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Inventory assistant vs receiving clerk

The differences between inventory assistants and receiving 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 $31,482 average annual salary of a receiving clerk.

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

Inventory assistant vs receiving clerk overview

Inventory AssistantReceiving Clerk
Yearly salary$35,411$31,482
Hourly rate$17.02$15.14
Growth rate1%-3%
Number of jobs68,253237,705
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%High School Diploma, 42%
Average age3843
Years of experience-12

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 a receiving clerk do?

Usually assigned at a warehouse or retail store, a receiving clerk's primary role is to accept product deliveries upon arrival and sign necessary documents, prioritizing the accuracy of all invoices. It is also the task of a receiving clerk to unload heavy packages, verify its contents, place it in the appropriate storage place, and keep records for inventory. They must process returns should it be necessary. There are also instances where a receiving clerk may have to engage with retailers and vendors, ensuring that all shipments arrive in time.

Inventory assistant vs receiving clerk salary

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

Inventory AssistantReceiving Clerk
Average salary$35,411$31,482
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $50,000Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateVermontNorth Dakota
Best paying companyDana-Farber Cancer InstituteLos Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industryTransportationTechnology

Differences between inventory assistant and receiving clerk education

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

Inventory AssistantReceiving Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory assistant vs receiving clerk demographics

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

Inventory AssistantReceiving Clerk
Average age3843
Gender ratioMale, 54.8% Female, 45.2%Male, 60.2% Female, 39.8%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.5% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory assistant and receiving 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

Receiving clerk example responsibilities.

  • Assist in the daily managing of fresh product using the FIFO accounting principal.
  • Master POS (point-of-sale) in order to process cash, check and credit transaction.
  • Scan and charge ticket quantities, pull parts, issue to shipping department and process daily UPS/ FedEx parts order shipments.
  • Communicate with patients, doctors, visitors, and other professionals via telephone, fax, written correspondence or in person.
  • Verify patients information via computer.
  • Prepare shipping containers using stencils and documentation sleeves.
  • Show more

Inventory assistant vs receiving 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 receiving clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Purchase Orders, 10%
  • Data Entry, 10%
  • Pallets, 8%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Inventory Control, 4%

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