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The differences between commodity analysts and purchasing assistants 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 purchasing assistant. Additionally, a commodity analyst has an average salary of $87,261, which is higher than the $38,331 average annual salary of a purchasing assistant.
The top three skills for a commodity analyst include risk management, commodities and macro. The most important skills for a purchasing assistant are purchase orders, purchase requisitions, and customer service.
| Commodity Analyst | Purchasing Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $87,261 | $38,331 |
| Hourly rate | $41.95 | $18.43 |
| Growth rate | 11% | -8% |
| Number of jobs | 11,130 | 8,415 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| 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.
A purchasing assistant is responsible for obtaining raw materials and goods for a business or company. They primarily function to assist purchasing managers or supervisors by keeping records, maintaining inventory, reviewing purchase orders, and monitoring shipments and deliveries. Furthermore, a purchasing assistant may perform administrative support tasks ranging from arranging appointments and managing schedules, answering calls and inquiries, reaching out to vendors and suppliers, producing reports, and coordinating with various departments to ensure the smooth flow of products within the company.
Commodity analysts and purchasing assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Commodity Analyst | Purchasing Assistant | |
| Average salary | $87,261 | $38,331 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $119,000 | Between $31,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Apple | University of California, Berkeley |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a commodity analyst and a purchasing assistant in terms of educational background:
| Commodity Analyst | Purchasing Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between commodity analysts' and purchasing assistants' demographics:
| Commodity Analyst | Purchasing Assistant | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.6% Female, 36.4% | Male, 22.8% Female, 77.2% |
| 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, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |