Purchasing Managers Salary
The median pay for a purchasing managers in Tennessee is $137,060/year ($65.89/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $90K at the entry level to $228K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.78), which stretches that salary to about $152,662 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,215/month, or 13.8% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $137K get you in Tennessee?
About purchasing managers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Tennessee
Purchasing managers pay in Tennessee tracks closely to the national median, $137K locally vs. $148K nationwide, a 7% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,215/month, 14% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.78 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level purchasing managers (10th percentile) start around $90K. Mid-career wages sit at $137K. Top earners bring in $228K or more, a $138K spread from bottom to top.
Purchasing Managers salary by metro in Tennessee
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $157K | +14% | 240 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $140K | +2% | 570 |
| Knoxville | $140K | +2% | 210 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $130K | -5% | 80 |
| Chattanooga | $124K | -10% | 100 |
| Clarksville | $121K | -12% | 50 |
| Johnson City | $118K | -14% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track purchasing managers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
Related careers in Management
Frequently asked questions
Can a purchasing manager afford a 2BR apartment alone in Tennessee?
Yes — at the median salary of $137K, rent takes 14% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,215/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for purchasing managers in Tennessee?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new purchasing managers typically earn — is $90K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $5,420/month. At HUD’s $1,215/month FMR, rent would take 22% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is purchasing manager a high-paying job in Tennessee?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $137K locally vs. $148K nationally, a 7% difference.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for purchasing managers?
Tennessee pays $137K median vs. the U.S. average of $148K — that’s -7%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.78), the purchasing-power equivalent is $153K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do purchasing managers make in Tennessee?
The median is $137,060 a year, that works out to about $66 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $90,340, and experienced purchasing managers can clear $228,230. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $137K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,703/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 14% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a purchasing managers salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 89.78 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median purchasing managers salary is worth about $152,662 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do purchasing managers 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.