Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Financial Analysts: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Analysts professionals earn $25,700 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 34.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $180,550 for Financial Analysts.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Financial Analysts$62,410 – $180,550
$46,460$180,550
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Financial Analysts | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $62,410 | $-15,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $78,300 | $-19,630 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $101,350 | $-25,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $132,050 | $-32,860 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $180,550 | $-53,030 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $116,490 | $-34,770 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Financial Analysts
340,580
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 Financial Analysts
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $134,470 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $128,490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $128,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,410 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $110,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,700 (34.0% 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 Financial Analysts?
Financial Analysts salaries range from $62,410 (10th percentile) to $180,550 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,350.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Financial Analysts jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 340,580 Financial Analysts positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Analysts 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 Financial Analysts earns $101,350. 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