Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Financial Examiners: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Financial Examiners professionals earn $14,750 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 19.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $171,540 for Financial Examiners.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Financial Examiners$53,420 – $171,540
$46,460$171,540
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Financial Examiners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $53,420 | $-6,960 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $66,800 | $-8,130 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $90,400 | $-14,750 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $127,210 | $-28,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $171,540 | $-44,020 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $103,650 | $-21,930 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Financial Examiners
62,830
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 Financial Examiners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $139,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,190 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $131,670 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $111,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,450 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $14,750 (19.5% 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 Financial Examiners?
Financial Examiners salaries range from $53,420 (10th percentile) to $171,540 (90th percentile), with a median of $90,400.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Financial Examiners jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 62,830 Financial Examiners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Financial Examiners 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 Financial Examiners earns $90,400. 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