Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Labor Relations Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn $17,850 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 23.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $153,440 for Labor Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Labor Relations Specialists$49,880 – $153,440
$46,460$153,440
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Labor Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $49,880 | $-3,420 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $67,670 | $-9,000 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $93,500 | $-17,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $123,090 | $-23,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $153,440 | $-25,920 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $97,130 | $-15,410 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Labor Relations Specialists
64,590
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 Labor Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $145,360 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,460 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $118,620 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $106,180 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $105,710 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $17,850 (23.6% 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 Labor Relations Specialists?
Labor Relations Specialists salaries range from $49,880 (10th percentile) to $153,440 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,500.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Labor Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 64,590 Labor Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Labor Relations Specialists 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 Labor Relations Specialists earns $93,500. 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