Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: 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 $12,680 more per year than Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals — that's 20.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$40,670 – $105,150
$40,670$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $40,670 | +$5,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $48,860 | +$9,810 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $62,970 | +$12,680 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $81,900 | +$17,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $105,150 | +$22,370 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $69,940 | +$11,780 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $12,680 (20.1% 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salaries range from $40,670 (10th percentile) to $105,150 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,970.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 455,940 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters earns $62,970. 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