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Strategist vs planner

The differences between strategists and planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a strategist, becoming a planner takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a strategist has an average salary of $104,881, which is higher than the $63,161 average annual salary of a planner.

The top three skills for a strategist include project management, customer satisfaction and powerpoint. The most important skills for a planner are customer service, exceptional client, and logistics.

Strategist vs planner overview

StrategistPlanner
Yearly salary$104,881$63,161
Hourly rate$50.42$30.37
Growth rate10%4%
Number of jobs44,59615,269
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3942
Years of experience102

What does a strategist do?

The job of the strategist involves the development and implementation of a strategy. Generally, strategists set goals, identify actions to achieve the objectives, and mobilize resources for the actions. They make functional strategies for businesses and profit improvement. They are considered as the thinkers who develop the course of a project of the business program. The skills necessary for this job include critical thinking, management skills, attention to detail, and leadership skill. They should be equipped with knowledge about business and management.

What does a planner do?

As the name entails, planners assist in creating a broad vision for a community. They conduct research, design, and advanced programs. Some of them focus on a few roles, such as planning transportation, while some will most likely work at different planning types throughout their profession. They develop a plan through data analysis, determine the project's goals or the community, and form a specific vision. They also identify the strategies to help the city realized its goals and vision.

Strategist vs planner salary

Strategists and planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

StrategistPlanner
Average salary$104,881$63,161
Salary rangeBetween $62,000 And $176,000Between $45,000 And $88,000
Highest paying CityHartford, CTSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyThe CitadelMeta
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between strategist and planner education

There are a few differences between a strategist and a planner in terms of educational background:

StrategistPlanner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Strategist vs planner demographics

Here are the differences between strategists' and planners' demographics:

StrategistPlanner
Average age3942
Gender ratioMale, 54.5% Female, 45.5%Male, 54.4% Female, 45.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 9.6% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage10%13%

Differences between strategist and planner duties and responsibilities

Strategist example responsibilities.

  • Manage change requests using CMS for corporate website.
  • Experience in managing online affiliate programs for e-commerce sites.
  • Plan Instagram launch, manage posts, and tracking success on the account.
  • Manage HubSpot activities, including blogs, email marketing, landing pages and CRM maintenance.
  • Lead the team to develop the company's only OEM product for the security/surveillance market.
  • Manage all top line donation form fundraising strategy including design, copy, naming conventions, redirects and A/B testing.
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Planner example responsibilities.

  • Develop and managing the database for CDBG applicants.
  • Key role in managing and planning projects from sketch to approve plans.
  • Manage creation of replenishment loads (purchase or DRP) that are optimize to minimize logistical costs.
  • Assist with forecasting machines, accessories, and coffee with various departments in order to achieve monthly KPI's.
  • Develop and manage all types of inventory from finish goods, WIP (work in process) to raw material.
  • Manage RFQ process - gather quotations, examine bids with engineering and management, negotiate prices with suppliers and make awards.
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Strategist vs planner skills

Common strategist skills
  • Project Management, 12%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 9%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • Portfolio, 6%
  • Digital Marketing, 5%
  • Client Facing, 4%
Common planner skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Exceptional Client, 8%
  • Logistics, 8%
  • Project Management, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 4%
  • Strong Analytical, 4%

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