Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Computer and Information Research Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn $65,260 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 86.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $232,120 for Computer and Information Research Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Computer and Information Research Scientists$80,670 – $232,120
$46,460$232,120
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Computer and Information Research Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $80,670 | $-34,210 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $102,710 | $-44,040 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $140,910 | $-65,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $181,210 | $-82,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $232,120 | $-104,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $152,310 | $-70,590 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Computer and Information Research Scientists
38,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Computer and Information Research Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $232,120 |
| Richmond, VA | $231,930 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $191,880 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $169,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $168,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $65,260 (86.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Computer and Information Research Scientists?
Computer and Information Research Scientists salaries range from $80,670 (10th percentile) to $232,120 (90th percentile), with a median of $140,910.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Computer and Information Research Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 38,480 Computer and Information Research Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer and Information Research Scientists to Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Buyers and Purchasing Agents has a median salary of $75,650 while Computer and Information Research Scientists earns $140,910. 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