Sources: North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), North Carolina Class Specifications and Graded Salary Schedules (DT, HP, LG, MH, NC, SW); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
North Carolina state pay plan Sourced
Published rates for each class, lowest first, effective February 1, 2026. These are the ranges North Carolina sets for its own state employees; cities, counties and school districts have their own pay plans.
| Class and grade | Published rate |
|---|---|
| Procurement Specialist I Class 32000293 · class description Grade NC09 | $41,206 – $72,113 a year |
| Procurement Specialist II Class 32000294 · class description Grade NC12 | $47,703 – $83,479 a year |
| Contract Specialist I Class 32000267 · class description Grade NC14 | $52,592 – $92,036 a year |
| Procurement Specialist III Class 32000295 · class description Grade NC16 | $57,983 – $101,470 a year |
| Contract Specialist II Class 32000268 · class description Grade NC17 | $60,881 – $106,544 a year |
Schedule: Salary Schedule NC. Rates are as the plan publishes them; "a year" figures are conversions. Classes are matched to this job by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: North Carolina Office of State Human Resources (OSHR), North Carolina Class Specifications and Graded Salary Schedules (DT, HP, LG, MH, NC, SW). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay in North Carolina, all employers Sourced
Buyers and Purchasing Agents (SOC 13-1020) in North Carolina, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | NC |
|---|---|
| Workers | 14,290 |
| 10th percentile | $48,440 |
| Median | $75,880 |
| 90th percentile | $127,860 |
| National median, government employers | $89,920 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for North Carolina
Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep- Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- CON 3990V Contracting Certification ExamEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting (FAC-C) ProfessionalEntrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Contract / Procurement Specialist page.