Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Human Resources Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn $2,740 more per year than Human Resources Specialists professionals — that's 3.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $126,540 for Human Resources Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Human Resources Specialists$45,440 – $126,540
$45,440$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Human Resources Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $45,440 | +$1,020 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $55,870 | +$2,800 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $72,910 | +$2,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $97,270 | +$1,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $126,540 | +$980 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $79,730 | +$1,990 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Human Resources Specialists
917,460
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 Human Resources Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $114,080 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $100,600 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $97,340 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $88,050 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $83,930 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Human Resources Specialists?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,740 (3.8% 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 Human Resources Specialists?
Human Resources Specialists salaries range from $45,440 (10th percentile) to $126,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $72,910.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Human Resources Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 917,460 Human Resources Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Human Resources Specialists 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 Human Resources Specialists earns $72,910. 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