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The differences between subcontract administrators and planner/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 subcontract administrator and a planner/buyer. Additionally, a subcontract administrator has an average salary of $65,686, which is higher than the $54,261 average annual salary of a planner/buyer.
The top three skills for a subcontract administrator include price analysis, purchase orders and program management. The most important skills for a planner/buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and customer service.
| Subcontract Administrator | Planner/Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $65,686 | $54,261 |
| Hourly rate | $31.58 | $26.09 |
| Growth rate | -6% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 51,285 | 33,452 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
The role of buyers/planners is to ensure that office materials and equipment are well-supplied within their organization. They decide and purchase the materials needed for use or resale by their organization. They are responsible for evaluating prospective suppliers based on their cost, product quality, and delivery times. They are also the ones who negotiate contracts specifying the payment terms, price, and delivery schedules. Most employers prefer their buyer to have earned a bachelor's degree with a major in operations management or business management.
Subcontract administrators and planner/buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Subcontract Administrator | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average salary | $65,686 | $54,261 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $102,000 | Between $37,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Urban Institute | Edwards Lifesciences |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a subcontract administrator and a planner/buyer in terms of educational background:
| Subcontract Administrator | Planner/Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between subcontract administrators' and planner/buyers' demographics:
| Subcontract Administrator | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% | Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |