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The differences between purchasers and material analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a purchaser and a material analyst. Additionally, a material analyst has an average salary of $66,092, which is higher than the $50,031 average annual salary of a purchaser.
The top three skills for a purchaser include purchase orders, FDA and POS. The most important skills for a material analyst are supply chain, logistics, and MRP.
| Purchaser | Material Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $50,031 | $66,092 |
| Hourly rate | $24.05 | $31.77 |
| Growth rate | - | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 6,852 | 48,758 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A Purchaser is responsible for buying goods and services from distribution centers to sell to customers or other companies. They conduct data analysis and research current market trends to identify public demands and generate resources that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. They also ensure the adequacy of supply inventories for deliveries, respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, and recommend products according to their needs and budget requirements. A Purchaser must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting purchase transactions and negotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors.
A materials analyst is responsible for managing the assets and materials of an organization, ensuring the adequacy of office inventories to support business operational functions. Materials analysts identify cost-reduction materials by coordinating with trusted suppliers and third-party vendors. They handle the distribution of goods and order processes according to the company's supply chain management. A materials analyst must have excellent organizational and analytical skills, especially in conducting data and statistical analysis to obtain high-quality materials that would meet the customers' demands.
Purchasers and material analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Purchaser | Material Analyst | |
| Average salary | $50,031 | $66,092 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $68,000 | Between $49,000 And $88,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlantic City, NJ | Union City, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Barnes Group | Micron Technology |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a purchaser and a material analyst in terms of educational background:
| Purchaser | Material Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between purchasers' and material analysts' demographics:
| Purchaser | Material Analyst | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |