What Purchasing Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Purchasing Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Maintain records of goods ordered and received"; "Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales"; "Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment"; "Control purchasing department budgets"; "Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related occupation is typically 5 years or more.
Job outlook for Purchasing Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 88,300 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 91,800 in 2035, an increase of 3,500 jobs (+4%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 6,400 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $148,080, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Purchasing Managers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $163,964 in New York to $169,022 in New Jersey, a gap of $5,057 (1.03 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $148,080 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 9,410, which is 50.9% of the 18,480 counted across them. New York follows with 9,070.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($169,022) and New York ($163,964) lead the ranking, while New York ($163,964) and New Jersey ($169,022) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Purchasing Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-3000) include Computer and Information Systems Managers, Financial Managers, Human Resources Managers and Industrial Production Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Purchasing Managers
How much do Purchasing Managers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $148,080. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $163,964 to $169,022.
Which state pays Purchasing Managers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $169,022. New York is next at $163,964.
Is Purchasing Managers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 6,400 openings a year.
What education do Purchasing Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree, with work experience in a related occupation of 5 years or more, according to BLS.