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The differences between category analysts and business 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 category analyst, becoming a business analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a business analyst has an average salary of $74,431, which is higher than the $60,658 average annual salary of a category analyst.
The top three skills for a category analyst include powerpoint, IRI and data analysis. The most important skills for a business analyst are project management, data analysis, and business analysis.
| Category Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $60,658 | $74,431 |
| Hourly rate | $29.16 | $35.78 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 17,182 | 170,514 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A category analyst is responsible for evaluating the category management systems to improve efficiency and maximize the productivity of distribution departments and achieve the highest customer satisfaction. Category analysts coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors, negotiate pricing contracts, research on current market trends for product selection, and maintain the adequacy of stock inventories. They also develop cost-reduction techniques by conducting data analysis and studying the current operational policies. A category analyst works closely with the marketing and sales team to identify business opportunities, implementing promotional techniques, and increase brand awareness to the public market.
Business analysts are employees who are responsible for interpreting business data and coming up with business solutions. They are well-versed in whatever business the company is in, and they have strong business acumen. They collect data related to the business and then interpret and analyze the data. Business analysts should be able to conduct different levels of analyses and must also be able to create a sound study. Once the analysis is done, they provide recommendations or strategic direction to decision-makers that will help the business become sustainable and grow.
Category analysts and business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Category Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $60,658 | $74,431 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $84,000 | Between $53,000 And $103,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Mountain View, CA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Education | Finance |
There are a few differences between a category analyst and a business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Category Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between category analysts' and business analysts' demographics:
| Category Analyst | Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 37 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6% | Male, 53.9% Female, 46.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 11.9% White, 65.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 12.0% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 11% |