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Associate Buyer/Planner Salary in the United States

How much does an Associate Buyer/Planner make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Buyer/Planner in the United States is $72,866 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $35.

However, an Associate Buyer/Planner's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,343
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,073 to $81,491
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,978
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Buyer/Planner Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Associate Buyer/Planner Salaries

An Associate Buyer/Planner'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 Associate Buyer/Planner Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Buyer/Planner'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): $71,069
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,652
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $100,003
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $131,876
  • Expert (over 8 years): $161,021
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Associate Buyer/Planner less than 1 year $71,069
Research and Development Associate II 1-2 years $82,652
Research and Development Associate III 2-4 years $100,003
Research and Development Associate IV 5-8 years $131,876
Research and Development Associate V over 8 years $161,021

How Do Associate Buyer/Planner 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 Associate Buyer/Planners. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $80,677.
  • California: $80,371.
  • Massachusetts: $79,300.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Buyer/Planner

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: $91,906
  • San Francisco: $90,899
  • Oakland: $88,984

Associate Buyer/Planner Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Buyer/Planner roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Associate Buyer/Planner positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Buyer/Planner as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Buyer/Planner

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $98,369 $47.0 35%
Pharmaceuticals $94,725 $46.0 30%
Biotechnology $91,082 $44.0 25%
Financial Services $91,082 $44.0 25%
Internet $87,439 $42.0 20%

How Education impacts an Associate Buyer/Planner's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Associate Buyer/Planner 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 Associate Buyer/Planner with a Bachelor's is between $69,477 and $74,521.

Associate Buyer/Planner Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Associate Buyer/Planner
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.5%
High School 2%
Associate's Degree 3.2%
Bachelor's Degree 56.5%
Master's Degree or MBA 28.2%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 9.5%
View as Graph

Associate Buyer/Planner Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Buyer/Planner'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 September 01, 2026
$65,073
Average $72,866/year
$81,491
$5,423
Average $6,072/month
$6,791
$1,251
Average $1,401/week
$1,567
$31
Average $35/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $81,491 $6,791 $1,567 $39
Average $72,866 $6,072 $1,401 $35
25th Percentile $65,073 $5,423 $1,251 $31

Most common benefits for Associate Buyer/Planner

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

Common company salaries for Associate Buyer/Planner

Here are companies hiring for Associate Buyer/Planner and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Associate Buyer/Planner Job

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

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Technician

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Mechanical Field Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    Field Service Engineer

    Hanley Energy | Ashburn, VA

    This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus. Bonus amount and payment terms will be discussed during the recruitment process and are subject to applicabl... more

    3 Days Ago

  • CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    SVP Revenue Growth

    CyLogic | Ashburn, VA

    A Leadership Opportunity to Shape the Next Phase of Growth. CyLogic is seeking an experienced revenue leader to oversee Sales and Marketing, strengthen go-... more

    4 Days Ago

  • ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    Staff Accountant

    ProspectBlue | Ashburn, VA

    ProspectBlue is partnering with a well-established and growing organization in Ashburn, VA to identify a Staff Accountant to join its corporate accounting ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    Senior Account

    Morcom International, Inc. | Ashburn, VA

    About the Opportunity. ACG Systems is a mission-critical communications platform. Through Morcom, an ACG Systems company, we design, deploy, and support wi... more

    4 Days Ago

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FAQ about Associate Buyer/Planner

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Associate Buyer/Planner?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Associate Buyer/Planner roles, with salaries approximately 35% 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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