How To Become An Inventory Control Associate: What It Is and Career Path

What is an inventory control associate and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Inventory control associates are the behind-the-scenes workers who make up one of the largest driving forces behind the retail sales, import, and export sectors. Above all, inventory control associates are data trackers--with that data being physical inventory. Regardless of whether they're working in the backroom of a clothing store or the warehouse of a giant shipping facility, the primary duty of inventory associates is the same: to count and record inventory.

In the interest of helping their employer to reduce waste, cut down on unnecessary expenditures, and maintain a steady supply of goods, inventory associates must accurately count and record each item in the inventory. They typically work in either warehouses or stores and report to a higher-level staff member such as a warehouse lead or store manager. If they wish to move up the corporate ladder, inventory control associates can use their skills and experience to become inventory specialists or inventory managers.

According to data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks, which includes inventory associates, is $30,450.

ScoreInventory Control AssociateUS Average

Salary

2.9

Avg. Salary $37,541

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.6

Growth rate 1%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.04%

Asian 6.96%

Black or African American 10.93%

Hispanic or Latino 18.75%

Unknown 5.77%

White 56.55%

Gender

female 39.53%

male 60.47%

Age - 35

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 - 35

Stress level

4.6

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.6

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

7.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an inventory control associate

Explore inventory control associate education requirements

Most common inventory control associate degrees

Bachelor's

41.5 %

High School Diploma

24.9 %

Associate

20.6 %

Start to develop specific inventory control associate skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	21.40%
Inventory Control	14.95%
Sales Floor	9.91%
Cycle Counts	7.41%
Pallets	4.17%

Research inventory control associate duties and responsibilities

Utilize RF system to manage warehouse shipments, reviewing shipments for shortages and overages within the dry goods warehouse.
Participate in material management meetings, offering information on processing of depot support manage items.
Issue RMA's using computer program and receive RMA goods.
Maintain logistics schedule with trucking companies, customers, and other vendors.

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