Purchase analyst vs purchasing agent

The differences between purchase analysts and purchasing agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a purchase analyst, becoming a purchasing agent takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a purchase analyst has an average salary of $64,581, which is higher than the $51,950 average annual salary of a purchasing agent.

The top three skills for a purchase analyst include purchase orders, supplier performance and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a purchasing agent are purchase orders, customer service, and logistics.

Purchase analyst vs purchasing agent overview

	Purchase Analyst	Purchasing Agent
Yearly salary	$64,581	$51,950
Hourly rate	$31.05	$24.98
Growth rate	11%	-
Number of jobs	88,542	45,856
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	44	48
Years of experience	4	6

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 purchasing agent do?

A purchasing agent's general task is keeping purchase records and making sure that there won't be any discrepancies with the handling of orders. The purchasing agent should be responsible for the order processing and payment collection. Purchasing agents should also be proficient in interpreting and evaluating data, researching on best marketing sources and alternatives, issuing required documentation for suppliers, as well as managing customer queries as needed. Being a purchasing agent requires critical-thinking skills in assessing concerns and providing solutions should there be any possible negotiation conflicts.

Purchase analyst vs purchasing agent salary

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

	Purchase Analyst	Purchasing Agent
Average salary	$64,581	$51,950
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $98,000	Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Milford, MA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Maryland
Best paying company	MPS Horticulture	Abiomed
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between purchase analyst and purchasing agent education

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

	Purchase Analyst	Purchasing Agent
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 70%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Purchase analyst vs purchasing agent demographics

Here are the differences between purchase analysts' and purchasing agents' demographics:

	Purchase Analyst	Purchasing Agent
Average age	44	48
Gender ratio	Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%
Race ratio	Black 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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	12%	7%

Differences between purchase analyst and purchasing agent 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

Purchasing agent example responsibilities.

Reorganize MRO to manage inventory more efficiently.
Utilize MaCola ERP system to process and manage purchase requisitions and purchase orders in coordination with manufacturing forecast.
Process purchase orders from electronically generate RFQ'S.
Develop programs with suppliers to ensure that commodities meet engineering and quality specifications while maintaining on-time delivery.
Prepare purchase orders, RFP's and RFB's, advertise solicitations, review responses and approve contract acceptance.
Send out RFQ's and award orders to the best fit and price vendor to ensure manufacturing meets critical due dates.

Show more

Purchase analyst vs purchasing agent skills

Common purchase analyst skills

Purchase Orders, 13%
Supplier Performance, 11%
Continuous Improvement, 5%
ERP, 5%
Cost Analysis, 5%
Logistics, 4%

Common purchasing agent skills

Purchase Orders, 30%
Customer Service, 12%
Logistics, 5%
Inventory Control, 4%
MRP, 3%
Cost Savings, 3%

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

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z