Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Insurance Sales Agents: 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 $15,280 more per year than Insurance Sales Agents professionals — that's 25.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $135,660 for Insurance Sales Agents.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Insurance Sales Agents$36,390 – $135,660
$36,390$135,660
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Insurance Sales Agents | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $36,390 | +$10,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $45,520 | +$13,150 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $60,370 | +$15,280 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $91,150 | +$8,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $135,660 | $-8,140 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $81,510 | +$210 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Insurance Sales Agents
469,480
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 Insurance Sales Agents
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $81,890 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $79,860 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $78,130 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $77,630 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $76,570 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Insurance Sales Agents?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $15,280 (25.3% 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 Insurance Sales Agents?
Insurance Sales Agents salaries range from $36,390 (10th percentile) to $135,660 (90th percentile), with a median of $60,370.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Insurance Sales Agents jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 469,480 Insurance Sales Agents positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Insurance Sales Agents 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 Insurance Sales Agents earns $60,370. 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