Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Training and Development Specialists: 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 $9,800 more per year than Training and Development Specialists professionals — that's 14.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $120,190 for Training and Development Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Training and Development Specialists$37,510 – $120,190
$37,510$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Training and Development Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $37,510 | +$8,950 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $48,900 | +$9,770 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $65,850 | +$9,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $91,550 | +$7,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $120,190 | +$7,330 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $73,760 | +$7,960 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Training and Development Specialists
436,610
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 Training and Development Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,710 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $92,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,330 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Training and Development Specialists?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $9,800 (14.9% 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 Training and Development Specialists?
Training and Development Specialists salaries range from $37,510 (10th percentile) to $120,190 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,850.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Training and Development Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 436,610 Training and Development Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Training and Development Specialists 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 Training and Development Specialists earns $65,850. 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