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The differences between supply chain analysts and purchasers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a supply chain analyst and a purchaser. Additionally, a supply chain analyst has an average salary of $67,450, which is higher than the $50,031 average annual salary of a purchaser.
The top three skills for a supply chain analyst include supply chain, logistics and customer service. The most important skills for a purchaser are purchase orders, FDA, and POS.
| Supply Chain Analyst | Purchaser | |
| Yearly salary | $67,450 | $50,031 |
| Hourly rate | $32.43 | $24.05 |
| Growth rate | 28% | - |
| Number of jobs | 37,979 | 6,852 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
A Purchaser is responsible for buying goods and services from distribution centers to sell to customers or other companies. They conduct data analysis and research current market trends to identify public demands and generate resources that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. They also ensure the adequacy of supply inventories for deliveries, respond to customers' inquiries and concerns, and recommend products according to their needs and budget requirements. A Purchaser must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in documenting purchase transactions and negotiating contracts with suppliers and vendors.
Supply chain analysts and purchasers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Supply Chain Analyst | Purchaser | |
| Average salary | $67,450 | $50,031 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $90,000 | Between $36,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | Arlington, VA | Atlantic City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Meta | Barnes Group |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a supply chain analyst and a purchaser in terms of educational background:
| Supply Chain Analyst | Purchaser | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between supply chain analysts' and purchasers' demographics:
| Supply Chain Analyst | Purchaser | |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.3% Female, 40.7% | Male, 49.2% Female, 50.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 66.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |