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The differences between merchandise analysts and marketing consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a merchandise analyst and a marketing consultant. Additionally, a marketing consultant has an average salary of $70,593, which is higher than the $67,933 average annual salary of a merchandise analyst.
The top three skills for a merchandise analyst include powerpoint, SQL and data analysis. The most important skills for a marketing consultant are customer service, web content, and media sales.
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $67,933 | $70,593 |
| Hourly rate | $32.66 | $33.94 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 38,127 | 88,935 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A merchandise analyst is an individual who monitors inventory levels while following and charting the profits and sales of a store or company. Merchandise analysts are required to identify appropriate industry and product categories so that they can focus on maximizing the business of each store. They must review and analyze weekly advertisement results with team members to meet their sales goals as well as identify causes of high carryover and methods for reduction. Merchandise analysts must also use data analysis to identify markets and fine-tune merchandise.
A marketing consultant is responsible for utilizing their extensive retail expertise to develop strategies on how to strengthen client base and achieve better sales. Furthermore, a marketing consultant must perform research and analysis to determine opportunities for financial gains, devise plans to improve client satisfaction, assess the competition, look out for any risks, and develop its brand and image. They should also ensure that all steps taken adhere to the policies and regulations of the organization.
Merchandise analysts and marketing consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Consultant | |
| Average salary | $67,933 | $70,593 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $92,000 | Between $44,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Wilmington, DE |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Delaware |
| Best paying company | Macy's | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a merchandise analyst and a marketing consultant in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between merchandise analysts' and marketing consultants' demographics:
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Consultant | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.6% Female, 63.4% | Male, 46.0% Female, 54.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 10.7% White, 66.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | Black or African American, 5.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 10.8% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |