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The differences between purchasers and subcontract administrators 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 subcontract administrator. Additionally, a subcontract administrator has an average salary of $65,686, 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 subcontract administrator are price analysis, purchase orders, and program management.
| Purchaser | Subcontract Administrator | |
| Yearly salary | $50,031 | $65,686 |
| Hourly rate | $24.05 | $31.58 |
| Growth rate | - | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 6,852 | 51,285 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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.
As a subcontract administrator, you will be responsible for identifying the needs of a company and implement measures and initiatives to fulfill those needs. This role will require you to perform a few tasks, including responding to purchase requisitions, soliciting bids and proposals from new and existing sources, and evaluating terms and awarding the subcontract. You are then expected to monitor the subcontract terms, including plans, progress, and payments. You will also be responsible for negotiating additions, modifications, and deletions of subcontracts.
Purchasers and subcontract administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Purchaser | Subcontract Administrator | |
| Average salary | $50,031 | $65,686 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $68,000 | Between $42,000 And $102,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlantic City, NJ | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Barnes Group | Urban Institute |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a purchaser and a subcontract administrator in terms of educational background:
| Purchaser | Subcontract Administrator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between purchasers' and subcontract administrators' demographics:
| Purchaser | Subcontract Administrator | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% |
| 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, 12.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |