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Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Salary in the United States

How much does an Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent in the United States is $71,883 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, an Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $90,502
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,933 to $81,629
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,785
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Salaries

An Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent'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 Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $54,300
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $62,333
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,852
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $89,102
  • Expert (over 8 years): $101,879
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Purchasing Clerk II less than 1 year $54,300
Purchasing Clerk III 1-2 years $62,333
Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent 2-4 years $69,852
Purchasing Supervisor 5-8 years $89,102
Purchasing Senior Supervisor over 8 years $101,879

How Do Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent 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 Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agents. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $79,589.
  • California: $79,287.
  • Massachusetts: $78,230.

Top Paying Cities for Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent

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: $90,666
  • San Francisco: $89,673
  • Oakland: $87,783

Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 53% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $93,448 $45.0 30%
Financial Services $86,259 $41.0 20%
Biotechnology $82,665 $40.0 15%
Energy & Utilities $82,665 $40.0 15%
Software & Networking $81,228 $39.0 13%

How Education impacts an Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent professionals 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 Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent with a Bachelor's is between $65,181 and $69,764.

Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 1%
High School 32.4%
Associate's Degree 15.6%
Bachelor's Degree 42%
Master's Degree or MBA 8.8%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.2%
View as Graph

Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent'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.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$62,933
Average $71,883/year
$81,629
$5,244
Average $5,990/month
$6,802
$1,210
Average $1,382/week
$1,570
$30
Average $35/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,629 $6,802 $1,570 $39
Average $71,883 $5,990 $1,382 $35
25th Percentile $62,933 $5,244 $1,210 $30

Most common benefits for Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent

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

Common company salaries for Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent

Here are companies hiring for Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Administrative Assistant/Purchasing Agent roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.)

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