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The differences between category analysts and pricing 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 pricing analyst. Additionally, a pricing analyst has an average salary of $64,168, 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 pricing analyst are pricing strategy, strong analytical, and customer service.
| Category Analyst | Pricing Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $60,658 | $64,168 |
| Hourly rate | $29.16 | $30.85 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 17,182 | 73,462 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| 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.
Pricing analysts are responsible for examining competitors' pricing strategies and industry standards to aid businesses in determining and setting competitive pricing. These professionals study consumer habits and behavior to gauge their willingness to pay for products and examine consumer spending. They conduct impact and mathematical analyses, and large-scale research to come up with their conclusions. Other duties and responsibilities include developing revenue forecasts and statistical models, monitoring industry trends, and developing pricing tools that can quickly respond to the rapidly changing market trends and needs.
Category analysts and pricing analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Category Analyst | Pricing Analyst | |
| Average salary | $60,658 | $64,168 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $84,000 | Between $46,000 And $89,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Delaware | Washington |
| Best paying company | Amazon | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Education | Finance |
There are a few differences between a category analyst and a pricing analyst in terms of educational background:
| Category Analyst | Pricing Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between category analysts' and pricing analysts' demographics:
| Category Analyst | Pricing Analyst | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 48.4% Female, 51.6% | Male, 53.3% Female, 46.7% |
| 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, 5.0% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.0% Asian, 13.0% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |