Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary in California
Buyers and Purchasing Agents in California earn a median of $82,720 a year ($39.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 48,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,310 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $77,710. California ranks 12th of 51 states for buyers and purchasing agents pay. There are 2.6 buyers and purchasing agents per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $90,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for buyers and purchasing agents in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| 25th percentile | $66,150 | $31.80 |
| Median | $82,720 | $39.77 |
| 75th percentile | $107,490 | $51.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,310 | $64.57 |
| Average (mean) | $90,900 | $43.70 |
Half of buyers and purchasing agents earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,893.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,446.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,181.54 |
| Weekly | $1,590.77 |
| Hourly | $39.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,500 | 3,380 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $93,600 | 6,300 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $83,090 | 4,710 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,500 | 18,270 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $82,040 | 490 |
| Napa, CA | $80,960 | 150 |
| Salinas, CA | $80,500 | 350 |
| Vallejo, CA | $80,490 | 330 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $80,120 | 670 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $80,090 | 2,250 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $79,700 | 460 |
| Yuba City, CA | $79,530 | 100 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $79,390 | 1,060 |
| Modesto, CA | $78,970 | 410 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,760 | 640 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $77,250 | 260 |
| Merced, CA | $76,820 | 130 |
| El Centro, CA | $76,380 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $75,780 | 3,650 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $74,750 | 260 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $74,510 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $72,080 | 830 |
| Visalia, CA | $69,050 | 270 |
| Chico, CA | $67,410 | 160 |
| Redding, CA | $65,830 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for buyers and purchasing agents
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $124,090 |
| New Jersey | $93,250 |
| Maryland | $90,900 |
| Virginia | $89,210 |
| Rhode Island | $86,240 |
| Massachusetts | $85,970 |
| Washington | $85,130 |
| Colorado | $83,590 |
| Alaska | $83,460 |
| Connecticut | $83,030 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $87,570 | $42.10 |
| Management Analyst | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Project Management Specialist | $120,910 | $58.13 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $83,500 | $40.14 |
| Compliance Officer | $96,980 | $46.63 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| Logistician | $92,890 | $44.66 |
| Cost Estimator | $85,460 | $41.09 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $91,790 | $44.13 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $71,120 | $34.19 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| Fundraiser | $79,710 | $38.32 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1020. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a buyers and purchasing agents make in California?
The median salary for buyers and purchasing agents in California is $82,720 a year, or $39.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid buyers and purchasing agents make in California?
The top 10% of buyers and purchasing agents in California earn at least $134,310 a year. The top 25% earn $107,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for buyers and purchasing agents in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,690 a year, and a quarter of buyers and purchasing agents earn $66,150 or less.
How many buyers and purchasing agents work in California?
About 48,010 buyers and purchasing agents are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.