Median Salary
$77,710
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$37.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$128,870
entry level starts ~$48,380
Pay Grade
B+
strong pay · 491,000 employed
How much do Buyers and Purchasing Agents make?
The median pay for Buyers and Purchasing Agents in the United States is $77,710 per year — about $37.36 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $48,380, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $128,870.
That is $16,320 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary range by percentile
Half of all Buyers and Purchasing Agents earn between $60,800 and $100,820 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,380 | $23.26 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $60,800 | $29.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,710 | $37.36 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,820 | $48.47 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,870 | $61.96 |
|
Highest-paying states for Buyers and Purchasing Agents
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Buyers and Purchasing Agents pay at $124,090 a year, followed by New Jersey ($93,250) and Maryland ($90,900). At the other end, Montana posts the lowest median at $62,850 — a gap of $61,240 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
District of Columbia $124,090New Jersey $93,250Maryland $90,900Virginia $89,210Rhode Island $86,240Massachusetts $85,970Washington $85,130Colorado $83,590Alaska $83,460Connecticut $83,030Delaware $82,920California $82,720Minnesota $80,370New York $79,460Illinois $78,470Maine $77,630New Hampshire $77,270New Mexico $76,740Ohio $76,410North Dakota $76,400Texas $76,050Michigan $75,900North Carolina $75,880Arkansas $75,870West Virginia $75,670South Carolina $75,550Arizona $75,340Oregon $75,050Nebraska $74,950Utah $74,540Georgia $74,530Hawaii $74,240Alabama $74,030South Dakota $73,990Pennsylvania $73,550Nevada $72,990Florida $72,850Wyoming $72,200Mississippi $71,850Oklahoma $71,850Wisconsin $70,880Iowa $70,360Kansas $69,500Indiana $69,350Idaho $69,240Louisiana $66,340Missouri $65,650Tennessee $65,430Vermont $65,330Kentucky $65,240Montana $62,850
Workforce and education
About 491,000 people work as Buyers and Purchasing Agents in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $83,770 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Buyers and Purchasing Agents make in the United States?
The median Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary in the United States is $77,710 per year, or about $37.36 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,380, while the top 10% of earners make $128,870 or more.
How does Buyers and Purchasing Agents pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B+ (strong pay), the Buyers and Purchasing Agents median of $77,710 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Buyers and Purchasing Agents the most?
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state for Buyers and Purchasing Agents, with a median salary of $124,090 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
What education do Buyers and Purchasing Agents need?
For most positions, a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, according to O*NET occupation data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents work in the United States?
About 491,000 people were employed as Buyers and Purchasing Agents in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.