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The differences between subcontract administrators and senior 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 senior buyer. Additionally, a senior buyer has an average salary of $79,848, which is higher than the $65,686 average annual salary of a subcontract administrator.
The top three skills for a subcontract administrator include price analysis, purchase orders and program management. The most important skills for a senior buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and MRP.
| Subcontract Administrator | Senior Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $65,686 | $79,848 |
| Hourly rate | $31.58 | $38.39 |
| Growth rate | -6% | - |
| Number of jobs | 51,285 | 27,412 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| 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 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.
Subcontract administrators and senior buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Subcontract Administrator | Senior Buyer | |
| Average salary | $65,686 | $79,848 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $102,000 | Between $56,000 And $112,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Urban Institute | Capgemini |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a subcontract administrator and a senior buyer in terms of educational background:
| Subcontract Administrator | Senior Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between subcontract administrators' and senior buyers' demographics:
| Subcontract Administrator | Senior Buyer | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% | Male, 57.7% Female, 42.3% |
| 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, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |