Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes vs Buyers and Purchasing Agents: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
$96,310
Median annual salary
14,220 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes professionals earn $20,660 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 27.3% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes$48,530 – N/A
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
$46,460$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $48,530 | $46,460 | +$2,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $63,100 | $58,670 | +$4,430 |
| Median (50th) | $96,310 | $75,650 | +$20,660 |
| 75th Percentile | $168,850 | $99,190 | +$69,660 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $127,520 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $165,600 | $81,720 | +$83,880 |
Employment Numbers
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
14,220
employed nationwide
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $126,560 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $107,370 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, GA | $102,530 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,970 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $93,400 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes or Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,660 (27.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes?
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes salaries range from $48,530 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $96,310.
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.
How many Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes and Buyers and Purchasing Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 14,220 Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes positions and 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Buyers and Purchasing Agents to Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes has a median salary of $96,310 while Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $75,650. 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