Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Office Clerks, General: 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 $32,020 more per year than Office Clerks, General professionals — that's 73.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $63,840 for Office Clerks, General.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Office Clerks, General$29,120 – $63,840
$29,120$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Office Clerks, General | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $29,120 | +$17,340 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $35,350 | +$23,320 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $43,630 | +$32,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $52,560 | +$46,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $63,840 | +$63,680 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $45,470 | +$36,250 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Office Clerks, General
2,510,550
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 Office Clerks, General
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $58,920 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $56,330 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $55,790 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $53,640 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $51,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Office Clerks, General?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $32,020 (73.4% 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 Office Clerks, General?
Office Clerks, General salaries range from $29,120 (10th percentile) to $63,840 (90th percentile), with a median of $43,630.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Office Clerks, General jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 2,510,550 Office Clerks, General positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Office Clerks, General 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 Office Clerks, General earns $43,630. 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