Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 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 $14,640 more per year than Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals — that's 24.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Paralegals and Legal Assistants$39,710 – $98,990
$39,710$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $39,710 | +$6,750 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $48,190 | +$10,480 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $61,010 | +$14,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $78,280 | +$20,910 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $98,990 | +$28,530 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $66,510 | +$15,210 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $80,550 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,640 (24.0% 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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants salaries range from $39,710 (10th percentile) to $98,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,010.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 367,220 Paralegals and Legal Assistants positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Paralegals and Legal Assistants 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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants earns $61,010. 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