Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Engineers, All Other: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $42,100 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 55.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $183,510 for Engineers, All Other.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Engineers, All Other$62,840 – $183,510
$46,460$183,510
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Engineers, All Other | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $62,840 | $-16,380 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $85,750 | $-27,080 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $117,750 | $-42,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $152,670 | $-53,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $183,510 | $-55,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $121,720 | $-40,000 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Engineers, All Other
150,750
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 Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,100 (55.7% 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 Engineers, All Other?
Engineers, All Other salaries range from $62,840 (10th percentile) to $183,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $117,750.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Engineers, All Other jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 150,750 Engineers, All Other positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Engineers, All Other 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 Engineers, All Other earns $117,750. 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