Buyers and Purchasing Agents Salary
In District of Columbia, buyers and purchasing agents earn $124,090 at the median, or about $59.66 an hour. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $182K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $113,970 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,146/month, or 29.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $124K get you in District of Columbia?
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
District of Columbia sits well above the national pay line for buyers and purchasing agents, local pay runs about 60% higher than the U.S. median of $78K. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.3% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level buyers and purchasing agents (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $124K. Top earners bring in $182K or more, a $112K spread from bottom to top.
Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $105K | -15% | 14,240 |
Compare to other states
Track buyers and purchasing agents salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a buyers and purchasing agent afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
Yes — at the median salary of $124K, rent takes 29.3% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for buyers and purchasing agents in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new buyers and purchasing agents typically earn — is $70K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,195/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 51% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is buyers and purchasing agent a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Local pay is 60% above the national median — $124K here vs. $78K nationally. Keep in mind cost of living here is 9% above the national average, which offsets some of that premium.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for buyers and purchasing agents?
District of Columbia pays $124K median vs. the U.S. average of $78K — that’s +60%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $114K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do buyers and purchasing agents make in District of Columbia?
The median is $124,090 a year, that works out to about $60 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $69,910, and experienced buyers and purchasing agents can clear $182,310. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $124K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,322/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 29.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a buyers and purchasing agents salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median buyers and purchasing agents salary is worth about $113,970 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do buyers and purchasing agents get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.