BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Purchasing Managers in California

$165,780 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$79.7 per hour

▲ 6.0% above U.S. average8th of 50 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$165,780per year
Median$159,830per year
Hourly$79.7per hour
10th – 90th percentile$99,560 – $241,340per year

Purchasing Managers Pay Range in California

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$99,560
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$125,000
  • 50th Percentile — Median$159,830
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$196,620
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$241,340

Half of Purchasing Managers in California earn more than $159,830. The top 10% make $241,340 or more, while entry-level workers start around $99,560.

Purchasing Managers in California: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • California ranks 8th of 50 states for Purchasing Managers pay, at $165,780 per year (6.0% above the U.S. average of $156,360).
  • 7,470 people work as Purchasing Managers in California — 8.9% of all U.S. Purchasing Managers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.76: Purchasing Managers jobs are less concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $99,560; the top 10% earn over $241,340.
  • Hourly equivalent: $79.7 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $186,350.
  • Among management jobs in California, Chief Executives pays the most ($272,920).

Purchasing Managers Job Market in California

Key factors affecting compensation

California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Purchasing Managers here earn $165,780 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $165,780 is roughly equivalent to $116,746 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New York ($177,260), District of Columbia ($175,130), Virginia ($170,830) are the closest alternatives for Purchasing Managers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Purchasing Managers salary in California?

The average Purchasing Managers salary in California is $165,780 per year (median $159,830), which is 6.0% above the national average of $156,360.

How does California rank for Purchasing Managers pay?

California ranks 8th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is New Jersey ($186,350/yr).

How much do entry-level Purchasing Managers make in California?

The lowest-paid 10% of Purchasing Managers in California earn about $99,560 per year and the 25th percentile is $125,000.

How much do Purchasing Managers make per hour in California?

About $79.7 per hour, based on the $165,780 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Purchasing Managers work in California?

BLS counts 7,470 Purchasing Managers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).

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