Contracts administrator vs purchasing agent

The differences between contracts administrators and purchasing agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a contracts administrator and a purchasing agent. Additionally, a contracts administrator has an average salary of $52,876, which is higher than the $51,950 average annual salary of a purchasing agent.

The top three skills for a contracts administrator include contract administration, customer service and contract management. The most important skills for a purchasing agent are purchase orders, customer service, and logistics.

Contracts administrator vs purchasing agent overview

	Contracts Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Yearly salary	$52,876	$51,950
Hourly rate	$25.42	$24.98
Growth rate	-6%	-
Number of jobs	58,038	45,856
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a contracts administrator do?

Contract administrators create and manage legal contracts from which the company participates. They ensure that all entities to the contract will accomplish their obligations, as indicated in the contract. They usually work for larger organizations that might be involved with different or highly complex contracts. These organizations spread across a range of industries, including government, construction, and healthcare. Their responsibilities include addressing any conflicts of questions regarding the contract, analyzing the possible risks posed by contracts, and working alongside the legal and procurement teams.

What does a purchasing agent do?

A purchasing agent's general task is keeping purchase records and making sure that there won't be any discrepancies with the handling of orders. The purchasing agent should be responsible for the order processing and payment collection. Purchasing agents should also be proficient in interpreting and evaluating data, researching on best marketing sources and alternatives, issuing required documentation for suppliers, as well as managing customer queries as needed. Being a purchasing agent requires critical-thinking skills in assessing concerns and providing solutions should there be any possible negotiation conflicts.

Contracts administrator vs purchasing agent salary

Contracts administrators and purchasing agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Contracts Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Average salary	$52,876	$51,950
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $78,000	Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Maryland	Maryland
Best paying company	Ngam Advisors, L.P.	Abiomed
Best paying industry	Finance	Technology

Differences between contracts administrator and purchasing agent education

There are a few differences between a contracts administrator and a purchasing agent in terms of educational background:

	Contracts Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Contracts administrator vs purchasing agent demographics

Here are the differences between contracts administrators' and purchasing agents' demographics:

	Contracts Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8%	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.6% Asian, 7.7% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between contracts administrator and purchasing agent duties and responsibilities

Contracts administrator example responsibilities.

Manage communication between both interviewees and candidates regarding interview logistics.
Coordinate requirements and interface with other division personnel to accomplish timely and cost effective procurement of assign commodities.
Optimize GPO department operating efficiency with cleanup, data analysis, and rebate reconciliation projects.
Ensure ERP data management for customer info and contract.
Mentor employees new to the duties and responsibilities of an SCA.
Utilize SQL queries, advance excel formulas, functions and project scheduling tools.

Purchasing agent example responsibilities.

Reorganize MRO to manage inventory more efficiently.
Utilize MaCola ERP system to process and manage purchase requisitions and purchase orders in coordination with manufacturing forecast.
Process purchase orders from electronically generate RFQ'S.
Develop programs with suppliers to ensure that commodities meet engineering and quality specifications while maintaining on-time delivery.
Prepare purchase orders, RFP's and RFB's, advertise solicitations, review responses and approve contract acceptance.
Send out RFQ's and award orders to the best fit and price vendor to ensure manufacturing meets critical due dates.

Contracts administrator vs purchasing agent skills

Common contracts administrator skills

Contract Administration, 11%
Customer Service, 7%
Contract Management, 6%
Proposal Preparation, 5%
Purchase Orders, 5%
Contract Terms, 5%

Common purchasing agent skills

Purchase Orders, 30%
Customer Service, 12%
Logistics, 5%
Inventory Control, 4%
MRP, 3%
Cost Savings, 3%

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Contracts Administrator
Contracts Administrator vs Purchasing Agent

Updated January 8, 2025

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