How to Become a Procurement and Purchasing Specialist in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania employs about 17,430 procurement and purchasing specialists earning a median $73,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Procurement and Purchasing Specialist here means completing a short purchasing or supply-chain course plus workplace experience; most states do not license this role.
Compare Procurement and Purchasing Specialist Schools in Pennsylvania
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Frederick Community College | 71.1 | $3,849 in-state / $10,042 out-of-state | $54,058 | 37% | Yes* | 68 mi |
| 2 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology | 67.0 | $9,050 | $57,788 | 71% | — | 42 mi |
| 3 | Cecil College | 45.1 | $5,640 in-state / $10,830 out-of-state | $50,453 | 37% | Yes* | 73 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Pennsylvania employs approximately 17,430 procurement and purchasing specialists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $73,550 1. Nationally, procurement and purchasing specialist employment is projected to grow 5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Procurement and Purchasing Specialist in Pennsylvania, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: short purchasing, procurement, or supply-chain course (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a short purchasing or supply-chain course plus workplace experience; most states do not license this role
- Median wage (Pennsylvania): $73,550 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Procurement and Purchasing Specialist in Pennsylvania
How to become a Procurement and Purchasing Specialist in Pennsylvania? Complete a short purchasing or supply-chain course plus workplace experience; most states do not license this role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a short purchasing or supply-chain course plus workplace experience; most states do not license this role. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Pennsylvania? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the Pennsylvania path.
What do procurement and purchasing specialists earn in Pennsylvania? The median annual wage for procurement and purchasing specialists in Pennsylvania is $73,550 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $44,470 and experienced professionals can earn $121,520 or more 1.
How to Become a Procurement and Purchasing Specialist in Pennsylvania
- Complete a short purchasing course or train on the job. Finish a procurement or supply-chain certificate, or learn inside a purchasing department. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Optional purchasing certificates. Industry purchasing certificates can help hiring. They are not a state occupational license.
- Most states do not license this role. Do not apply to a licensing board. Contractor licenses are a different credential.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Procurement and Purchasing Specialist License Requirements in Pennsylvania
Most states do not license procurement or purchasing managers. The path is a short course or on-the-job training, not a licensing board.
Typical path
Complete a short course or OJT.
Optional purchasing certificates.
Do not apply to a licensing board for this role.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Procurement and Purchasing Specialist Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Purchasing Managers Wages by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), purchasing managers wages in Pennsylvania vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 10,640 | $91,698 | $98,646 | $58,435 | $145,037 |
| Pittsburgh | 3,520 | $79,447 | $83,955 | $48,574 | $123,904 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | 1,330 | $82,101 | $83,964 | $48,791 | $122,242 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,090 | $86,128 | $90,517 | $52,502 | $139,094 |
| Lancaster | 820 | $73,760 | $78,043 | $47,797 | $113,129 |
| York-Hanover | 770 | $80,704 | $87,611 | $49,676 | $138,221 |
| Reading | 580 | $79,236 | $81,397 | $51,310 | $116,287 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 570 | $70,074 | $76,183 | $47,217 | $110,237 |
| Erie | 340 | $70,586 | $77,491 | $45,168 | $121,715 |
| Chambersburg | 250 | $87,352 | $93,117 | $49,844 | $136,211 |
| Altoona | 170 | $60,740 | $66,470 | $40,260 | $94,060 |
| Lebanon | 150 | $64,500 | $71,730 | $45,600 | $111,090 |
| Williamsport | 140 | $61,400 | $64,360 | $42,550 | $93,590 |
| Johnstown | 110 | $70,010 | $71,530 | $43,620 | $107,330 |
| State College | 110 | $62,390 | $66,440 | $41,550 | $90,930 |
| Gettysburg | 70 | $63,780 | $68,690 | $41,100 | $108,930 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for procurement and purchasing specialists in Pennsylvania? Pennsylvania currently employs approximately 17,430 procurement and purchasing specialists 1. Nationally, procurement and purchasing specialist employment is projected to grow 5.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Pennsylvania? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Pennsylvania.
How much do procurement and purchasing specialists earn in Pennsylvania compared to the national average? The median annual wage for procurement and purchasing specialists in Pennsylvania is $73,550, which is $2,100 below the national median of $75,650 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |