As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Purchasing Clerk I in the United States is $23, which translates to an annual salary of about $47,253.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A Purchasing Clerk I'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 a Purchasing Clerk I'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 |
|---|---|---|
| Purchasing Clerk I | 0-1 years | $47,253 |
| Purchasing Clerk II | 1-3 years | $52,962 |
| Purchasing Clerk III | 3-5 years | $60,796 |
| Purchasing Clerk IV | 5-7 years | $68,129 |
| Purchasing Supervisor | 7+ years | $86,908 |
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 Purchasing Clerk Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Customer Service | 3.39% |
| Logistics | 1.42% |
| PowerPoint | 0.84% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Teamwork
|
$56,231 |
19%
|
|
Presentation
|
$55,286 |
17%
|
|
Process Improvement
|
$55,286 |
17%
|
|
RFP
|
$54,813 |
16%
|
|
Cost Reduction
|
$54,341 |
15%
|
|
Supply Chain Management
|
$53,868 |
14%
|
Purchasing Clerk I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $52,852. While startup companies pay approximate $44,697.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $44,697 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $47,274 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $51,039 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $52,852 |
For Purchasing Clerk I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Purchasing Clerk positions in Retail & Wholesale or Energy & Utilities typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Purchasing Clerk I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $59,066 | $28.0 | 25% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $56,704 | $27.0 | 20% |
| Financial Services | $54,341 | $26.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $51,978 | $25.0 | 10% |
| MFG Durable | $51,978 | $25.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Purchasing Clerk Is enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Purchasing Clerk I with a No Diploma is between $45,917 and $49,288).
Purchasing Clerk I Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.1% |
| High School | 35.6% |
| Associates | 18.9% |
| Bachelors | 39.2% |
| Masters | 5.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.3% |
Understanding how a Purchasing Clerk 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 July 01, 2026Salaries for a Purchasing Clerk I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $44,569 in 2023 to around $44,584 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Purchasing Clerk I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $44,569 |
| 2024 | $45,004 |
| 2025 | $44,584 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Purchasing Clerk I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
Initiates, prepares, processes, and verifies purchase orders following established guidelines to purchase materials and goods by required delivery dates. Inputs transactions and administers a purchasing and contracts system or database. Interacts with suppliers to obtain favorable pricing terms, product specifications, monitor availability, and optimize savings. Expedites delayed orders and resolves issues with changes, returns, replacements, and credit arrangements. Coordinates with internal teams to ensure that procurement needs are met promptly and efficiently. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor or team leader. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Customer Service: Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
Logistics: In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations.
PowerPoint: A computer software created by Microsoft which allows the user to create slides with recordings, narrations, transitions and other features in order to present information.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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