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The differences between commodity analysts and planner/buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a commodity analyst and a planner/buyer. Additionally, a commodity analyst has an average salary of $87,261, which is higher than the $54,261 average annual salary of a planner/buyer.
The top three skills for a commodity analyst include risk management, commodities and macro. The most important skills for a planner/buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and customer service.
| Commodity Analyst | Planner/Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $87,261 | $54,261 |
| Hourly rate | $41.95 | $26.09 |
| Growth rate | 11% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 11,130 | 33,452 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A commodity analyst focuses on the raw material part of the stock market. This job can range from analyzing oil and electricity to soybeans and fruits. Typical tasks of a commodity analyst include monitoring the commodities and market industries, analyzing financial information, and drafting accurate reports for investors. This analyst requires at least a bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field. Other qualifications include using computer software, a thorough knowledge of economics, and analytical skills.
The role of buyers/planners is to ensure that office materials and equipment are well-supplied within their organization. They decide and purchase the materials needed for use or resale by their organization. They are responsible for evaluating prospective suppliers based on their cost, product quality, and delivery times. They are also the ones who negotiate contracts specifying the payment terms, price, and delivery schedules. Most employers prefer their buyer to have earned a bachelor's degree with a major in operations management or business management.
Commodity analysts and planner/buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commodity Analyst | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average salary | $87,261 | $54,261 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $119,000 | Between $37,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Apple | Edwards Lifesciences |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a commodity analyst and a planner/buyer in terms of educational background:
| Commodity Analyst | Planner/Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between commodity analysts' and planner/buyers' demographics:
| Commodity Analyst | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.6% Female, 36.4% | Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |