Buyers and Purchasing Agents salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Buyers and Purchasing Agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $73,710 a year ($35.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,090 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $77,710. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $70,360. There are 2.5 buyers and purchasing agents per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $78,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for buyers and purchasing agents in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,500 | $23.32 |
| 25th percentile | $60,560 | $29.11 |
| Median | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| 75th percentile | $89,150 | $42.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,090 | $54.37 |
| Average (mean) | $78,100 | $37.55 |
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 | $6,142.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,071.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,835 |
| Weekly | $1,417.50 |
| Hourly | $35.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,710 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 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $73,330 | 190 |
| Ames, IA | $68,880 | 180 |
| 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $86,540 | $41.61 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Project Management Specialist | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Human Resources Specialist | $71,600 | $34.42 |
| Management Analyst | $90,730 | $43.62 |
| Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $73,710 | $35.44 |
| Training and Development Specialists | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| Compliance Officer | $84,590 | $40.67 |
| Cost Estimator | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| Logistician | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $77,990 | $37.50 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | $60,410 | $29.04 |
| Fundraiser | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Labor Relations Specialist | $81,960 | $39.40 |
More: Business and Financial Operations Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, 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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for buyers and purchasing agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $73,710 a year, or $35.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid buyers and purchasing agents make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of buyers and purchasing agents in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $113,090 a year. The top 25% earn $89,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for buyers and purchasing agents in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,500 a year, and a quarter of buyers and purchasing agents earn $60,560 or less.
How many buyers and purchasing agents work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 1,010 buyers and purchasing agents are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.