Post job

What is a document control specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

Document control specialists ensure that their organization's forms are created according to legal and company regulations. They process and analyze critical documents like requests for information (RFI), archive documents, and even review incoming papers.

Document control specialists may also be required to create digital copies of various forms and documents for archives. The job tends to be repetitive because it involves continually checking documents for specific parents.

A day in the life of a document control specialist may involve organizing, scanning, and archiving documents. They may also retrieve records from the archives and create copies as needed. Some document control specialists may train staff on proper documentation procedures. In specific situations, these professionals also assist with file migrations and administrative tasks.

To become a document control specialist, you need a minimum of a high school diploma. However, some employers favor applicants with an associate's degree when filling this role. You also need skills like organization, prioritization, and multitasking.

ScoreDocument Control SpecialistUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $43,093

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.8

Growth rate -8%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 73.85%

male 26.15%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Document control specialist career paths

Key steps to become a document control specialist

  1. Explore document control specialist education requirements

    Most common document control specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    48.8 %

    Associate

    27.6 %

    High School Diploma

    11.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific document control specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    SharePoint7.14%
    Customer Service6.98%
    ISO6.91%
    FDA6.36%
    Computer Database6.29%
  3. Complete relevant document control specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New document control specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a document control specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real document control specialist resumes.
  4. Gain additional document control specialist certifications

    Document control specialist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific document control specialist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for document control specialists include Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Incident Safety Officer - Fire Suppression Certification (ISO).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research document control specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Lead cross-functional team in defining product lifecycle stages and corresponding PDM process for each lifecycle stage.
    • Design and manage the system maintenance plan, and upgrade schedule, for the OnBase environment (ECM).
    • Manage the engineering change order process, including distribution, ECO processing, ERP maintenance, and running the ECO meetings.
    • Manage daily ECN activity/implementation priority.
  6. Prepare your document control specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your document control specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a document control specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable document control specialist resume templates

    Build a professional document control specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your document control specialist resume.
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
    Document Control Specialist Resume
  7. Apply for document control specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a document control specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first document control specialist job

Zippi

Are you a document control specialist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average document control specialist salary

The average document control specialist salary in the United States is $43,093 per year or $21 per hour. Document control specialist salaries range between $29,000 and $63,000 per year.

Average document control specialist salary
$43,093 Yearly
$20.72 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do document control specialists rate their job?

3/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Document control specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Expressing and detailing the facts about a defect or incident is challenging. I had to use all senses to arrive at a factual conclusion. It is satisfying and rewarding when you arrive at the truth and root of the matter.

Cons

Deception and non cooperation throws a wrench into you efforts.


profile
3.0
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

The position lets me use my skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. My original training was as a newspaper copy-editor, a "dying" field. Document Control in biotech gave me the opportunity to use those skills in a field which is growing and which pays better.

Cons

Biotech field is volatile. Most other departments have high changeover in personnel. Frequent changes in policy / expectations due to changes in management and ownership. The company I work for has been bought and sold twice to larger companies in my fifteen years here.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

You get bits of information about many fields and across departments

Cons

There is no room for careless mistakes


Working as a document control specialist? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs