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The differences between contract administrator/contract specialists and senior 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 contract administrator/contract specialist and a senior buyer. Additionally, a senior buyer has an average salary of $79,848, which is higher than the $53,425 average annual salary of a contract administrator/contract specialist.
The top three skills for a contract administrator/contract specialist include contract management, purchase orders and contract terms. The most important skills for a senior buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and MRP.
| Contract Administrator/Contract Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $53,425 | $79,848 |
| Hourly rate | $25.69 | $38.39 |
| Growth rate | 9% | - |
| Number of jobs | 61,764 | 27,412 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Contract Administrator and Contract Specialist reviews all contracts of the company. They are responsible for reviewing every contract if it is for the company's benefit and if there are hidden risks. This person also helps draft future contracts and inspects new contracts during deals and negotiations. Contract Specialists update existing contracts, propose amendments if necessary, and advise the company on contracts that have risks that may affect the activities of the company.
The job of senior buyers, or also known as purchasing agents, is to meet the material needs of an organization. They are responsible for finding suppliers, arranging the distribution to several retail outlets, and supervising other purchasing agents. They also look for new product streams and establish procurement strategies. Senior buyers typically begin their careers as assistant buyers or junior purchasing agents. Most employers usually prefer those with college degrees in marketing, business, and economics.
Contract administrator/contract specialists and senior buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Contract Administrator/Contract Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Average salary | $53,425 | $79,848 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $79,000 | Between $56,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | Annapolis, MD | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | New York |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Capgemini |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a contract administrator/contract specialist and a senior buyer in terms of educational background:
| Contract Administrator/Contract Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between contract administrator/contract specialists' and senior buyers' demographics:
| Contract Administrator/Contract Specialist | Senior Buyer | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0% | Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.6% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |