Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Mechanical Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $26,670 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 35.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$46,460$161,240
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Mechanical Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $68,740 | $-22,280 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $81,800 | $-23,130 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $102,320 | $-26,670 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $130,290 | $-31,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $161,240 | $-33,720 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $110,080 | $-28,360 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Mechanical Engineers
286,760
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 Mechanical Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $147,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $145,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,660 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $126,870 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $124,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,670 (35.3% 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 Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical 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 Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. 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