Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $25,100 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 33.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$46,460$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $59,830 | $-13,370 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $76,950 | $-18,280 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $100,750 | $-25,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $131,660 | $-32,470 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $165,790 | $-38,270 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $108,100 | $-26,380 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $25,100 (33.2% 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 Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management 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 Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. 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