Architectural and Engineering Managers vs Buyers and Purchasing Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn $92,090 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 121.7% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Architectural and Engineering Managers$111,450 – N/A
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
$46,460$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $111,450 | $46,460 | +$64,990 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,930 | $58,670 | +$76,260 |
| Median (50th) | $167,740 | $75,650 | +$92,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $207,210 | $99,190 | +$108,020 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $127,520 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $175,710 | $81,720 | +$93,990 |
Employment Numbers
Architectural and Engineering Managers
210,340
employed nationwide
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Architectural and Engineering Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $226,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $208,580 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $189,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $185,550 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $183,640 |
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: Architectural and Engineering Managers or Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $92,090 (121.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Architectural and Engineering Managers salaries range from $111,450 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $167,740.
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 Architectural and Engineering Managers and Buyers and Purchasing Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 210,340 Architectural and Engineering Managers 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 Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Architectural and Engineering Managers has a median salary of $167,740 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