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Inventory assistant vs inventory clerk

The differences between inventory assistants and inventory clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory assistant has an average salary of $35,411, which is higher than the $32,666 average annual salary of an inventory clerk.

The top three skills for an inventory assistant include customer service, cycle counts and physical inventory. The most important skills for an inventory clerk are customer service, data entry, and inventory control.

Inventory assistant vs inventory clerk overview

Inventory AssistantInventory Clerk
Yearly salary$35,411$32,666
Hourly rate$17.02$15.70
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs68,253204,051
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%High School Diploma, 38%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does an inventory assistant do?

Inventory auditors are responsible for creating and monitoring inventory reports and for recording various products and stock. Often, an inventory auditor works full-time hours in a warehouse, delivery company, business establishment, or mall. Their job includes traveling to different locations, and they may work with multiple industries. They count an item's quantity and compare the inventory record to physical inventory to ensure there is no missing product.

What does an inventory clerk do?

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.

Inventory assistant vs inventory clerk salary

Inventory assistants and inventory clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inventory AssistantInventory Clerk
Average salary$35,411$32,666
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $50,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAPortland, OR
Highest paying stateVermontOregon
Best paying companyDana-Farber Cancer InstituteBD
Best paying industryTransportationTechnology

Differences between inventory assistant and inventory clerk education

There are a few differences between an inventory assistant and an inventory clerk in terms of educational background:

Inventory AssistantInventory Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory assistant vs inventory clerk demographics

Here are the differences between inventory assistants' and inventory clerks' demographics:

Inventory AssistantInventory Clerk
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 54.8% Female, 45.2%Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.7% Asian, 6.9% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%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 Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory assistant and inventory clerk duties and responsibilities

Inventory assistant example responsibilities.

  • Perform research and data analysis to monitor inventory movement, logistics metrics, and identify and lead process improvement initiatives.
  • Perform scans of merchandise using an RGIS handheld computer to complete inventory audits on retail establishments

Inventory clerk example responsibilities.

  • Use ERP system on a daily basis to accurately move and manage finish goods throughout the plant into inventory.
  • Manage incoming delivery of all FedEx and containers containing serviceable material.
  • Receive in POs and transfers.
  • Maintain complete update purchasing records/data and pricing in the system POS.
  • Reconcile receipts from travel expenses, material and employee payday loan log to AS400 reports.
  • Key in and verify invoices using the AS400 system coming from various shops and terminals worldwide.
  • Show more

Inventory assistant vs inventory clerk skills

Common inventory assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Cycle Counts, 14%
  • Physical Inventory, 10%
  • Inventory Control, 6%
  • Data Entry, 5%
  • Inventory Process, 5%
Common inventory clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Inventory Control, 9%
  • Purchase Orders, 8%
  • Cycle Counts, 6%
  • Shipping Receiving, 5%

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