Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Natural Sciences Managers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $85,530 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 113.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$46,460$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $79,830 | $-33,370 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $114,110 | $-55,440 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $161,180 | $-85,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $214,820 | $-115,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $173,500 | $-91,780 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
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 Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $85,530 (113.1% 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 Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers 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 Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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