Purchasing agent vs purchasing assistant

The differences between purchasing agents and purchasing assistants 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 purchasing assistant. Additionally, a purchasing agent has an average salary of $51,950, which is higher than the $38,331 average annual salary of a purchasing assistant.

The top three skills for a purchasing agent include purchase orders, customer service and logistics. The most important skills for a purchasing assistant are purchase orders, purchase requisitions, and customer service.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing assistant overview

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Assistant
Yearly salary	$51,950	$38,331
Hourly rate	$24.98	$18.43
Growth rate	-	-8%
Number of jobs	45,856	8,415
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

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.

What does a purchasing assistant do?

A purchasing assistant is responsible for obtaining raw materials and goods for a business or company. They primarily function to assist purchasing managers or supervisors by keeping records, maintaining inventory, reviewing purchase orders, and monitoring shipments and deliveries. Furthermore, a purchasing assistant may perform administrative support tasks ranging from arranging appointments and managing schedules, answering calls and inquiries, reaching out to vendors and suppliers, producing reports, and coordinating with various departments to ensure the smooth flow of products within the company.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing assistant salary

Purchasing agents and purchasing assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Assistant
Average salary	$51,950	$38,331
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $72,000	Between $31,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Baltimore, MD
Highest paying state	Maryland	Maryland
Best paying company	Abiomed	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between purchasing agent and purchasing assistant education

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

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Assistant
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Purchasing agent vs purchasing assistant demographics

Here are the differences between purchasing agents' and purchasing assistants' demographics:

	Purchasing Agent	Purchasing Assistant
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%	Male, 22.8% Female, 77.2%
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, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 65.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between purchasing agent and purchasing assistant duties and responsibilities

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.

Purchasing assistant example responsibilities.

Manage RFP process and play a key role in minimizing the cost of printing.
Schedule and manage new product trials, liaise with vendors, surgeons and specialty coordinators.
Manage activities of purchasing, production planning and scheduling, inventory management, warehousing and logistics.
Master point of service (POS) computer system for automate order taking.
Input of purchase orders into ERP system, order acknowledgments, follow-up, and expedition of orders.
Prepare purchase orders using MRP, inspect incoming shipments for quality, and attend press checks for production approval.

Purchasing agent vs purchasing assistant skills

Common purchasing agent skills

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

Common purchasing assistant skills

Purchase Orders, 30%
Purchase Requisitions, 18%
Customer Service, 11%
Data Entry, 8%
Logistics, 3%
POS, 2%

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Business and Financial Industry
Purchasing Agent
Purchasing Agent vs Purchasing Assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

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