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The differences between buyers and supply chain analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes More than 10 years to become a buyer, becoming a supply chain analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a supply chain analyst has an average salary of $67,450, which is higher than the $54,049 average annual salary of a buyer.
The top three skills for a buyer include purchase orders, customer service and logistics. The most important skills for a supply chain analyst are supply chain, logistics, and customer service.
| Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $54,049 | $67,450 |
| Hourly rate | $25.99 | $32.43 |
| Growth rate | - | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 23,589 | 37,979 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 47 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
A buyer's duties include product sourcing and comparing resources for the best product range that would suit the specific needs of the business. Buyers must have excellent communication and negotiation skills to evaluate items that most likely benefit the customer and improve the sales of daily operations with cost-efficient products. They also conduct extensive research for market and price trends while considering the highest quality standards. Buyers should also possess strong analytical skills to create purchase orders and statistical analysis.
A supply chain analyst is responsible for handling the supply chain operations of an organization, aligning processes, and identifying areas of improvement to initiate procedures and create smooth supply delivery transactions. Supply chain analysts monitor the adequacy of stock inventory, including the trends in the market industry, to meet the public demands and ensuring that the business provides those interests. They also evaluate the supply cycle, from the planning stages to the final distribution, and analyzing aspects to minimize complexities and cost-reduction without compromising the quality of services.
Buyers and supply chain analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Average salary | $54,049 | $67,450 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $76,000 | Between $50,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | Englewood, NJ | Arlington, VA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Virginia |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a buyer and a supply chain analyst in terms of educational background:
| Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | California State University - Bakersfield | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between buyers' and supply chain analysts' demographics:
| Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Average age | 47 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.9% Female, 56.1% | Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 6.7% White, 75.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 11.4% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 9% |