84,320 |
| Annual | $92,490 | $115,550 | $148,080 | $182,270 | $223,280 | $156,360 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where purchasing managers earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| District of Columbia | Hourly | $70.78 | $77.63 | $84.48 | $91.32 | $93.84 | $84.20 | 1,110 | 1.59 | 2.92 |
| Annual | $147,220 | $161,470 | $175,720 | $189,950 | $195,190 | $175,130 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $56.57 | $67.60 | $83.90 | $105.18 | $137.15 | $89.59 | 3,430 | 0.80 | 1.47 |
| Annual | $117,660 | $140,610 | $174,520 | $218,770 | $285,280 | $186,350 | ||||
| Colorado | Hourly | $59.04 | $67.88 | $82.33 | $100.84 | $119.04 | $88.13 | 1,320 | 0.46 | 0.85 |
| Annual | $122,790 | $141,190 | $171,250 | $209,740 | $247,610 | $183,310 | ||||
| Massachusetts | Hourly | $50.72 | $65.07 | $82.09 | $103.77 | $128.36 | $86.09 | 2,160 | 0.59 | 1.10 |
| Annual | $105,500 | $135,340 | $170,750 | $215,850 | $266,990 | $179,070 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $49.42 | $61.71 | $79.95 | $100.15 | $135.75 | $85.22 | 6,930 | 0.72 | 1.32 |
| Annual | $102,800 | $128,350 | $166,300 | $208,320 | $282,360 | $177,260 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Texas | Hourly | $41.51 | $50.96 | $64.75 | $81.70 | $102.09 | $69.96 | 9,640 | 0.69 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $86,340 | $105,990 | $134,670 | $169,930 | $212,340 | $145,520 | ||||
| California | Hourly | $47.86 | $60.10 | $76.84 | $94.53 | $116.03 | $79.70 | 7,470 | 0.41 | 0.76 |
| Annual | $99,560 | $125,000 | $159,830 | $196,620 | $241,340 | $165,780 | ||||
| New York | Hourly | $49.42 | $61.71 | $79.95 | $100.15 | $135.75 | $85.22 | 6,930 | 0.72 | 1.32 |
| Annual | $102,800 | $128,350 | $166,300 | $208,320 | $282,360 | $177,260 | ||||
| Illinois | Hourly | $48.55 | $61.09 | $73.74 | $88.43 | $108.39 | $77.85 | 4,160 | 0.68 | 1.26 |
| Annual | $100,990 | $127,070 | $153,370 | $183,930 | $225,450 | $161,930 | ||||
| Florida | Hourly | $36.76 | $47.51 | $64.14 | $81.11 | $101.64 | $67.85 | 3,960 | 0.40 | 0.74 |
| Annual | $76,460 | $98,810 | $133,410 | $168,720 | $211,410 | $141,140 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | Hourly | $62.26 | $79.43 | $95.66 | $123.57 | $141.67 | $99.02 | 700 | 0.61 | 1.13 |
| Annual | $129,490 | $165,210 | $198,980 | $257,030 | $294,680 | $205,970 | ||||
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | Hourly | $63.41 | $73.85 | $86.70 | $109.47 | $139.15 | $93.94 | 330 | 1.37 | 2.53 |
| Annual | $131,880 | $153,610 | $180,340 | $227,700 | $289,430 | $195,400 | ||||
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | Hourly | $60.95 | $71.42 | $86.54 | $102.20 | $119.05 | $90.89 | 980 | 0.61 | 1.12 |
| Annual | $126,770 | $148,560 | $180,000 | $212,570 | $247,630 | $189,060 | ||||
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | Hourly | $46.08 | $76.94 | $84.76 | $109.44 | $162.98 | $95.69 | 410 | 1.49 | 2.74 |
| Annual | $95,850 | $160,020 | $176,300 | $227,640 | $339,000 | $199,040 | ||||
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | Hourly | $51.73 | $67.54 | $83.96 | $104.62 | $133.24 | $88.57 | 1,940 | 0.72 | 1.32 |
| Annual | $107,600 | $140,480 | $174,640 | $217,600 | $277,150 | $184,230 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $56.31 | $67.42 | $82.60 | $104.49 | $140.68 | $91.10 | 7,370 | 0.78 | 1.43 |
| Annual | $117,120 | $140,240 | $171,810 | $217,340 | $292,610 | $189,490 | ||||
