California Median
$159,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$76.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $148,080
State Rank
#11 of 50
7,470 employed here
How much does a Purchasing Manager make in California?
Purchasing Managers in California take home a median of $159,830 annually — roughly $76.84 an hour — which runs 8% above the national median of $148,080.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $99,560 while the top 10% make $241,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $125,000 and $196,620 a year.
Purchasing Manager salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,560 | $47.87 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $125,000 | $60.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $159,830 | $76.84 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $196,620 | $94.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $241,340 | $116.03 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 11th out of 50 states and territories for Purchasing Manager pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Purchasing Manager salary in other states
District of Columbia $175,720New Jersey $174,520Colorado $171,250Massachusetts $170,750New York $166,300Virginia $166,230New Hampshire $162,900Washington $162,730Maryland $161,470Kansas $159,850Arkansas $156,450Georgia $155,360Illinois $153,370West Virginia $147,220Minnesota $144,810Michigan $142,120Pennsylvania $141,790Arizona $138,940North Carolina $138,710Connecticut $138,680Oregon $137,190Tennessee $137,060Idaho $136,970Maine $135,970Vermont $135,720New Mexico $134,790Texas $134,670Ohio $134,580Rhode Island $134,560Florida $133,410Missouri $132,100South Carolina $131,720Alabama $130,710North Dakota $130,110South Dakota $128,670Indiana $126,880Utah $125,940Wisconsin $124,990Kentucky $124,350Nebraska $124,010Montana $123,480Wyoming $123,380Mississippi $122,940Iowa $121,580Nevada $120,270Oklahoma $119,310Alaska $114,650Hawaii $113,490Louisiana $109,630
Working as a Purchasing Manager in California
Nationally, about 84,000 people work as Purchasing Managers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($159,830) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Purchasing Manager make in California?
The median Purchasing Manager salary in California is $159,830 per year, or about $76.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $99,560 at the entry level to $241,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Purchasing Managers about 8% more than the national median of $148,080. California ranks 11th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Purchasing Managers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $159,830 a year. About 7,470 Purchasing Managers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Purchasing Manager salary report
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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). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.