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The differences between merchandise analysts and marketing specialists 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 specialist. Additionally, a merchandise analyst has an average salary of $67,933, which is higher than the $54,942 average annual salary of a marketing specialist.
The top three skills for a merchandise analyst include powerpoint, SQL and data analysis. The most important skills for a marketing specialist are digital marketing, marketing campaigns, and project management.
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $67,933 | $54,942 |
| Hourly rate | $32.66 | $26.41 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 38,127 | 87,145 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| 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 specialist's primary responsibility revolves around conducting thorough market research and analysis to acquire extensive knowledge and understanding of a brand and how it will work in the consumer market. They must determine and come up with strategies and utilize this to develop various programs or campaigns that would be vital in bringing more awareness to the brand, thus boosting sales and improving client base. Furthermore, a marketing specialist must also use their expertise to figure out new opportunities and trends that will work for the company.
Merchandise analysts and marketing specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Average salary | $67,933 | $54,942 |
| Salary range | Between $49,000 And $92,000 | Between $36,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Macy's | |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Technology |
There are a few differences between a merchandise analyst and a marketing specialist in terms of educational background:
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 83% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Georgia |
Here are the differences between merchandise analysts' and marketing specialists' demographics:
| Merchandise Analyst | Marketing Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.6% Female, 63.4% | Male, 35.5% Female, 64.5% |
| 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, 5.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |