Buyers and Purchasing Agents vs Substitute Teachers, Short-Term: 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 $37,180 more per year than Substitute Teachers, Short-Term professionals — that's 96.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Buyers and Purchasing Agents earns $127,520 compared to $63,460 for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term.
Salary Range Comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents$46,460 – $127,520
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$26,240 – $63,460
$26,240$127,520
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Buyers and Purchasing Agents | Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,460 | $26,240 | +$20,220 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,670 | $31,310 | +$27,360 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $38,470 | +$37,180 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,190 | $51,930 | +$47,260 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,520 | $63,460 | +$64,060 |
| Mean (Average) | $81,720 | $44,930 | +$36,790 |
Employment Numbers
Buyers and Purchasing Agents
486,900
employed nationwide
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
481,300
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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $64,090 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $60,080 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,570 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL | $58,070 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,740 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Buyers and Purchasing Agents or Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Buyers and Purchasing Agents professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $37,180 (96.6% 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term?
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term salaries range from $26,240 (10th percentile) to $63,460 (90th percentile), with a median of $38,470.
How many Buyers and Purchasing Agents and Substitute Teachers, Short-Term jobs are there?
There are approximately 486,900 Buyers and Purchasing Agents positions and 481,300 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Substitute Teachers, Short-Term 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 Substitute Teachers, Short-Term earns $38,470. 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