Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Education Administrators, Postsecondary: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn $28,310 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 37.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $212,420 for Education Administrators, Postsecondary.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Education Administrators, Postsecondary$63,820 – $212,420
$46,460$212,420
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $63,820 | $-17,360 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $79,880 | $-21,210 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $103,960 | $-28,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $140,940 | $-41,750 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $212,420 | $-84,900 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $124,450 | $-42,730 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Education Administrators, Postsecondary
176,420
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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $137,490 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $136,880 |
| Rochester, NY | $132,150 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $131,910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $129,330 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $28,310 (37.4% 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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary?
Education Administrators, Postsecondary salaries range from $63,820 (10th percentile) to $212,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $103,960.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Education Administrators, Postsecondary jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 176,420 Education Administrators, Postsecondary positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Education Administrators, Postsecondary 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 Education Administrators, Postsecondary earns $103,960. 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