Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Civil Engineers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $23,940 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 31.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $160,990 for Civil Engineers.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
$46,460$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Civil Engineers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $65,920 | $-19,460 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $78,790 | $-20,120 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $99,590 | $-23,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $128,290 | $-29,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $160,990 | $-33,470 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $107,050 | $-25,330 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Civil Engineers
355,410
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 Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $23,940 (31.6% 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 Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Civil Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 355,410 Civil Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Civil Engineers 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 Civil Engineers earns $99,590. 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