Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary in Ames, IA
Buyers and Purchasing Agents in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $68,880 a year ($33.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,230 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $77,710. Pay here is 2% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $70,360. There are 3.3 buyers and purchasing agents per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for buyers and purchasing agents in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,640 | $23.38 |
| 25th percentile | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Median | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| 75th percentile | $82,890 | $39.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,230 | $51.07 |
| Average (mean) | $75,280 | $36.19 |
Half of buyers and purchasing agents earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,740 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,870 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,649.23 |
| Weekly | $1,324.62 |
| Hourly | $33.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $68,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $84,730 | 1,320 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $76,100 | 1,220 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $74,230 | 200 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $73,710 | 1,010 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $73,330 | 190 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $68,630 | 430 |
| Iowa City, IA | $66,660 | 240 |
| Dubuque, IA | $66,050 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for buyers and purchasing agents
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $124,090 |
| New Jersey | $93,250 |
| Maryland | $90,900 |
| Virginia | $89,210 |
| Rhode Island | $86,240 |
| Massachusetts | $85,970 |
| Washington | $85,130 |
| Colorado | $83,590 |
| Alaska | $83,460 |
| Connecticut | $83,030 |
See Buyers and Purchasing Agents pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $76,510 | $36.78 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,100 | $29.37 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $70,060 | $33.68 |
| Project Management Specialist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $67,860 | $32.62 |
| Compliance Officer | $80,370 | $38.64 |
| Management Analyst | $88,510 | $42.56 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Fundraiser | $80,430 | $38.67 |
| Logistician | $75,620 | $36.36 |
| Cost Estimator | $76,920 | $36.98 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,320 | $38.14 |
| Budget Analyst | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Loan Officer | $84,470 | $40.61 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 13-1020. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a buyers and purchasing agents make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for buyers and purchasing agents in the Ames, IA metro area is $68,880 a year, or $33.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid buyers and purchasing agents make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of buyers and purchasing agents in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $106,230 a year. The top 25% earn $82,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for buyers and purchasing agents in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,640 a year, and a quarter of buyers and purchasing agents earn $57,600 or less.
How many buyers and purchasing agents work in Ames, IA?
About 180 buyers and purchasing agents are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.