Shigoto Zukan
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How to become purchasing managerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Management & Consulting Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$148,080
25th–75th pct. $115,550–$182,270
Top pay (est.)
$290,300
Top 10% $223,280
Pay in 5 years
$167,700est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$189,900est.
$163,300–$220,500
Outlook score
57/100
★★★☆☆ Average
AI replacement risk
66%
High
Job growth (10 yr)
+4.0%
6,400 openings / yr

How to become purchasing managers

Typical education
Bachelor's degree
BLS
Related experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Purchasing Managers

Key skills

Persuasion
4.1
Management of Personnel Resources
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Social Perceptiveness
4.0
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Negotiation
4.0
Time Management
4.0
Writing
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Administrative
5.4
Customer and Personal Service
5.0
Administration and Management
4.9
Computers and Electronics
4.2
Personnel and Human Resources
4.1
Mathematics
4.0
English Language
4.0
Law and Government
4.0

What the work involves

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with People Outside the Organization

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionWritten ComprehensionOral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionWritten ExpressionDeductive Reasoning

Education of workers

Bachelor's degree
53%
Post-secondary certificate
16%
Master's degree
11%
Associate's degree
11%
Some college
5%
High school diploma
5%

Training before entry

3–6 months
21%
Up to 1 month
21%
1–2 years
16%
2–4 years
16%
None / short demo
11%
6–12 months
11%
Over 10 years
5%

Related work experience

2–4 years
32%
1–2 years
16%
Over 10 years
11%
4–6 years
11%
6–8 years
11%
8–10 years
11%
6–12 months
5%
3–6 months
5%

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as purchasing managers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.