Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: 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 $16,210 more per year than Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners professionals — that's 27.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $101,310 for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$35,990 – $101,310
$35,990$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $35,990 | +$10,470 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $45,610 | +$13,060 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $59,440 | +$16,210 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $77,150 | +$22,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $101,310 | +$26,210 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $65,090 | +$16,630 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
134,670
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 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $81,120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $79,070 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $77,860 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $74,890 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $69,420 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $16,210 (27.3% 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 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners salaries range from $35,990 (10th percentile) to $101,310 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,440.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 134,670 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners 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 Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners earns $59,440. 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