Salary guide, May 2025
Purchasing Manager pay, United States
Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.
This is what we do all day: recruit manufacturing professionals.
The median annual wage for Purchasing Managers in the United States was $148,080 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $115,550 and $182,270.
Also searched as: Purchasing Director. These titles share this page because BLS reports them under one occupation.
Broader occupation · SOC 11-3061 Purchasing Managers
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title.
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $92,490 | $115,550 | $148,080 | $182,270 | $223,280 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $44.47 | $55.55 | $71.19 | $87.63 | $107.35 |
BLS estimated 84,320 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 11-3061 Purchasing Managers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
How does pay compare in the target metros?
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $131,400 | $96,590 to $169,870 | 1,230 | 0.8 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $139,430 | $104,940 to $165,780 | 660 | 0.84 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $129,470 | $95,060 to $172,310 | 570 | 0.74 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $139,050 | $114,950 to $180,550 | 500 | 1.23 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $171,810 | $140,240 to $217,340 | 7,370 | 1.43 |
| Northern New Jersey within New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $171,810 | $140,240 to $217,340 | 7,370 | 1.43 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $137,820 | $108,900 to $170,240 | 3,400 | 1.55 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $155,080 | $128,970 to $185,230 | 3,250 | 1.33 |
Rank every metro for Purchasing Manager
What should you know about pay by manufacturing industry, United States?
Same BLS occupation, national estimates for each manufacturing industry (NAICS) BLS publishes, May 2025. Industry names are BLS labels.
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing$178,520
- Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing$171,300
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$171,000
- Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing$171,000
- Grain and Oilseed Milling$167,120
- Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing$165,230
- Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing$164,660
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing$163,780
- Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing$162,550
- Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing$161,220
- Apparel Manufacturing$160,250
- Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing$156,980
- Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing$154,330
- Chemical Manufacturing$153,270
- Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing$151,730
Bars show up to 15 industries with exact annual medians. The table lists every published industry.
| NAICS | Industry | Employment | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 20,100 | $111,730 | $136,610 | $172,080 |
| 336000 | Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 4,510 | $124,660 | $142,320 | $173,510 |
| 334000 | Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | 2,780 | $125,730 | $156,980 | $184,520 |
| 333000 | Machinery Manufacturing | 2,540 | $106,350 | $129,920 | $169,780 |
| 336400 | Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 2,540 | $132,910 | $163,780 | $181,070 |
| 325000 | Chemical Manufacturing | 2,200 | $123,970 | $153,270 | $187,100 |
| 3330A1 | Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 1,950 | $107,020 | $130,650 | $168,530 |
| 332000 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 1,540 | $100,920 | $125,450 | $152,320 |
| 334500 | Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | 1,440 | $126,700 | $161,220 | $179,140 |
| 311000 | Food Manufacturing | 1,410 | $107,200 | $134,610 | $172,280 |
| 335000 | Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | 1,050 | $107,010 | $127,980 | $159,790 |
| 325400 | Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 1,020 | $129,760 | $164,660 | $209,620 |
| 339000 | Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 1,010 | $106,820 | $135,170 | $173,690 |
| 336300 | Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 970 | $110,230 | $130,390 | $160,670 |
| 3320A1 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 870 | $104,510 | $127,160 | $155,100 |
| 334400 | Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 860 | $124,040 | $154,330 | $191,300 |
| 3250A1 | Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 820 | $121,580 | $150,090 | $176,470 |
| 326000 | Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 660 | $103,940 | $126,020 | $161,910 |
| 339100 | Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | 650 | $125,790 | $151,730 | $178,830 |
| 326100 | Plastics Product Manufacturing | 560 | $103,380 | $123,750 | $164,500 |
| 322000 | Paper Manufacturing | 530 | $113,100 | $131,670 | $158,250 |
| 331000 | Primary Metal Manufacturing | 500 | $108,750 | $134,000 | $170,530 |
| 3320A2 | Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 450 | $96,440 | $121,720 | $145,990 |
| 311900 | Other Food Manufacturing | 400 | $110,700 | $137,320 | $172,640 |
| 335300 | Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | 400 | $108,890 | $128,410 | $156,180 |
