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The differences between associate buyers and purchasers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an associate buyer, becoming a purchaser takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a purchaser has an average salary of $50,031, which is higher than the $49,963 average annual salary of an associate buyer.
The top three skills for an associate buyer include customer service, purchase orders and math. The most important skills for a purchaser are purchase orders, FDA, and POS.
| Associate Buyer | Purchaser | |
| Yearly salary | $49,963 | $50,031 |
| Hourly rate | $24.02 | $24.05 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 14,942 | 6,852 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 44 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An Associate Buyer maintains and keeps records of the inventory and disburses the different materials as required by the departments or personnel. The Associate Buyer reports to the Buyer or Senior Buyer.
A Purchaser is responsible for buying goods and services from distribution centers to sell to customers or other companies. They conduct data analysis and research current market trends to identify public demands and generate resources that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. They also ensure the adequacy of supply inventories for deliveries, respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, and recommend products according to their needs and budget requirements. A Purchaser must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting purchase transactions and negotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors.
Associate buyers and purchasers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Buyer | Purchaser | |
| Average salary | $49,963 | $50,031 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $68,000 | Between $36,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Atlantic City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | New York | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | VF | Barnes Group |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an associate buyer and a purchaser in terms of educational background:
| Associate Buyer | Purchaser | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 75% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between associate buyers' and purchasers' demographics:
| Associate Buyer | Purchaser | |
| Average age | 44 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.8% Female, 68.2% | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |