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Inventory control technician vs distribution technician

The differences between inventory control technicians and distribution technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory control technician has an average salary of $37,041, which is higher than the $33,564 average annual salary of a distribution technician.

The top three skills for an inventory control technician include purchase orders, cycle counts and data entry. The most important skills for a distribution technician are patients, computer system, and data entry.

Inventory control technician vs distribution technician overview

Inventory Control TechnicianDistribution Technician
Yearly salary$37,041$33,564
Hourly rate$17.81$16.14
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs66,559154,925
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does an inventory control technician do?

An Inventory Control Technician oversees the storage conditions of products at warehouses, ensuring quality and efficiency. They typically set inventory control guidelines, conduct inventory inspections and assessments, gather and analyze data to develop solutions and action plans against issues, recommend storage and maintenance practices, review documentation, maintain records of transactions, and create strategies to optimize overall operations. Inventory Control Technicians lead and encourage staff to reach their goals while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a distribution technician do?

A distribution technician has a variety of duties and responsibilities, including collecting and delivering materials, receiving documents, packages, and messages, and transporting them safely to their destination. Other tasks that you will likely perform include managing the inventory and completing data entry, preparing documentation and reports, and coordinating logistics for the shipment of products. Additional duties include providing quality service to customers and distributors, resolving inventory discrepancies, and collecting and updating customer information. You may also be tasked to conduct field and laboratory testing of construction materials.

Inventory control technician vs distribution technician salary

Inventory control technicians and distribution technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Inventory Control TechnicianDistribution Technician
Average salary$37,041$33,564
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City-Vallejo, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Brigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industry-Utilities

Differences between inventory control technician and distribution technician education

There are a few differences between an inventory control technician and a distribution technician in terms of educational background:

Inventory Control TechnicianDistribution Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory control technician vs distribution technician demographics

Here are the differences between inventory control technicians' and distribution technicians' demographics:

Inventory Control TechnicianDistribution Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 71.7% Female, 28.3%Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory control technician and distribution technician duties and responsibilities

Inventory control technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage, review, analyze, verify, and ship raw, stock, purchase, QA, and manufacture materials.
  • Repair and troubleshoot equipment, work safely, good intrapersonal skills
  • Control, disperse and troubleshoot parts and equipment for field technicians daily.
  • Communicate inventory information with inter-officials.
  • Communicate inventory information with inter-officials.

Distribution technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage all aspects of verifying incoming items and outgoing customer material release orders (MRO )
  • Manage and monitor KPI's, departmental metrics and ensure all checks and balances are in place.
  • Purchase raw materials in order to support manufacturing per MRP requirements.
  • Ensure office are neat, orderly and secure to meet FDA standards.
  • Utilize troubleshooting and problem-solving skills resolving conflicts/issues in item master and BOM data.
  • Load and unload trailers using RF scanner to ensure order/weight distribution accurate to customer order.
  • Show more

Inventory control technician vs distribution technician skills

Common inventory control technician skills
  • Purchase Orders, 21%
  • Cycle Counts, 18%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Computer System, 5%
  • Inventory Control Procedures, 4%
  • Inventory Management, 4%
Common distribution technician skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Equipment, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Basic Math, 4%

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