Buying analyst vs human resources analyst

The differences between buying analysts and human resources analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a buying analyst, becoming a human resources analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a buying analyst has an average salary of $77,425, which is higher than the $69,001 average annual salary of a human resources analyst.

The top three skills for a buying analyst include purchase orders, delivery schedules and MRP. The most important skills for a human resources analyst are HRIS, customer service, and powerpoint.

Buying analyst vs human resources analyst overview

	Buying Analyst	Human Resources Analyst
Yearly salary	$77,425	$69,001
Hourly rate	$37.22	$33.17
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	22,966	90,211
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age	48	44
Years of experience	6	4

What does a buying analyst do?

A buying analyst specializes in conducting extensive market research and analysis to develop conclusions and recommendations that will help companies in making purchase decisions. They focus on studying the suppliers and competing companies, gathering and analyzing consumer feedback, performing audits and risk assessments, and making forecast models. They may also assess and evaluate external parties, such as vendors and distributors. Through the findings of their research, a buying analyst may also help in establishing guidelines, protocols, and methods to optimize business operations and develop solutions against problem areas.

What does a human resources analyst do?

A human resources (HR) analyst is an individual who collaborates with a company's HR staff members to identify and assist in solving HR-related issues. HR analysts must provide advice and support to numerous departments in the organization regarding HR policies and best practices. They assist the HR team in the moderation of operating policies, guidelines, and systems to encourage best practices in the company. HR analysts also review data of employees and job candidates while inputting them into the HR database.

Buying analyst vs human resources analyst salary

Buying analysts and human resources analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Buying Analyst	Human Resources Analyst
Average salary	$77,425	$69,001
Salary range	Between $52,000 And $113,000	Between $49,000 And $96,000
Highest paying City	Palo Alto, CA	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	YellowHammer	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Finance	Finance

Differences between buying analyst and human resources analyst education

There are a few differences between a buying analyst and a human resources analyst in terms of educational background:

	Buying Analyst	Human Resources Analyst
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 72%	Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Northwestern University

Buying analyst vs human resources analyst demographics

Here are the differences between buying analysts' and human resources analysts' demographics:

	Buying Analyst	Human Resources Analyst
Average age	48	44
Gender ratio	Male, 52.2% Female, 47.8%	Male, 29.1% Female, 70.9%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 12.0% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	12%

Differences between buying analyst and human resources analyst duties and responsibilities

Buying analyst example responsibilities.

Support the implementation of vendor manage inventory programs for MRO relate commodities.
Develop, implement and control MRO relate commodities cost saving initiatives in alignment with business unit goals.
Submit, receive and analyze RFQ.
Request RFP's and negotiate contracts.
Champion order fulfillment, business development, order placement, vendor relations, and MRP planning.
Handle MRO buying, as well as coding invoices so that correct account center is hit.

Human resources analyst example responsibilities.

Manage ADP implementation through completion.
Lead overall Kronos implementation as in-house lead consultant.
Manage annual affirmative action plan including ongoing tracking of EEO information and annual reporting.
Manage leave-of-absence program and work with corporate benefits to administer FMLA notifications and assist with disability relate issues.
Perform weekly quality audit checks for KRONOS to ensure update records are accurate and correct.
Prepare written and electronic reports and presentations in PowerPoint.

Buying analyst vs human resources analyst skills

Common buying analyst skills

Purchase Orders, 20%
Delivery Schedules, 6%
MRP, 6%
Expedite, 5%
Cost Savings, 5%
Lean Manufacturing, 4%

Common human resources analyst skills

HRIS, 11%
Customer Service, 8%
PowerPoint, 6%
Data Analysis, 6%
Data Integrity, 4%
Process Improvement, 4%

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Buying Analyst vs Human Resources Analyst

Updated January 8, 2025

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