Assistant media buyer vs planner/buyer

The differences between assistant media buyers and planner/buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an assistant media buyer and a planner/buyer. Additionally, a planner/buyer has an average salary of $54,261, which is higher than the $50,861 average annual salary of an assistant media buyer.

The top three skills for an assistant media buyer include buying process, media buying and media planning. The most important skills for a planner/buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and customer service.

Assistant media buyer vs planner/buyer overview

	Assistant Media Buyer	Planner/Buyer
Yearly salary	$50,861	$54,261
Hourly rate	$24.45	$26.09
Growth rate	8%	-3%
Number of jobs	18,308	33,452
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 94%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

Assistant media buyer vs planner/buyer salary

Assistant media buyers and planner/buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Assistant Media Buyer	Planner/Buyer
Average salary	$50,861	$54,261
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $64,000	Between $37,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	-	Billerica, MA
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Edwards Lifesciences
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between assistant media buyer and planner/buyer education

There are a few differences between an assistant media buyer and a planner/buyer in terms of educational background:

	Assistant Media Buyer	Planner/Buyer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 94%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Communication	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Assistant media buyer vs planner/buyer demographics

Here are the differences between assistant media buyers' and planner/buyers' demographics:

	Assistant Media Buyer	Planner/Buyer
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%	Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between assistant media buyer and planner/buyer duties and responsibilities

Assistant media buyer example responsibilities.

Manage team responsible for SEM, digital media, and campaign optimization.
Create PowerPoint presentations demonstrating which markets perform best, as measured by consumer ratings they achieve quarter-by-quarter.
Follow current trends on all SEO & SEM topics through research and networking.
Utilize SEO best practices to optimize internal web properties and mobile sites/apps.
Present creative media plans directly to clients, utilizing Donavan, PowerPoint, and other media software.
Research and analyze Nielsen ratings, demographics and programming trends to suit client objectives for each media plan.

Planner/buyer example responsibilities.

Manage assign commodities by communicating MRP changes to the suppliers, minimizing obsolete inventory while achieving the optimum inventory levels.
Manage monthly and year end physical inventory audits of all raw materials, WIP, and finish goods.
Manage inventory pipelines from NPI to manufacturing and/or offshore contract manufacturers.
Utilize company ERP system for inventory management and schedule optimization.
Plan and coordinate all material requirements of assign commodities and supplier availability utilizing the MRP system.
Synchronize with packers and freight forwarders to arrange and prepare documentation shipment export.

Assistant media buyer vs planner/buyer skills

Common assistant media buyer skills

Buying Process, 17%
Media Buying, 9%
Media Planning, 7%
TV Stations, 5%
Nielsen, 5%
Sales Reps, 5%

Common planner/buyer skills

Supply Chain, 14%
Purchase Orders, 14%
Customer Service, 7%
MRP, 6%
ERP, 3%
Logistics, 3%