As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate Buyer in the United States is $74,300 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.
However, an Intermediate Buyer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
An Intermediate Buyer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate Buyer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Buyer | 0-2 years | $61,117 |
| Intermediate Buyer | 2-4 years | $74,253 |
| Purchasing Generalist III | 4-7 years | $91,276 |
| Purchasing Generalist IV | 7+ years | $114,503 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Intermediate Buyers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 5.57% |
| Microsoft Office | 1.89% |
| Cost Reduction | 1.06% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Management
|
$79,501 |
7%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$78,758 |
6%
|
|
Merchandising
|
$78,758 |
6%
|
|
Analysis
|
$78,015 |
5%
|
|
Leadership
|
$78,015 |
5%
|
|
Presentation
|
$78,015 |
5%
|
Intermediate Buyer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $83,104. While startup companies pay approximate $70,281.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $70,281 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $74,333 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $80,253 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $83,104 |
For Intermediate Buyer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 67% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate Buyer positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate Buyer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $92,875 | $45.0 | 25% |
| Financial Services | $89,160 | $43.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $87,674 | $42.0 | 18% |
| Insurance | $85,445 | $41.0 | 15% |
| Energy & Utilities | $83,216 | $40.0 | 12% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Intermediate Buyers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Intermediate Buyer with a Associate's Degree is between $70,063 and $74,499).
Intermediate Buyer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.7% |
| High School | 20.1% |
| Associates | 9.0% |
| Bachelors | 53.7% |
| Masters | 15.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
Understanding how an Intermediate Buyer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Intermediate Buyer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing Generalist III | $91,300 | 23% |
| Commodities Purchasing Specialist III | $89,300 | 20% |
Salaries for an Intermediate Buyer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $70,974 in 2023 to around $70,943 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Intermediate Buyer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $70,974 |
| 2024 | $71,332 |
| 2025 | $70,943 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Intermediate Buyer and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Intermediate Buyer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Intermediate Buyer roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
The salary for an Intermediate Buyer in the US ranges from $67,100 to $83,400 per year, with a midpoint average of $74,900. These figures reflect the typical earnings for this role, providing a clear overview of the compensation landscape for buyers in the market.
How much does a Junior Buyer make? Based on salary data, Junior Buyers in the United States earn between $67,100 and $83,400 annually, with a median salary of $74,900. This translates to an hourly wage ranging from approximately $32.25 to $40.00, depending on experience and location.
The estimated total pay range for an Intermediate Buyer is $67,100 to $83,400 per year, which includes base salary and additional compensation. This reflects the current market data for this role, providing a clear understanding of the expected earnings in this position.
The average age of first-time homebuyers in the US is 38, an all-time high, reflecting current market trends. In 2024, the median age for first-time buyers was 38 years, as reported by the National Association of Realtors. For those in related roles, such as an Intermediate Buyer, salaries range from $67,100 to $83,400, with a midpoint of $74,900.
The Junior Buyer position is indeed a step above the Assistant Buyer role in the fashion buying career ladder. In terms of salary, Junior Buyers typically earn between $67,100 and $83,400, with a mid-range salary of $74,900, reflecting their increased responsibilities and experience compared to Assistant Buyers.
The average annual salary for an Intermediate Buyer is between $67,100 and $83,400, with a mid-salary of $74,900. While the overall average salary in the U.S. is around $66,622, specific roles like Intermediate Buyer can offer higher compensation, reflecting the variation in salaries across different professions and states.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