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | Hourly | $63.89 | $75.35 | $82.77 | $93.84 | $104.71 | $85.09 | 4,180 | 1.33 | 2.46 |
| Annual | $132,890 | $156,730 | $172,150 | $195,190 | $217,790 | $176,990 | ||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $43.58 | $52.35 | $66.26 | $81.84 | $103.79 | $71.83 | 3,400 | 0.84 | 1.55 |
| Annual | $90,650 | $108,900 | $137,820 | $170,240 | $215,880 | $149,410 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $49.37 | $62.01 | $74.56 | $89.05 | $108.39 | $78.34 | 3,250 | 0.72 | 1.33 |
| Annual | $102,690 | $128,970 | $155,080 | $185,230 | $225,450 | $162,950 | ||||
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | Hourly | $47.81 | $59.77 | $75.19 | $90.40 | $108.71 | $77.81 | 2,800 | 0.45 | 0.82 |
| Annual | $99,440 | $124,330 | $156,400 | $188,030 | $226,110 | $161,840 | ||||
Top industries employing purchasing managers
Management of Companies and Enterprises employ 19.9% of purchasing managers nationally (16,750 jobs) at a median $167,870 a year ($80.71 an hour), followed by Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) (7.4%) and Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (3.0%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises NAICS 551100 | 16,750 | 19.9% | $167,870 | $80.71 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999100 | 6,240 | 7.4% | $161,470 | $77.63 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing NAICS 336400 | 2,540 | 3.0% | $163,780 | $78.74 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) NAICS 999300 | 2,510 | 3.0% | $126,130 | $60.64 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) NAICS 4230A1 | 2,270 | 2.7% | $131,660 | $63.30 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (84,320). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $127,150 for purchasing managers in May 2021 and $148,080 in May 2025, with employment of 69,310 and 84,320.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $127,150 | $61.13 | 69,310 |
| May 2022 | $131,350 | $63.15 | 75,070 |
| May 2023 | $136,380 | $65.57 | 77,530 |
| May 2024 | $139,510 | $67.07 | 81,240 |
| May 2025 | $148,080 | $71.19 | 84,320 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
51 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia profile | $84.48 | $175,720 | $147,220 | $195,190 | 1,110 | 1.59 | 2.92 |
| 2 | New Jersey profile | $83.90 | $174,520 | $117,660 | $285,280 | 3,430 | 0.80 | 1.47 |
| 3 | Colorado profile | $82.33 | $171,250 | $122,790 | $247,610 | 1,320 | 0.46 | 0.85 |
| 4 | Massachusetts profile | $82.09 | $170,750 | $105,500 | $266,990 | 2,160 | 0.59 | 1.10 |
| 5 | New York profile | $79.95 | $166,300 | $102,800 | $282,360 | 6,930 | 0.72 | 1.32 |
| 6 | Virginia profile | $79.92 | $166,230 | $109,270 | $222,230 | 3,540 | 0.86 | 1.59 |
| 7 | New Hampshire profile | $78.32 | $162,900 | $104,010 | $214,710 | 540 | 0.79 | 1.46 |
| 8 | Washington profile | $78.24 | $162,730 | $112,120 | $220,350 | 1,770 | 0.50 | 0.92 |
| 9 | Maryland profile | $77.63 | $161,470 | $102,900 | $199,950 | 2,380 | 0.86 | 1.59 |
| 10 | Kansas profile | $76.85 | $159,850 | $101,890 | $221,670 | 920 | 0.64 | 1.19 |
| 11 | California profile | $76.84 | $159,830 | $99,560 | $241,340 | 7,470 | 0.41 | 0.76 |
| 12 | Arkansas profile | $75.22 | $156,450 | $74,290 | $273,100 | 930 | 0.72 | 1.32 |
| 13 | Georgia profile | $74.69 | $155,360 | $91,560 | $250,120 | 3,430 | 0.70 | 1.29 |
| 14 | Illinois profile | $73.74 | $153,370 | $100,990 | $225,450 | 4,160 | 0.68 | 1.26 |
