Buyer and Purchasing Agent Salary in Washington, DC
Buyers and Purchasing Agents in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $104,880 a year — 35% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $76,667 take-home, or $6,389 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median buyer and purchasing agent salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,244
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,503
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,521
- District of Columbia income tax$5,946
- Take-home pay$76,667
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Buyer and Purchasing Agent pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,760 | $28.73 | $47,759 | $3,980 |
| 25th percentile | $77,690 | $37.35 | $59,850 | $4,987 |
| Median (50th) | $104,880 | $50.42 | $76,667 | $6,389 |
| 75th percentile | $135,510 | $65.15 | $95,337 | $7,945 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,890 | $78.31 | $111,724 | $9,310 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $104,880 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median buyer and purchasing agent's $76,667 take-home pay has the buying power of $70,411 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.4× the national concentration of buyer and purchasing agent jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for buyers and purchasing agents, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 of 41 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dayton, OH | $94,520 | $73,508 | $79,302 |
| 2 | Huntsville, AL | $94,990 | $71,171 | $76,469 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $104,880 | $76,667 | $70,411 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $95,970 | $76,345 | $68,697 |
| 5 | San Antonio, TX | $79,550 | $64,793 | $68,408 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $101,500 | $73,706 | $66,749 |
| 7 | Cincinnati, OH | $77,070 | $61,712 | $64,708 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | $77,150 | $61,766 | $64,697 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 41 metros →
About the job: buyers and purchasing agents
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.0% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a buyer and purchasing agent make in Washington, DC?
The median buyer and purchasing agent salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $104,880 a year, or about $50.42 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $77,690 and $135,510.
What is a buyer and purchasing agent’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $104,880 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $76,667 a year ($6,389 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,946 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a buyer and purchasing agent?
Pay here is 35% above the national median of $77,710. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $70,411 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 41 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a buyer and purchasing agent afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 31% of a median buyer and purchasing agent’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
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- Management Analyst — $126,830
- Budget Analyst — $125,050
- Financial Specialists, All Other — $120,580
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $108,330
- Personal Financial Advisor — $106,230
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $104,770
- Logistician — $104,330
- Accountant and Auditor — $102,140
- Human Resources Specialist — $100,830
- Compliance Officer — $100,200
- Loan Officer — $97,800