Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Median annual salary
396,870 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn $15,840 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 26.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $39,130 | +$7,330 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $47,850 | +$10,820 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $59,810 | +$15,840 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $74,820 | +$24,370 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $91,020 | +$36,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $62,690 | +$19,030 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
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 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,980 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $77,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $76,760 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $76,090 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $75,500 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers to Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS