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The differences between engineering planners and planner/buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an engineering planner, becoming a planner/buyer takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an engineering planner has an average salary of $71,606, which is higher than the $54,261 average annual salary of a planner/buyer.
The top three skills for an engineering planner include metrics, engineering drawings and powerpoint. The most important skills for a planner/buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and customer service.
| Engineering Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $71,606 | $54,261 |
| Hourly rate | $34.43 | $26.09 |
| Growth rate | 10% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 74,212 | 33,452 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
The engineering planner works together with other engineering staff involved in the project to design and work on the project's timeframe while also working on the work schedules of staff. They sometimes become the mediator between on-site engineers and office officials' communication. They keep records of daily and monthly project progress. On-site, they are responsible for observing any discrepancies and recording them for reporting. They work with managers and supervisors at the office to process communication to contractors and subcontractors and allocate budgets meticulously.
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.
Engineering planners and planner/buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Engineering Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average salary | $71,606 | $54,261 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $103,000 | Between $37,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Reston, VA | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Zoox | Edwards Lifesciences |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Technology |
There are a few differences between an engineering planner and a planner/buyer in terms of educational background:
| Engineering Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | New York University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between engineering planners' and planner/buyers' demographics:
| Engineering Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average age | 42 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% | Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 10.3% White, 69.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 | 4% | 7% |