Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Food Service Managers: 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 $10,340 more per year than Food Service Managers professionals — that's 15.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $105,420 for Food Service Managers.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
$42,380$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Food Service Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $42,380 | +$4,080 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $53,090 | +$5,580 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $65,310 | +$10,340 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $82,300 | +$16,890 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $105,420 | +$22,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $72,370 | +$9,350 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Food Service Managers
244,230
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 Food Service Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $95,540 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $86,840 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $84,180 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $82,570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $82,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Food Service Managers?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $10,340 (15.8% 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 Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Food Service Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 244,230 Food Service Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Food Service Managers 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 Food Service Managers earns $65,310. 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