Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Industrial Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $25,490 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 33.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $157,140 for Industrial Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
$46,460$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Industrial Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $70,000 | $-23,540 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $81,910 | $-23,240 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $101,140 | $-25,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $127,480 | $-28,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $157,140 | $-29,620 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $107,900 | $-26,180 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Industrial Engineers
350,230
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 Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,490 (33.7% 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 Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Industrial Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 350,230 Industrial Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Industrial Engineers 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 Industrial Engineers earns $101,140. 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