| 3250A2 | Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | 360 | $115,100 | $132,360 | $166,670 |
| 339900 | Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 360 | $95,190 | $115,250 | $154,490 |
| 322100 | Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 330 | $111,230 | $130,880 | $157,310 |
| 335900 | Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | 320 | $109,690 | $132,730 | $172,100 |
| 336200 | Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 320 | $96,580 | $126,330 | $157,070 |
| 337000 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 320 | $94,740 | $109,210 | $135,960 |
| 321000 | Wood Product Manufacturing | 310 | $84,930 | $104,010 | $128,250 |
| 336100 | Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 300 | $114,960 | $134,760 | $164,260 |
| 3370A1 | Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | 300 | $93,840 | $105,770 | $131,770 |
| 334200 | Communications Equipment Manufacturing | 260 | $126,540 | $149,430 | $173,590 |
| 333300 | Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | 250 | $103,170 | $122,510 | $166,570 |
| 335200 | Household Appliance Manufacturing | 250 | $102,390 | $112,630 | $154,620 |
| 311600 | Animal Slaughtering and Processing | 240 | $92,990 | $122,870 | $164,910 |
| 311400 | Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | 210 | $105,240 | $132,480 | $177,730 |
| 322200 | Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | 200 | $114,410 | $137,290 | $164,030 |
| 332700 | Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 200 | $94,260 | $117,850 | $148,080 |
| 333600 | Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | 180 | $126,640 | $171,300 | $212,850 |
| 334100 | Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | 180 | $134,860 | $178,520 | $219,720 |
| 336600 | Ship and Boat Building | 180 | $103,400 | $125,730 | $141,250 |
| 321900 | Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 170 | $80,390 | $94,490 | $114,180 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 170 | $103,310 | $132,760 | $159,990 |
| 327000 | Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 170 | $103,310 | $132,760 | $159,990 |
| 324000 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 150 | $134,990 | $171,000 | $198,190 |
| 324100 | Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 150 | $134,990 | $171,000 | $198,190 |
| 333500 | Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 150 | $87,880 | $112,170 | $130,260 |
| 311500 | Dairy Product Manufacturing | 140 | $107,150 | $135,180 | $174,150 |
| 311800 | Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | 140 | $106,680 | $126,260 | $153,410 |
| 331100 | Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 140 | $109,790 | $131,110 | $184,250 |
| 312000 | Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | 130 | $116,780 | $145,010 | $170,590 |
| 323000 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 130 | $86,800 | $108,100 | $130,930 |
| 323100 | Printing and Related Support Activities | 130 | $86,800 | $108,100 | $130,930 |
| 311300 | Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 120 | $130,920 | $165,230 | $184,760 |
| 312100 | Beverage Manufacturing | 120 | $112,710 | $140,360 | $169,110 |
| 331200 | Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 120 | $108,000 | $137,690 | $157,270 |
| 336500 | Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | 120 | $100,450 | $134,060 | $157,130 |
| 326200 | Rubber Product Manufacturing | 110 | $119,460 | $137,590 | $157,890 |
| 332710 | Machine Shops | 110 | $89,990 | $109,210 | $135,050 |
| 332720 | Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 100 | $101,080 | $128,370 | $155,350 |
| 331400 | Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 90 | $122,220 | $140,860 | $189,420 |
| 311200 | Grain and Oilseed Milling | 80 | $129,070 | $167,120 | $229,960 |
| 331500 | Foundries | 80 | $99,840 | $119,620 | $154,310 |
| 335100 | Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | 80 | $103,200 | $140,340 | $163,560 |
| 315000 | Apparel Manufacturing | 70 | $131,870 | $160,250 | $185,100 |
| 321100 | Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 70 | $99,760 | $121,630 | $134,300 |
| 331300 | Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 70 | $117,930 | $137,850 | $172,100 |
| 336900 | Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 70 | $111,520 | $125,730 | $146,240 |
| 311100 | Animal Food Manufacturing | 60 | $101,840 | $140,780 | $205,720 |
| 315200 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | 60 | $141,010 | $162,550 | $190,410 |
| 321200 | Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 60 | $106,190 | $128,960 | $139,980 |
| 313000 | Textile Mills | 50 | $105,770 | $131,720 | $184,850 |
| 313200 | Fabric Mills | 40 | $97,230 | $123,730 | $177,540 |
| 334300 | Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | 40 | $86,260 | $105,240 | $159,030 |
| 314000 | Textile Product Mills | 30 | $84,070 | $112,570 | $131,520 |
What should you know about manufacturing pay mix?
For Purchasing Manager, separate the guaranteed salary from any discretionary bonus or commission arrangement. OEWS includes base rate, guaranteed pay and production incentive pay. It excludes overtime premium, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses. An attendance bonus is not a production bonus; confirm its purpose and treatment rather than adding every bonus to the BLS figure.
