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The differences between purchasing agents and procurement buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a purchasing agent and a procurement buyer. Additionally, a procurement buyer has an average salary of $61,874, which is higher than the $51,950 average annual salary of a purchasing agent.
The top three skills for a purchasing agent include purchase orders, customer service and logistics. The most important skills for a procurement buyer are purchase orders, supplier performance, and logistics.
| Purchasing Agent | Procurement Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $51,950 | $61,874 |
| Hourly rate | $24.98 | $29.75 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 45,856 | 16,674 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Procurement Buyers oversee the requisition of goods and services for the company. They receive purchase requisitions from employees or departments and contact possible vendors that can supply the items. They compare the price quotations of these vendors and choose the most cost-efficient option. Upon choosing, procurement buyers notify the vendor and proceed with the request. Procurement buyers are responsible for the receipt of goods from the suppliers. They check the deliveries and ensure that all orders are complete and in good condition. They also handle the receipts and consolidate these for processing of payment.
Purchasing agents and procurement buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Purchasing Agent | Procurement Buyer | |
| Average salary | $51,950 | $61,874 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $72,000 | Between $43,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Jose, CA | Stockton, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Washington |
| Best paying company | Abiomed | Invesco |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between a purchasing agent and a procurement buyer in terms of educational background:
| Purchasing Agent | Procurement Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between purchasing agents' and procurement buyers' demographics:
| Purchasing Agent | Procurement Buyer | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5% | Male, 45.6% Female, 54.4% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |