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The differences between category analysts and market research analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a category analyst and a market research analyst. Additionally, a category analyst has an average salary of $60,658, which is higher than the $51,688 average annual salary of a market research analyst.
The top three skills for a category analyst include powerpoint, IRI and data analysis. The most important skills for a market research analyst are powerpoint, data analysis, and SPSS.
| Category Analyst | Market Research Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $60,658 | $51,688 |
| Hourly rate | $29.16 | $24.85 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 17,182 | 71,240 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A market research analyst is an individual who studies the market conditions so that he/she or she can examine the potential sales of an organization's product or service. Market research analysts are required to devise and evaluate methods for collecting data such as surveys, focus groups, and opinion polls. They must interpret the data they have collected and presented their findings to executives and clients to help them make better-informed decisions. Market research analysts are also required to create visuals of industry trends and competitors so the company can predict how it fares in the marketplace.
Category analysts and market research analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Category Analyst | Market Research Analyst | |
| Average salary | $60,658 | $51,688 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $84,000 | Between $36,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Imply |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a category analyst and a market research analyst in terms of educational background:
| Category Analyst | Market Research Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between category analysts' and market research analysts' demographics:
| Category Analyst | Market Research Analyst | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6% | Male, 51.2% Female, 48.8% |
| 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, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.3% Asian, 14.3% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |