Purchasing Agent Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $105,632 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $103,588 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $96,773 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $94,047 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $89,958 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $88,595 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $87,232 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $85,188 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $83,143 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $78,372 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $78,372 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $77,691 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $76,328 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $74,965 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $74,965 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $73,602 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $71,558 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $71,558 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $69,513 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $69,513 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $68,150 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $68,150 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $67,468 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $67,468 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $66,787 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $64,742 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $64,742 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $63,380 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $63,380 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $63,380 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $62,698 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $62,698 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $62,016 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $61,335 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $59,972 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $59,972 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $59,972 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $59,972 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $59,972 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $59,972 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $59,290 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $59,290 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $59,290 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $58,609 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $57,928 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $57,928 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $57,246 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $56,564 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $56,564 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $54,520 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $53,157 | -22.0% | Medium |
A Purchasing Agent's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Purchasing Agents typically earn $43,738–$56,888 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $86,475–$97,704 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Purchasing Agent role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 2.5% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Finance sector.
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What is the average salary for a Purchasing Agent?The average salary for a Purchasing Agent in the United States is $68,150 per year, with a median of $64,050.
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What is the starting salary for a Purchasing Agent?Entry-level Purchasing Agents typically earn between $43,738 and $56,888 per year depending on location and employer.
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What state pays Purchasing Agents the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Purchasing Agents the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
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How much does a Purchasing Agent make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $68,150, a Purchasing Agent earns approximately $32.76 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
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Is Purchasing Agent a good career in 2026?Yes — the Purchasing Agent role has medium demand with 2.5% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.