Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Median annual salary
1,266,860 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn $8,870 more per year than Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products professionals — that's 13.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $134,470 for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $37,860 | +$8,600 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $49,040 | +$9,630 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $66,780 | +$8,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $97,570 | +$1,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $134,470 | $-6,950 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $81,470 | +$250 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
1,266,860
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 Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $99,690 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $83,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $81,150 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,520 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $78,580 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
What is the salary range for Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
What is the salary range for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products?
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products to Buyers and Purchasing Agents?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS