Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Construction Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Construction Managers professionals earn $31,330 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 41.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $176,990 for Construction Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
$46,460$176,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Construction Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $65,160 | $-18,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $83,480 | $-24,810 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $106,980 | $-31,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $139,330 | $-40,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $176,990 | $-49,470 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $119,660 | $-37,940 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Construction Managers
348,330
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 Construction Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $151,980 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $138,000 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $136,970 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,730 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $128,190 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Construction Managers?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $31,330 (41.4% 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 Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Construction Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 348,330 Construction Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Construction Managers 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 Construction Managers earns $106,980. 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