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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Purchasing Managers salary in San Jose, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the San Jose metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$194,510
Mean annual$218,630
Range (10th to 90th)Not published
San Jose, California employment650
State vs national+37.1% vs national

Salary distribution

Where San Jose purchasing managers fall on the wage curve.

Distribution not available

The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    5 years or more

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Administration and Management

    Knowledge

    4.3 / 5
  • Oral Expression

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Speaking

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    4.0 / 5
  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge

    4.0 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    Technical

    4.0 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    3.9 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.

  2. 02

    Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.

  3. 03

    Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.

  4. 04

    Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.

  5. 05

    Review purchase order claims and contracts for conformance to company policy.

  6. 06

    Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.

  7. 07

    Administer online purchasing systems.

  8. 08

    Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.

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Other metros in California

How the San Jose metro compares to other major California metro areas for purchasing managers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Purchasing Managers in San Jose, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Purchasing Managers in the San Jose metropolitan area is $194,510.
Does San Jose pay more than the California state average for Purchasing Managers?
The San Jose metro median is +27.8% versus the California state median of $152,190.
How does San Jose compare to the national median for Purchasing Managers?
The San Jose metro median is +37.1% versus the BLS national figure of $141,910.
What education is required for Purchasing Managers?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Jose CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.