Skills-based pay steps affect the base rate when they are part of straight-time pay; BLS does not publish a separate rate for each plant's skill grade. Ask whether a tool allowance is expense reimbursement or wage pay. OEWS does not publish a separate tool-allowance component. Keep these items separate in the offer so the published wage is not mistaken for the whole package.
Pay mix here means how published medians for this one BLS occupation differ across manufacturing industries and against the all-industry median. It does not split pay into base, incentive or overtime. BLS wages are straight-time gross pay and exclude overtime, shift differentials and nonproduction bonuses.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $107,430 | $139,510 | $175,460 |
| May 2025 | $115,550 | $148,080 | $182,270 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Recruiter's read. Qualitative, not BLS data.
What should you know about evidence worth asking for?
Ask for a supplier scorecard the candidate built or used, and what happened to a poor performer. Ask how they set reorder rules and how often lead times were reviewed against actual receipts. Ask who they called in engineering when a substitute part was needed. Good purchasing managers answer with names, parts and dates.
Their stories often include a quiet fix that prevented a repeat, which matters more than any single rescue.
What should you know about questions?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
What is the median pay for a Purchasing Manager?
The median annual wage for Purchasing Managers in the United States was $148,080 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $115,550 and $182,270. This is the broader occupation BLS publishes, not a figure for this exact title.
What does the 10th percentile mean here?
10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than $92,490. 90% earned less than $223,280.
Does this include overtime or bonuses?
Wages for the OEWS survey are straight-time, gross pay, exclusive of premium pay. Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
Is this the pay for a Purchasing Manager at a plant?
BLS measures this broader occupation across industries. It does not publish a separate wage for this manufacturing title. These are occupation estimates across all industries, not an offer for a particular manufacturing title.
How many people work in this occupation?
BLS estimated 84,320 workers employed in this occupation in the United States.
What should you know about related?
VP of Supply Chain / Director of Supply Chain pay Supply Chain Manager pay Strategic Sourcing Manager pay Supplier Development Engineer pay Materials Manager pay Purchasing Manager pay ranked across all metros Open jobs Purchasing Manager recruiting Check an offer for this role
What does this data mean for your opening?
The Purchasing Manager role relies on the broader BLS occupational grouping for Purchasing Managers, SOC 11-3061. National manufacturing industry data provides specific benchmarks, with Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing median at $178,520, Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing at $171,300, and Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing at $171,000.
Manufacturing Headhunters observes that these industry-specific figures often exceed the national median of $148,080 because they account for specialized direct material spend management, complex ERP system utilization, and certifications like the ISM CPSM, which the broader BLS classification does not isolate. The middle-band width is $66,720, spanning between the P25 of $115,550 and P75 of $182,270.
Comparing the national data against major metropolitan hubs highlights distinct wage profiles. In New York-Newark-Jersey City, the median is $171,810 with a P25 of $140,240, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria reports a median of $172,150 with a P25 of $156,730. These figures illustrate the premium paid in high-cost labor markets. The national median increased by $8,570 from the previous $139,510 figure in May 2024. Please note that BLS data reflects total compensation reported by employers but excludes non-cash benefits like equity, sign-on bonuses, and car allowances, which are frequent components of executive-level purchasing compensation packages.
The employment location quotient identifies concentration levels, not candidate availability. Our analysis of the wage records shows that purchasing responsibilities vary significantly based on direct versus indirect spend requirements. While the national median serves as a starting point, roles in highly technical manufacturing environments typically command compensation closer to the P75 band or higher. Factors such as the breadth of global sourcing, including activities in Asia or Mexico, and the scale of annual direct material expenditure are decisive variables in determining final offer structures. Clients should assess the specific manufacturing complexity of their supply chain rather than relying solely on the broad SOC median.
Which pay questions should you settle before hiring?
How does industry-specific data differ from the national median?
Industry-specific data such as Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing at $178,520 reflects higher specialized requirements not captured in the broader $148,080 national median. These sectors often demand specific technical procurement skills and certifications.
What is included in the pay components beyond BLS data?
The BLS reports exclude non-cash items such as equity, sign-on bonuses, and vehicle allowances. Manufacturing Headhunters notes these are standard in professional purchasing compensation structures.
What is the significance of the middle-band width?
The $66,720 middle-band width highlights the variation between the P25 and P75 compensation levels. This gap illustrates the range of professional experience and supply chain complexity across the market.
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