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Purchasing Clerk I Salary in the United States

How much does a Purchasing Clerk I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Purchasing Clerk I in the United States is $47,260 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $55,024
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $42,659 to $51,324
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,470
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Purchasing Clerk I Salaries

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.

How Experience Level Affects Purchasing Clerk I Salaries?

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:

  • Purchasing Clerk I (0-1 years): $47,260
  • Purchasing Clerk II (1-3 years): $52,977
  • Purchasing Clerk III (3-5 years): $60,817
  • Purchasing Clerk IV (5-7 years): $68,154
  • Purchasing Supervisor (7+ years): $86,932
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Purchasing Clerk I0-1 years$47,260
Purchasing Clerk II1-3 years$52,977
Purchasing Clerk III3-5 years$60,817
Purchasing Clerk IV5-7 years$68,154
Purchasing Supervisor7+ years$86,932
View as Graph

How Do Purchasing Clerk 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 Purchasing Clerk Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $52,326.
  • California: $52,128.
  • Massachusetts: $51,433.

Top Paying Cities for Purchasing Clerk 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: $59,609
  • San Francisco: $58,956
  • Oakland: $57,714

What Skills Can Increase a Purchasing Clerk I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 3.39% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 1.42% Job Postings): 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 (Mentioned in 0.84% Job Postings): 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 3.39%
Logistics 1.42%
PowerPoint 0.84%
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 a Purchasing Clerk I's salary.

  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
  • Process Improvement: Can increase your salary by up to 17%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Teamwork $56,239
19%
Presentation $55,294
17%
Process Improvement $55,294
17%
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Purchasing Clerk I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

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 $52,815. While startup companies pay approximate $44,676.

Purchasing Clerk I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $44,676
Growth Stage 51~500 $47,249
Established 501~5000 $51,000
Enterprise 5000+ $52,815

Purchasing Clerk I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

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.

The top paying industries for a Purchasing Clerk I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$59,075$28.025%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$56,712$27.020%
Financial Services$54,349$26.015%
Aerospace & Defense$51,986$25.010%
MFG Durable$51,986$25.010%

How Education impacts a Purchasing Clerk I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Purchasing Clerk I enter the field with a Bachelor's 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 Purchasing Clerk I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $47,127 and $50,457.

Purchasing Clerk I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Purchasing Clerk I
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%
View as Graph

Purchasing Clerk I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

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 September 01, 2026
$42,659
Average $47,260/year
$51,324
$3,555
Average $3,938/month
$4,277
$820
Average $909/week
$987
$21
Average $23/hour
$25
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $51,324 $4,277 $987 $25
Average $47,260 $3,938 $909 $23
25th Percentile $42,659 $3,555 $820 $21

Purchasing Clerk I Salary Growth & Career Path

Purchasing Clerk I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Purchasing Clerk 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 Supply Manager $168,713 257%
IT Procurement Manager $139,400 195%
Purchasing Clerk II $52,977 12%

Most common benefits for Purchasing Clerk I

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

Common company salaries for Purchasing Clerk I

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

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FAQ about Purchasing Clerk I

1. Where can a Purchasing Clerk I earn the most?

A Purchasing Clerk I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Purchasing Clerk I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Purchasing Clerk I is $59,609.

2. What is the highest pay for Purchasing Clerk I?

The highest pay for Purchasing Clerk I is $55,024.

3. What is the lowest pay for Purchasing Clerk I?

The lowest pay for Purchasing Clerk I is $38,470.

4. What are the responsibilities of Purchasing Clerk I?

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.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Purchasing Clerk I?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Purchasing Clerk I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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