Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Computer Network Architects: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Computer Network Architects professionals earn $54,740 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 72.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $198,030 for Computer Network Architects.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Computer Network Architects$79,520 – $198,030
$46,460$198,030
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Computer Network Architects | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $79,520 | $-33,060 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $102,120 | $-43,450 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $130,390 | $-54,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $164,440 | $-65,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $198,030 | $-70,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $135,890 | $-54,170 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Computer Network Architects
177,010
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 Network Architects
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $174,120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $166,880 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $163,570 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $155,480 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $153,820 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Computer Network Architects?
Computer Network Architects professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $54,740 (72.4% 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 Network Architects?
Computer Network Architects salaries range from $79,520 (10th percentile) to $198,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $130,390.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Computer Network Architects jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 177,010 Computer Network Architects positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Computer Network Architects 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 Network Architects earns $130,390. 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