Accountants and Auditors vs Buyers and Purchasing Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $6,030 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 8.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $127,520 for Buyers and Purchasing Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Accountants and Auditors$52,780 – $141,420
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
$46,460$141,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $46,460 | +$6,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $58,670 | +$5,990 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $75,650 | +$6,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $99,190 | +$7,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $127,520 | +$13,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $81,720 | +$11,800 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
Best Cities for Buyers and Purchasing Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $103,560 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $102,140 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $93,320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $85,980 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $84,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $6,030 (8.0% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
Accountants and Auditors salaries range from $52,780 (10th percentile) to $141,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $81,680.
What is the salary range for Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents salaries range from $46,460 (10th percentile) to $127,520 (90th percentile), with a median of $75,650.
How many Accountants and Auditors and Buyers and Purchasing Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,448,290 Accountants and Auditors positions and 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Buyers and Purchasing Agents to Accountants and Auditors?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Accountants and Auditors has a median salary of $81,680 while Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $75,650. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS