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The differences between material leads and material analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a material lead, becoming a material analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a material lead has an average salary of $86,429, which is higher than the $66,092 average annual salary of a material analyst.
The top three skills for a material lead include continuous improvement, logistics and materials management. The most important skills for a material analyst are supply chain, logistics, and MRP.
| Material Lead | Material Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $86,429 | $66,092 |
| Hourly rate | $41.55 | $31.77 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 22,580 | 48,758 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
As a material lead, they must know record-keeping practices, automated system operations, safety/supervisory practices and principles, adopt skills in operating materials handling, automotive and office equipment, and in lifting heavy packages and objects. They are entitled to coordinate the activities of subordinates, design stockroom layout and oversee rearranging processes, examine incoming shipments for shortage or damage and correspond with the shipper to rectify and fill out appropriate documents and forms. They also need to review the complex work procedure to resolve question presentations by workers.
A materials analyst is responsible for managing the assets and materials of an organization, ensuring the adequacy of office inventories to support business operational functions. Materials analysts identify cost-reduction materials by coordinating with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. They handle the distribution of goods and order processes according to the company's supply chain management. A materials analyst must have excellent organizational and analytical skills, especially in conducting data and statistical analysis to obtain high-quality materials that would meet the customers' demands.
Material leads and material analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Lead | Material Analyst | |
| Average salary | $86,429 | $66,092 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $132,000 | Between $49,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | South San Francisco, CA | Union City, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | California |
| Best paying company | Biogen | Micron Technology |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a material lead and a material analyst in terms of educational background:
| Material Lead | Material Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between material leads' and material analysts' demographics:
| Material Lead | Material Analyst | |
| Average age | 45 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.9% Female, 26.1% | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 7% |