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The differences between senior buyers and supply chain 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 senior buyer and a supply chain analyst. Additionally, a senior buyer has an average salary of $79,848, which is higher than the $67,450 average annual salary of a supply chain analyst.
The top three skills for a senior buyer include supply chain, purchase orders and MRP. The most important skills for a supply chain analyst are supply chain, logistics, and customer service.
| Senior Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $79,848 | $67,450 |
| Hourly rate | $38.39 | $32.43 |
| Growth rate | - | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 27,412 | 37,979 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
The job of senior buyers, or also known as purchasing agents, is to meet the material needs of an organization. They are responsible for finding suppliers, arranging the distribution to several retail outlets, and supervising other purchasing agents. They also look for new product streams and establish procurement strategies. Senior buyers typically begin their careers as assistant buyers or junior purchasing agents. Most employers usually prefer those with college degrees in marketing, business, and economics.
A supply chain analyst is responsible for handling the supply chain operations of an organization, aligning processes, and identifying areas of improvement to initiate procedures and create smooth supply delivery transactions. Supply chain analysts monitor the adequacy of stock inventory, including the trends in the market industry, to meet the public demands and ensuring that the business provides those interests. They also evaluate the supply cycle, from the planning stages to the final distribution, and analyzing aspects to minimize complexities and cost-reduction without compromising the quality of services.
Senior buyers and supply chain analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Average salary | $79,848 | $67,450 |
| Salary range | Between $56,000 And $112,000 | Between $50,000 And $90,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Arlington, VA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Capgemini | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a senior buyer and a supply chain analyst in terms of educational background:
| Senior Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between senior buyers' and supply chain analysts' demographics:
| Senior Buyer | Supply Chain Analyst | |
| Average age | 48 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3% | Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 11.4% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 9% |