SOC 13-1020 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Buyers and Purchasing Agents — North Arkansas
North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Buyers and Purchasing Agents in North Arkansas, AR is $55,520 per year, substantially below the national median of $77,710 — a gap of 28.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Buyers and Purchasing Agents in North Arkansas, AR is $55,520 per year, substantially below the national median of $77,710 — a gap of 28.6%. Pay ranges from under $35,760 at the tenth percentile to more than $87,160 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,440 to $72,990.
Employment stands at 170, or 1.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Little Rock leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $62,850. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 87th of 336 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,760 | −54.0% |
| 25th | $44,440 | −42.8% |
| Median (50th) | $55,520 | −28.6% |
| 75th | $72,990 | −6.1% |
| 90th | $87,160 | +12.2% |
| Mean | $60,040 | −22.7% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $62,850 | 860 | |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $59,160 | 150 | |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $57,380 | 230 | |
| 4 | Hot Springs | $51,750 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $55,520 goes as far as $63,890 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$55,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,890US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $55,520 a year, 28.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,760 to $87,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Little Rock, at $62,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Buyers and Purchasing Agents in North Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $55,520, or $26.69 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $77,710, so pay in North Arkansas, AR is 28.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Arkansas, AR earns more than $87,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,760 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Little Rock, at $62,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in North Arkansas, AR. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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