Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Insurance Underwriters: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn $4,230 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 5.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $138,020 for Insurance Underwriters.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Insurance Underwriters$51,640 – $138,020
$46,460$138,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Insurance Underwriters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $51,640 | $-5,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $63,070 | $-4,400 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $79,880 | $-4,230 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $104,820 | $-5,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $138,020 | $-10,500 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $90,830 | $-9,110 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Insurance Underwriters
107,820
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 Insurance Underwriters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $106,380 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $103,270 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,860 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $98,500 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $98,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $4,230 (5.6% 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 Insurance Underwriters?
Insurance Underwriters salaries range from $51,640 (10th percentile) to $138,020 (90th percentile), with a median of $79,880.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Insurance Underwriters jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 107,820 Insurance Underwriters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Underwriters 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 Insurance Underwriters earns $79,880. 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