Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Tax Preparers: 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 $25,090 more per year than Tax Preparers professionals — that's 49.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $96,240 for Tax Preparers.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Tax Preparers$30,500 – $96,240
$30,500$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Tax Preparers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $30,500 | +$15,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $37,750 | +$20,920 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $50,560 | +$25,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $75,590 | +$23,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $96,240 | +$31,280 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $58,860 | +$22,860 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Tax Preparers
73,570
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 Tax Preparers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $83,600 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,240 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $74,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $71,990 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $68,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Tax Preparers?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,090 (49.6% 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 Tax Preparers?
Tax Preparers salaries range from $30,500 (10th percentile) to $96,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $50,560.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Tax Preparers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 73,570 Tax Preparers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Tax Preparers 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 Tax Preparers earns $50,560. 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