Pay, demand and where to work, from BLS data with the year on every table.
low → high: location quotient
Click a state. States: Alabama · Alaska · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Hawaii · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maine · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Montana · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New Mexico · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · Rhode Island · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Vermont · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming.
By AtiveSite · Published 07/11/2026 · Updated 07/11/2026 · Every figure is linked to its source below.
Purchasing managers (SOC 11-3061) employed 84,320 people in May 2025. The median pay is $148,080 a year ($71.19 an hour); the lowest-paid 10% earn under $92,490 and the highest-paid 10% more than $223,280. BLS projects its employment to change by +4.0% between 2025 and 2035 (about 6,400 openings a year including replacements). The typical way in: Bachelor's degree, with 5 years or more experience in a related occupation.
Highest median pay: District of Columbia ($175,720), New Jersey ($174,520), Colorado ($171,250). Most jobs: Texas (9,640), California (7,470), New York (6,930).
| Measure ⇅ | Annual ⇅ | Hourly equivalent ⇅ |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,490 | $44.47 |
| 25th percentile | $115,550 | $55.55 |
| Median | $148,080 | $71.19 |
| Mean | $156,360 | $75.17 |
| 75th percentile | $182,270 | $87.63 |
| 90th percentile (experienced) | $223,280 | $107.35 |
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
Hourly equivalents divide by 2,080 hours. Pay above $239,200 is shown as "≥ $239,200" (BLS top code).
| Measure ⇅ | Value ⇅ |
|---|---|
| Jobs 2025 | 88,300 |
| Jobs 2035 (projected) | 91,800 |
| Change in jobs | 3,500 |
| Percent change | +4.0% |
| Openings a year (growth + replacements) | 6,400 |
| Self-employed share | 3.5% |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work experience in a related occupation | 5 years or more |
| Typical on-the-job training | None |
Licences and certifications are set by states and employers; the education shown is the usual entry requirement, not a legal one.
| State ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Median vs US ⇅ | Yearly rent as % of median pay ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,520 | 1.32 | $130,710 | $77,990 | $188,140 | -12% | 10% |
| Alaska | 140 | 0.80 | $114,650 | $80,420 | $160,650 | -23% | 15% |
| Arizona | 1,630 | 0.93 | $138,940 | $97,810 | $211,510 | -6% | 14% |
| Arkansas | 930 | 1.32 | $156,450 | $74,290 | $273,100 | +6% | 8% |
| California | 7,470 | 0.76 | $159,830 | $99,560 | $241,340 | +8% | 16% |
| Colorado | 1,320 | 0.85 | $171,250 | $122,790 | $247,610 | +16% | 13% |
| Connecticut | 1,420 | 1.54 | $138,680 | $99,440 | $218,460 | -6% | 13% |
| Delaware | 150 | 0.59 | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| District of Columbia | 1,110 | 2.92 | $175,720 | $147,220 | $195,190 | +19% | 13% |
| Florida | 3,960 | 0.74 | $133,410 | $76,460 | $211,410 | -10% | 16% |
