Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalarySkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesJob Outlook

Compare

Full Time jobs

Purchase analyst vs project analyst

The differences between purchase analysts and project analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a purchase analyst and a project analyst. Additionally, a project analyst has an average salary of $71,174, which is higher than the $64,581 average annual salary of a purchase analyst.

The top three skills for a purchase analyst include purchase orders, supplier performance and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a project analyst are project management, data analysis, and customer service.

Purchase analyst vs project analyst overview

Purchase AnalystProject Analyst
Yearly salary$64,581$71,174
Hourly rate$31.05$34.22
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs88,542207,513
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

What does a purchase analyst do?

A purchase analyst is responsible for looking at the market outlook and determining what and when to buy when ordering supplies. They are responsible for making an investment in a product or technology, and contracting with vendors. You have varied duties and responsibilities that include researching product prices and comparisons, determining price history and cost-effectiveness, and providing leadership for logistics, resource management decisions, and sourcing. You will also be responsible for purchasing equipment from suppliers and working closely with leadership to develop sourcing strategies.

What does a project analyst do?

A project analyst is responsible for overseeing the development of new projects upon completion of data gathering. A project analyst must provide plans and design the project to its full potential. For this, it is essential to conduct extensive research and coordinate with all staff and departments involved through regular reports and various forms of communication. Furthermore, a project analyst must devise strategies to improve particular projects for it to succeed and achieve better results, all in adherence to the company policies and regulations.

Purchase analyst vs project analyst salary

Purchase analysts and project analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Purchase AnalystProject Analyst
Average salary$64,581$71,174
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $98,000Between $52,000 And $97,000
Highest paying CityMilford, MAJersey City, NJ
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best paying companyMPS HorticultureGoogle
Best paying industryRetailManufacturing

Differences between purchase analyst and project analyst education

There are a few differences between a purchase analyst and a project analyst in terms of educational background:

Purchase AnalystProject Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Purchase analyst vs project analyst demographics

Here are the differences between purchase analysts' and project analysts' demographics:

Purchase AnalystProject Analyst
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 45.8% Female, 54.2%Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 10.6% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 13.7% White, 64.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between purchase analyst and project analyst duties and responsibilities

Purchase analyst example responsibilities.

  • Transport purchases and contract and manage carriers (freight forwarders in order to arrange and manage the transportation of purchases.
  • Write RFI and RFP documents and manage the process for each.
  • Compile and manage the RFP excel database containing incumbent supplier pricing and alternative supplier pricing.
  • Manage purchasing data within proprietary applications and ERP systems with accuracy.
  • Manage and determine obsolete and/or slow moving inventory for all above mention commodities.
  • Manage factory activities for key commodities encompassing resource management in materials and production.
    • Show more

Project analyst example responsibilities.

  • Develop infrastructure to enable clients to better understand and manage risks associate with their decision environment to capture opportunities.
  • Develop and maintain VISIO process diagrams.
  • Coordinate system upgrades, interface development, QA testing and end-user training.
  • Originate, track, and submit final samples of promotional materials to FDA.
  • Team member that implement bar code system, close reductions and Hyperion software.
  • Project utilize DB2, CICS, MQ-Series software in a mainframe/NT workstation environment.
    • Show more

Purchase analyst vs project analyst skills

Common purchase analyst skills
  • Purchase Orders, 13%
  • Supplier Performance, 11%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • ERP, 5%
  • Cost Analysis, 5%
  • Logistics, 4%
Common project analyst skills
  • Project Management, 22%
  • Data Analysis, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Status Reports, 5%
  • SharePoint, 4%
  • PMP, 4%

Purchase Analyst vs. similar jobs

Purchase Analyst related careers

Purchase Analyst related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs