Subcontract administrator vs purchasing agent

The differences between subcontract administrators and purchasing agents 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 purchasing agent. Additionally, a subcontract administrator has an average salary of $65,686, which is higher than the $51,950 average annual salary of a purchasing agent.

The top three skills for a subcontract administrator include price analysis, purchase orders and program management. The most important skills for a purchasing agent are purchase orders, customer service, and logistics.

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing agent overview

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Yearly salary	$65,686	$51,950
Hourly rate	$31.58	$24.98
Growth rate	-6%	-
Number of jobs	51,285	45,856
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	6	6

What does a subcontract administrator do?

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.

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.

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing agent salary

Subcontract administrators and purchasing agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Average salary	$65,686	$51,950
Salary range	Between $42,000 And $102,000	Between $37,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	California	Maryland
Best paying company	Urban Institute	Abiomed
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between subcontract administrator and purchasing agent education

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

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing agent demographics

Here are the differences between subcontract administrators' and purchasing agents' demographics:

	Subcontract Administrator	Purchasing Agent
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3%	Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between subcontract administrator and purchasing agent duties and responsibilities

Subcontract administrator example responsibilities.

Coordinate requirements and interface with other division personnel to accomplish timely and cost effective procurement of assign commodities.
Create moderate to complex RFP solicitations and provide additional proposal support including pricing reviews and source selection support.
Administer IDIQ contracts with multiple task orders.
Assist with FFP hardware subcontract in support of NSA contracts.
Negotiate and coordinate additions, deletions, or modifications of DOD subcontracts.
Review and advice on matters of ITAR, FCPA, other Import/Export matters.

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.

Subcontract administrator vs purchasing agent skills

Common subcontract administrator skills

Price Analysis, 11%
Purchase Orders, 8%
Program Management, 5%
Bid Packages, 5%
Non-Disclosure Agreements, 5%
DOD, 4%

Common purchasing agent skills

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

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Subcontract Administrator
Subcontract Administrator vs Purchasing Agent

Updated January 8, 2025

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