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The differences between cycle counters and inventory clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a cycle counter has an average salary of $33,083, which is higher than the $32,666 average annual salary of an inventory clerk.
The top three skills for a cycle counter include math, inventory control and pallets. The most important skills for an inventory clerk are customer service, data entry, and inventory control.
| Cycle Counter | Inventory Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $33,083 | $32,666 |
| Hourly rate | $15.91 | $15.70 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 10,713 | 204,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A cycle counter is responsible for counting and monitoring product inventories at a warehouse to ensure materials align with the declared lists and documents. Besides their cycle counting responsibilities, they are also in charge of conducting reviews and assessments, utilizing special software to evaluate product inventories, measuring and weighing products, maintaining records, opening and re-packaging shipments, organizing products according to protocols, locating lost goods, and reporting inconsistent or damaged goods. Moreover, a cycle counter may also develop and recommend strategies to enhance inventory procedures, provide assistance to staff, and participate in maintaining work areas clean.
Inventory clerks or inventory control clerks manage and maintain all inventory coming in and out. They ensure that the items are stored and stocked in their proper places. They have to train less experienced clerks as well as prepare balance and shortage reports. They also need to report any stock issues, place orders when necessary, prepare a list of lacking products, and take note of unusable items. A good inventory clerk must be detail-oriented, organized, and have relevant experience in inventory control.
Cycle counters and inventory clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Cycle Counter | Inventory Clerk | |
| Average salary | $33,083 | $32,666 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $40,000 | Between $26,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tracy, CA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Oregon |
| Best paying company | BD | BD |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Technology |
There are a few differences between a cycle counter and an inventory clerk in terms of educational background:
| Cycle Counter | Inventory Clerk | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between cycle counters' and inventory clerks' demographics:
| Cycle Counter | Inventory Clerk | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.7% Female, 41.3% | Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |