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The differences between inventory control specialists and inventory associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory control specialist has an average salary of $34,507, which is higher than the $30,067 average annual salary of an inventory associate.
The top three skills for an inventory control specialist include customer service, inventory control procedures and work ethic. The most important skills for an inventory associate are ladders, strong work ethic, and work ethic.
| Inventory Control Specialist | Inventory Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $34,507 | $30,067 |
| Hourly rate | $16.59 | $14.46 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 107,710 | 184,462 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Inventory control specialist ensures company inventory is accurate in all levels to increase the company's profitability. The specialist should maintain stable stocks and should manage the procurement of inventories. He/She or she is responsible for managing the flow of inventory in and out together with the shipment, package, and the storage activities then record them accurately for audits and reporting to the management. Specialists are often employed by various industries. They usually work in warehouses or in local retail locations.
An inventory associate is responsible for monitoring inventory supplies, ensuring that the supplies are adequate for customers' orders and business' needs. Inventory associates manage order sheets and record inventory reports, check items for possible defects, prepare merchandise for shipment, inspect delivered inventory supplies and return damaged items, organize shelves, and operate basic warehouse equipment. An inventory associate must have strong analytical and data entry skills to input inventory records in the system efficiently and accurately.
Inventory control specialists and inventory associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Control Specialist | Inventory Associate | |
| Average salary | $34,507 | $30,067 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $51,000 | Between $24,000 And $37,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Phillips 66 |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between an inventory control specialist and an inventory associate in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Control Specialist | Inventory Associate | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 31% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between inventory control specialists' and inventory associates' demographics:
| Inventory Control Specialist | Inventory Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% | Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |