Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Registered Nurses: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $17,950 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 23.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $135,320 for Registered Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
$46,460$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Registered Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $66,030 | $-19,570 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $78,610 | $-19,940 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $93,600 | $-17,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $107,960 | $-8,770 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $135,320 | $-7,800 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $98,430 | $-16,710 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
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 Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,950 (23.7% 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 Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Registered Nurses jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 3,282,010 Registered Nurses positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Registered Nurses 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 Registered Nurses earns $93,600. 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