SOC 1134 Corporate managers and directors

Purchasing managers and directors Salary

Median salary £56,779 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £57,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For purchasing managers and directors, £58,005 is the typical (median) pay. That is well above the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +49% versus the national average. Experienced purchasing managers and directors (top 25%) earn over £81,417.

About this role

Purchasing managers and directors lead procurement and supply chain strategy, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts and ensuring organisations achieve value for money while maintaining quality and supply continuity.

Key responsibilities

Developing and implementing procurement strategy
Negotiating contracts and managing supplier relationships
Ensuring compliance with procurement regulations and policies
Managing purchasing teams and budgets
Analysing spend data and identifying cost reduction opportunities

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in business, supply chain management or a related field. CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) qualification is the professional standard.

Career outlook

Growing demand driven by supply chain disruption risks, sustainability requirements and the need for strategic procurement capabilities.

Key skills

Negotiation Contract management Supplier relationship management Data analysis Strategic sourcing

Common industries

Manufacturing
Public sector
Retail
Construction
Healthcare

Data coverage

SOC code 1134

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 58,000

Median Salary

£56,779

Mean Salary

£62,148

Jobs (000s)

58k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £41,543Median: £56,779P75: £81,417

P10: £30kP25: £42kMedian: £57kP75: £81kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£29,877

0-2 years

Mid Level

£41,543

3-7 years

Senior

£81,417

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +173% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +21.9%Real growth: -11.6%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 14.8%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£56,779

Full-time Only

£58,005

Full-time premium: +£1,226

Purchasing managers and directors salary: common questions

How much do purchasing managers and directors earn in the UK?

Purchasing managers and directors earn a median of £58,005 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £41,543 and £81,417.

Is £58,005 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for purchasing managers and directors?

Entry-level purchasing managers and directors typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £41,543, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £29,877.

Have purchasing managers and directors salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median purchasing managers and directors pay has risen from £46,956 to £58,005 — +24% in cash terms, or -10% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for purchasing managers and directors?

Male purchasing managers and directors earn a median £61,449 and female purchasing managers and directors £52,354 — a gap of +15% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).