Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Software Developers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Software Developers professionals earn $57,430 more per year than Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals — that's 75.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $211,450 for Software Developers.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
$46,460$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Software Developers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $79,850 | $-33,390 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $103,050 | $-44,380 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $133,080 | $-57,430 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $169,000 | $-69,810 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $211,450 | $-83,930 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $144,570 | $-62,850 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Software Developers
1,654,440
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 Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Software Developers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $57,430 (75.9% 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 Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Software Developers jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 1,654,440 Software Developers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Software Developers 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 Software Developers earns $133,080. 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