| Georgia | 3,430 | 1.29 | $155,360 | $91,560 | $250,120 | +5% | 12% |
| Hawaii | 220 | 0.66 | $113,490 | $82,200 | $173,310 | -23% | 21% |
| Idaho | 270 | 0.59 | $136,970 | $79,790 | $207,010 | -8% | 12% |
| Illinois | 4,160 | 1.26 | $153,370 | $100,990 | $225,450 | +4% | 10% |
| Indiana | 1,190 | 0.69 | $126,880 | $80,270 | $192,260 | -14% | 10% |
| Iowa | 610 | 0.72 | $121,580 | $81,500 | $197,010 | -18% | 10% |
| Kansas | 920 | 1.19 | $159,850 | $101,890 | $221,670 | +8% | 8% |
| Kentucky | 920 | 0.85 | $124,350 | $76,770 | $174,690 | -16% | 10% |
| Louisiana | 470 | 0.45 | $109,630 | $77,870 | $179,000 | -26% | 12% |
| Maine | 170 | 0.48 | $135,970 | $88,400 | $189,970 | -8% | 11% |
| Maryland | 2,380 | 1.59 | $161,470 | $102,900 | $199,950 | +9% | 13% |
| Massachusetts | 2,160 | 1.10 | $170,750 | $105,500 | $266,990 | +15% | 13% |
| Michigan | 2,780 | 1.16 | $142,120 | $96,530 | $214,780 | -4% | 10% |
| Minnesota | 1,340 | 0.84 | $144,810 | $95,200 | $216,480 | -2% | 11% |
| Mississippi | 320 | 0.51 | $122,940 | $68,690 | $174,820 | -17% | 10% |
| Missouri | 960 | 0.60 | $132,100 | $80,080 | $205,880 | -11% | 10% |
| Montana | 160 | 0.59 | $123,480 | $78,800 | $186,280 | -17% | 11% |
| Nebraska | 440 | 0.79 | $124,010 | $77,690 | $183,930 | -16% | 11% |
| Nevada | 450 | 0.53 | $120,270 | $76,680 | $184,850 | -19% | 17% |
| New Hampshire | 540 | 1.46 | $162,900 | $104,010 | $214,710 | +10% | 11% |
| New Jersey | 3,430 | 1.47 | $174,520 | $117,660 | $285,280 | +18% | 12% |
| New Mexico | 240 | 0.50 | $134,790 | $94,710 | $192,480 | -9% | 10% |
| New York | 6,930 | 1.32 | $166,300 | $102,800 | $282,360 | +12% | 12% |
| North Carolina | 2,670 | 1.00 | $138,710 | $94,240 | $219,150 | -6% | 12% |
| North Dakota | 50 | 0.22 | $130,110 | $85,770 | $191,620 | -12% | 9% |
| Ohio | 3,490 | 1.16 | $134,580 | $93,780 | $216,800 | -9% | 10% |
| Oklahoma | 480 | 0.52 | $119,310 | $78,560 | $173,930 | -19% | 11% |
| Oregon | 980 | 0.92 | $137,190 | $92,560 | $213,110 | -7% | 14% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,530 | 0.77 | $141,790 | $84,480 | $213,390 | -4% | 11% |
| Rhode Island | 220 | 0.82 | $134,560 | $98,410 | $206,980 | -9% | 13% |
| South Carolina | 830 | 0.66 | $131,720 | $83,210 | $201,790 | -11% | 12% |
| South Dakota | 70 | 0.26 | $128,670 | $95,100 | $187,190 | -13% | 9% |
| Tennessee | 1,460 | 0.82 | $137,060 | $90,340 | $228,230 | -7% | 11% |
| Texas | 9,640 | 1.26 | $134,670 | $86,340 | $212,340 | -9% | 13% |
| Utah | 510 | 0.54 | $125,940 | $83,620 | $186,710 | -15% | 15% |
| Vermont | 90 | 0.56 | $135,720 | $94,240 | $179,360 | -8% | 12% |
| Virginia | 3,540 | 1.59 | $166,230 | $109,270 | $222,230 | +12% | 12% |
| Washington | 1,770 | 0.92 | $162,730 | $112,120 | $220,350 | +10% | 13% |
| West Virginia | 180 | 0.47 | $147,220 | $89,080 | $194,410 | -1% | 7% |
| Wisconsin | 1,610 | 1.01 | $124,990 | $81,510 | $201,990 | -16% | 11% |
| Wyoming | 40 | 0.26 | $123,380 | $87,530 | $170,820 | -17% | 10% |
Location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in the state than in the nation. "n/a" means BLS suppressed the figure. Rent uses the state median gross rent (ACS).
The 60 highest-paying metropolitan areas among those with at least 300 jobs in this occupation.
| Metropolitan area ⇅ | Jobs ⇅ | Median pay ⇅ | Entry (10th pct.) ⇅ | Top (90th pct.) ⇅ | Location quotient ⇅ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 700 | $198,980 | $129,490 | $294,680 | 1.13 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | 330 | $180,340 | $131,880 | $289,430 | 2.53 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | 980 | $180,000 | $126,770 | $247,630 | 1.12 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | 410 | $176,300 | $95,850 | $339,000 | 2.74 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 1,940 | $174,640 | $107,600 | $277,150 | 1.32 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 4,180 | $172,150 | $132,890 | $217,790 | 2.46 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 7,370 | $171,810 | $117,120 | $292,610 | 1.43 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 1,320 | $170,440 | $106,710 | $275,340 | 1.02 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | 370 | $167,860 | $106,180 | $245,190 | 1.69 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 2,590 | $165,910 | $97,060 | $292,480 | 1.65 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 1,260 | $165,430 | $119,490 | $232,380 | 1.12 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 1,490 | $163,660 | $103,140 | $221,410 | 1.45 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 690 | $161,910 | $102,730 | $221,670 | 1.17 |
| Rochester, NY | 350 | $161,120 | $100,920 | $231,850 | 1.31 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 680 | $158,620 | $99,470 | $226,910 | 0.82 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 2,800 | $156,400 | $99,440 | $226,110 | 0.82 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1,470 | $155,500 | $98,390 | $228,860 | 0.94 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 3,250 | $155,080 | $102,690 | $225,450 | 1.33 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 1,070 | $151,990 | $93,930 | $195,450 | 1.46 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | 1,070 | $150,190 | $98,590 | $219,530 | 1.79 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 1,010 | $149,990 | $98,760 | $217,320 | 0.95 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | 740 | $149,030 | $97,030 | $214,510 | 1.13 |
| Richmond, VA | 490 | $147,410 | $99,800 | $216,450 | 1.37 |
| Huntsville, AL | 520 | $146,970 | $98,070 | $193,420 | 3.60 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 870 | $144,270 | $98,160 | $228,510 | 1.18 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 500 | $143,230 | $104,260 | $201,000 | 1.21 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 460 | $142,360 | $85,920 | $210,940 | 0.76 |
| Columbus, OH | 560 | $141,490 | $93,360 | $221,230 | 0.93 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 930 | $140,820 | $95,020 | $225,340 | 1.32 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 570 | $140,410 | $100,250 | $239,370 | 0.95 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | 1,270 | $140,170 | $98,600 | $220,010 | 0.99 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 660 | $139,430 | $80,390 | $210,970 | 0.84 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 2,630 | $139,050 | $87,970 | $210,420 | 1.47 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | 500 | $139,050 | $97,590 | $225,170 | 1.23 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 3,400 | $137,820 | $90,650 | $215,880 | 1.55 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 370 | $136,970 | $83,830 | $204,670 | 0.89 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | 300 | $135,850 | $97,360 | $206,980 | 0.78 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 700 | $135,400 | $83,600 | $202,180 | 0.96 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 390 | $135,240 | $92,570 | $187,260 | 0.64 |
| Cleveland, OH | 500 | $134,030 | $90,460 | $224,920 | 0.90 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 580 | $133,660 | $104,990 | $214,650 | 1.77 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 680 | $131,660 | $85,360 | $207,410 | 1.12 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 1,230 | $131,400 | $74,260 | $216,180 | 0.80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 450 | $131,070 | $89,380 | $202,510 | 0.49 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | 570 | $129,470 | $74,220 | $207,160 | 0.74 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 610 | $127,950 | $83,250 | $202,010 | 1.38 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | 400 | $126,980 | $84,640 | $196,770 | 1.22 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | 330 | $115,290 | $76,680 | $183,770 | 0.54 |
| Birmingham, AL | 300 | $110,900 | $72,240 | $211,940 | 1.06 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | 640 | $106,440 | $72,330 | $176,280 | 2.61 |
The median is $148,080 a year ($71.19 an hour); the lowest-paid tenth earn under $92,490 and the highest-paid tenth over $223,280 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
84,320 in May 2025, and BLS projects +4.0% growth to 2035.
The typical entry education is: Bachelor's degree (BLS).
District of Columbia, with a median of $175,720 (among states with published figures).