Salary comparison
Buyers and Purchasing Agents: San Francisco vs Washington
Washington, DC pays about 12.1% more for buyers and purchasing agents on paper — $104,880 vs $93,600. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Washington comes out ahead by $11,280 a year in real buying power.
San Francisco, CA
$93,600
$72,640
$122,900
$45.00
100
$93,600/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Washington, DC
$104,880
$77,690
$135,510
$50.43
100
$104,880/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $11,280 a year (12.1%) in favor of Washington. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
San Francisco runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Washington sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Washington is the better deal by $11,280 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from San Francisco to Washington for this role, the raise needs to beat 12.1% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do buyers and purchasing agents earn more, San Francisco or Washington?
Washington pays $104,880 on median — about 12.1% more than San Francisco ($93,600). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Washington. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Washington gives you roughly$104,880 of real buying power versus $93,600 in the other city.