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The differences between media analysts and media 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 media analyst and a media buyer. Additionally, a media buyer has an average salary of $74,390, which is higher than the $63,956 average annual salary of a media analyst.
The top three skills for a media analyst include digital marketing, google analytics and media management. The most important skills for a media buyer are digital marketing, campaign performance, and media buying.
| Media Analyst | Media Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $63,956 | $74,390 |
| Hourly rate | $30.75 | $35.76 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 49,315 | 20,884 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 87% |
| Average age | 37 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
The duties of a media analyst depend on one's place or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around performing research and analysis to determine areas needing improvement, identifying new opportunities, and learning the public's reception. They are also responsible for coordinating with other departments, producing progress reports and presentations, and offering options according to research findings. As an analyst, it is also essential to consider all significant factors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Media Buyers are marketing professionals who manage the company's advertisements. They create the company's media plan to determine the advertising needs of the company. They negotiate with external providers to get the best advertisement placement values. To do this, Media Buyers are expected to conduct thorough research on the different advertising companies, networks, media, size of placement, and length of advertisement. Their research must consider the target market and determine the best media to reach their target market. Media Buyers should have good negotiation skills and must be able to maintain good working relationships with providers.
Media analysts and media buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Media Analyst | Media Buyer | |
| Average salary | $63,956 | $74,390 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $86,000 | Between $56,000 And $98,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Burlington, VT |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Vermont |
| Best paying company | Apple | Bloomberg |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Professional |
There are a few differences between a media analyst and a media buyer in terms of educational background:
| Media Analyst | Media Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 87% |
| Most common major | Communication | Communication |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between media analysts' and media buyers' demographics:
| Media Analyst | Media Buyer | |
| Average age | 37 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.5% Female, 47.5% | Male, 30.1% Female, 69.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.7% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 11.2% Asian, 14.1% White, 65.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 7% |