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Inventory assistant vs inventory controller

The differences between inventory assistants and inventory controllers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory controller has an average salary of $36,911, which is higher than the $35,411 average annual salary of an inventory assistant.

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

Inventory assistant vs inventory controller overview

Inventory AssistantInventory Controller
Yearly salary$35,411$36,911
Hourly rate$17.02$17.75
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs68,253140,496
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
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 controller do?

An inventory controller is responsible for performing duties for the inventory department of an organization. Inventory controllers ensure the adequacy of the product and materials needed for daily operations. They maintain inventory reports, manage stock supplies, negotiate with third-party vendors for orders of quality products, monitor deliveries, verifying orders for shipment, handling the employee and customers' requests for supplies, and receiving orders efficiently. Inventory controllers keep receipts of all inventory transactions, as well as inspecting the quality of the inventory items, requiring them to have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.

Inventory assistant vs inventory controller salary

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

Inventory AssistantInventory Controller
Average salary$35,411$36,911
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $50,000Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAEverett, MA
Highest paying stateVermontMassachusetts
Best paying companyDana-Farber Cancer InstituteGeneral Dynamics Mission Systems
Best paying industryTransportationTechnology

Differences between inventory assistant and inventory controller education

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

Inventory AssistantInventory Controller
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 34%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory assistant vs inventory controller demographics

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

Inventory AssistantInventory Controller
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 54.8% Female, 45.2%Male, 59.4% Female, 40.6%
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, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory assistant and inventory controller 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 controller example responsibilities.

  • Manage, review, analyze, verify, and ship raw, stock, purchase, QA, and manufacture materials.
  • Operate and set up CNC machines.
  • Move and organize stock using RF scanner.
  • Fill out BOL / SLI paperwork for various shipping and freight companies.
  • Receive in all material for warehouse, CNC shop, and front office.
  • Help implement the WMS system in the warehouse, perform cycle counts and do yearly physical inventories.
  • Show more

Inventory assistant vs inventory controller 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 controller skills
  • Inventory Control, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%

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