Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Long-term incentive is not shown for this role. Equity awards are only disclosed publicly for the named executive officers of public companies, so no market figure exists for most jobs. See executive pay disclosures.
About this role
Purchasing Manager is a professional role within the function in the Management job family.
Typical experience: 7 to 12 years at the Manager level, per widely used corporate career-level norms (Radford, Mercer, and SHRM career-level frameworks). Actual expectations vary by function, industry, and company size.
Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
Top skills:SpeakingManagement of Personnel ResourcesActive ListeningWritingTime ManagementSocial Perceptiveness
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Purchasing Manager pay by experience level
Entry level$95,500
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$119,500
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$153,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$188,500
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$231,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+3.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
6,400
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Purchasing Manager salary by industry
Management of Companies and Enterprises
16,750 workers
$185,000
Management of Companies and Enterprises
16,750 workers
$185,000
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
10,210 workers
$151,500
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
7,400 workers
$179,500
Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation)
6,240 workers
$168,500
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods
5,080 workers
$153,000
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing
4,510 workers
$157,500
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods
4,390 workers
$161,500
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing
2,780 workers
$165,500
Machinery Manufacturing
2,540 workers
$146,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
Typical duties and FLSA status
Core duties
Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.
FLSA classification (typical)
Typically Exempt · Executive exemption
Managerial roles at this level typically qualify for the Executive exemption because they customarily direct the work of two or more full-time employees and have authority over hiring, firing, or promotion decisions. Actual classification depends on the specific job duties, salary basis, and any applicable state or local rules. The current federal salary threshold for exemption is $684 per week ($35,568 per year), per the 2020 Department of Labor rule; the 2024 rule that would have raised the threshold was struck down by federal court in November 2024.
How this role compares
Purchasing Manager pays 13% above the average across 58 roles in the Management job family (family average $144,000).
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Purchasing Manager make?
The average base salary for a Purchasing Manager in the United States is $162,000 per year, or about $77.88 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $119,500 and $188,500 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Management roles?
The Management job family averages $144,000 across 58 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role? WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
Need Purchasing Manager pay benchmarked for your organization, or defensible compensation analysis for a dispute or valuation? Grahall builds it from primary sources, backed by an expert who testifies.