| 15 | West Virginia profile | $70.78 | $147,220 | $89,080 | $194,410 | 180 | 0.26 | 0.47 |
| 16 | Minnesota profile | $69.62 | $144,810 | $95,200 | $216,480 | 1,340 | 0.45 | 0.84 |
| 17 | Michigan profile | $68.33 | $142,120 | $96,530 | $214,780 | 2,780 | 0.63 | 1.16 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania profile | $68.17 | $141,790 | $84,480 | $213,390 | 2,530 | 0.42 | 0.77 |
| 19 | Arizona profile | $66.80 | $138,940 | $97,810 | $211,510 | 1,630 | 0.51 | 0.93 |
| 20 | North Carolina profile | $66.69 | $138,710 | $94,240 | $219,150 | 2,670 | 0.54 | 1.00 |
| 21 | Connecticut profile | $66.68 | $138,680 | $99,440 | $218,460 | 1,420 | 0.83 | 1.54 |
| 22 | Oregon profile | $65.96 | $137,190 | $92,560 | $213,110 | 980 | 0.50 | 0.92 |
| 23 | Tennessee profile | $65.89 | $137,060 | $90,340 | $228,230 | 1,460 | 0.45 | 0.82 |
| 24 | Idaho profile | $65.85 | $136,970 | $79,790 | $207,010 | 270 | 0.32 | 0.59 |
| 25 | Maine profile | $65.37 | $135,970 | $88,400 | $189,970 | 170 | 0.26 | 0.48 |
| 26 | Vermont profile | $65.25 | $135,720 | $94,240 | $179,360 | 90 | 0.31 | 0.56 |
| 27 | New Mexico profile | $64.80 | $134,790 | $94,710 | $192,480 | 240 | 0.27 | 0.50 |
| 28 | Texas profile | $64.75 | $134,670 | $86,340 | $212,340 | 9,640 | 0.69 | 1.26 |
| 29 | Ohio profile | $64.70 | $134,580 | $93,780 | $216,800 | 3,490 | 0.63 | 1.16 |
| 30 | Rhode Island profile | $64.69 | $134,560 | $98,410 | $206,980 | 220 | 0.45 | 0.82 |
| 31 | Florida profile | $64.14 | $133,410 | $76,460 | $211,410 | 3,960 | 0.40 | 0.74 |
| 32 | Missouri profile | $63.51 | $132,100 | $80,080 | $205,880 | 960 | 0.33 | 0.60 |
| 33 | South Carolina profile | $63.33 | $131,720 | $83,210 | $201,790 | 830 | 0.36 | 0.66 |
| 34 | Alabama profile | $62.84 | $130,710 | $77,990 | $188,140 | 1,520 | 0.72 | 1.32 |
| 35 | North Dakota profile | $62.55 | $130,110 | $85,770 | $191,620 | 50 | 0.12 | 0.22 |
| 36 | South Dakota profile | $61.86 | $128,670 | $95,100 | $187,190 | 70 | 0.14 | 0.26 |
| 37 | Indiana profile | $61.00 | $126,880 | $80,270 | $192,260 | 1,190 | 0.37 | 0.69 |
| 38 | Utah profile | $60.55 | $125,940 | $83,620 | $186,710 | 510 | 0.30 | 0.54 |
| 39 | Wisconsin profile | $60.09 | $124,990 | $81,510 | $201,990 | 1,610 | 0.55 | 1.01 |
| 40 | Kentucky profile | $59.78 | $124,350 | $76,770 | $174,690 | 920 | 0.46 | 0.85 |
| 41 | Nebraska profile | $59.62 | $124,010 | $77,690 | $183,930 | 440 | 0.43 | 0.79 |
| 42 | Montana profile | $59.36 | $123,480 | $78,800 | $186,280 | 160 | 0.32 | 0.59 |
| 43 | Wyoming profile | $59.32 | $123,380 | $87,530 | $170,820 | 40 | 0.14 | 0.26 |
| 44 | Mississippi profile | $59.11 | $122,940 | $68,690 | $174,820 | 320 | 0.28 | 0.51 |
| 45 | Iowa profile | $58.45 | $121,580 | $81,500 | $197,010 | 610 | 0.39 | 0.72 |
| 46 | Nevada profile | $57.82 | $120,270 | $76,680 | $184,850 | 450 | 0.29 | 0.53 |
| 47 | Oklahoma profile | $57.36 | $119,310 | $78,560 | $173,930 | 480 | 0.28 | 0.52 |
| 48 | Alaska profile | $55.12 | $114,650 | $80,420 | $160,650 | 140 | 0.43 | 0.80 |
| 49 | Hawaii profile | $54.56 | $113,490 | $82,200 | $173,310 | 220 | 0.36 | 0.66 |
| 50 | Louisiana profile | $52.71 | $109,630 | $77,870 | $179,000 | 470 | 0.25 | 0.45 |
| – | Delaware profile | * | * | * | * | 150 | 0.32 | 0.59 |
Part of Management Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 11-3061 Purchasing Managers.
*- Wage estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 11-3061, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 11-3061.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.