Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Data Scientists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Data Scientists professionals earn $36,940 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 48.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $194,410 for Data Scientists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
$46,460$194,410
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Data Scientists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $63,650 | $-17,190 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $82,630 | $-23,960 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $112,590 | $-36,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $155,810 | $-56,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $194,410 | $-66,890 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $124,590 | $-42,870 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Data Scientists
233,440
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 Data Scientists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $173,160 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $166,300 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $157,290 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $135,190 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $131,830 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Data Scientists?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $36,940 (48.8% 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 Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Data Scientists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 233,440 Data Scientists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Data 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 Data Scientists earns $112,590. 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