Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Public Relations Specialists: 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 $5,870 more per year than Public Relations Specialists professionals — that's 8.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $129,480 for Public Relations Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Public Relations Specialists$40,750 – $129,480
$40,750$129,480
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Public Relations Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $40,750 | +$5,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $51,970 | +$6,700 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $69,780 | +$5,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $95,940 | +$3,250 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $129,480 | $-1,960 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $80,310 | +$1,410 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Public Relations Specialists
280,590
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 Public Relations Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,200 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,460 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $95,370 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $93,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $92,060 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Public Relations Specialists?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,870 (8.4% 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 Public Relations Specialists?
Public Relations Specialists salaries range from $40,750 (10th percentile) to $129,480 (90th percentile), with a median of $69,780.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Public Relations Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 280,590 Public Relations Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Public 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 Public Relations Specialists earns $69,780. 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