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IT Purchasing Specialist I Salary in the United States

How much does an IT Purchasing Specialist I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an IT Purchasing Specialist I in the United States is $61,468 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, an IT Purchasing Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $74,432
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,118 to $68,254
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,337
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence IT Purchasing Specialist I Salaries

An IT Purchasing Specialist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do IT Purchasing Specialist I Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 IT Purchasing Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,059.
  • California: $67,801.
  • Massachusetts: $66,897.

Top Paying Cities for IT Purchasing Specialist Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $77,533
  • San Francisco: $76,684
  • Oakland: $75,067

What Skills Can Increase an IT Purchasing Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 3.51% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Vendor Management (Mentioned in 1.65% Job Postings): Controlling costs, driving service excellence, and mitigating risks to gain increased value from their vendors.
  • Continuous Improvement (Mentioned in 1.24% Job Postings): A continual improvement process, also often called a continuous improvement process (abbreviated as CIP or CI), is an ongoing effort to improve products, services, or processes. These efforts can seek "incremental" improvement over time or "breakthrough" improvement all at once. Delivery (customer valued) processes are constantly evaluated and improved in the light of their efficiency, effectiveness and flexibility. Some see CIPs as a meta-process for most management systems (such as business process management, quality management, project management, and program management). W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer of the field, saw it as part of the 'system' whereby feedback from the process and customer were evaluated against organisational goals. The fact that it can be called a management process does not mean that it needs to be executed by 'management'; but rather merely that it makes decisions about the implementation of the delivery process and the design of the delivery process itself.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 3.51%
Vendor Management 1.65%
Continuous Improvement 1.24%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an IT Purchasing Specialist I's salary.

  • Confidentiality: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Project Management: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Confidentiality $66,385
8%
Consulting $66,385
8%
Project Management $65,156
6%
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IT Purchasing Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

IT Purchasing Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,693. While startup companies pay approximate $58,107.

IT Purchasing Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,107
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,454
Established 501~5000 $66,332
Enterprise 5000+ $68,693

IT Purchasing Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For IT Purchasing Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, IT Purchasing Specialist positions in Transportation or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view IT Purchasing Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an IT Purchasing Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$76,835$37.025%
Biotechnology$73,762$35.020%
Software & Networking$73,762$35.020%
Energy & Utilities$70,688$34.015%
Chemicals$67,615$33.010%

IT Purchasing Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an IT Purchasing Specialist I'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 September 01, 2026
$55,118
Average $61,468/year
$68,254
$4,593
Average $5,122/month
$5,688
$1,060
Average $1,182/week
$1,313
$26
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $68,254 $5,688 $1,313 $33
Average $61,468 $5,122 $1,182 $30
25th Percentile $55,118 $4,593 $1,060 $26

IT Purchasing Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

IT Purchasing Specialist I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an IT Purchasing Specialist I, 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
Gas Purchasing & Contracts Manager $168,800 175%
IT Acquisitions Administrator II $75,400 23%
Production Expeditor $75,600 23%

Most common benefits for IT Purchasing Specialist I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for IT Purchasing Specialist I

Here are companies hiring for IT Purchasing Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about IT Purchasing Specialist I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for IT Purchasing Specialist I?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for IT Purchasing Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. Is purchasing job stressful?

Purchasing jobs, including that of an IT Purchasing Specialist, can be stressful. With responsibilities to reduce costs and find efficiencies, the pressure to deliver savings can lead to long hours. The salary range for this role is between $59,274 and $77,481, which reflects the high expectations and demands placed on professionals in this field.

3. What is the highest salary in purchase department?

The highest salary in the purchasing department for an IT Purchasing Specialist is $77,481. The average salary is $66,276, with a minimum salary of $59,274. These figures reflect the typical salary range for this role, indicating a competitive compensation structure within the industry.

4. What is the highest paid IT job?

The highest-paid IT jobs often include roles like Principal Software Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Machine Learning Engineer, with salaries significantly above the average. For instance, an IT Purchasing Specialist can expect a salary range from $59,274 to $77,481, depending on experience and expertise, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in the tech industry.

5. Is IT specialist a stressful job?

Working as an IT Purchasing Specialist can be stressful due to the need to manage tight deadlines and negotiate contracts. The role involves balancing budget constraints with the need for quality technology solutions. Salaries range from $59,274 to $77,481, reflecting the importance and challenges of the position in ensuring efficient IT procurement.

6. What is the highest paid procurement job?

High-paying procurement jobs include roles like Director of Supply Chain, with salaries ranging from $182,000 to $206,000, and Vice President of Procurement, earning between $130,000 and $194,000. For IT Purchasing Specialists, the salary ranges from $59,274 to $77,481, with a mid-salary of $66,276, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field.

7. What is the highest salary of a purchase manager?

The highest salary for a Purchasing Manager can reach up to ₹77,481 annually. In India, cities like Bengaluru and Chennai offer competitive salaries, with Bengaluru averaging ₹50,197 per month. The salary range for IT Purchasing Specialists typically falls between ₹59,274 and ₹77,481, with a mid-point of ₹66,276.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

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