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Inventory control technician vs inventory associate

The differences between inventory control technicians and inventory associates 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 $30,067 average annual salary of an inventory associate.

The top three skills for an inventory control technician include purchase orders, cycle counts and data entry. The most important skills for an inventory associate are ladders, strong work ethic, and work ethic.

Inventory control technician vs inventory associate overview

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Associate
Yearly salary$37,041$30,067
Hourly rate$17.81$14.46
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs66,559184,462
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 42%
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 an inventory associate do?

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 technician vs inventory associate salary

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

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Associate
Average salary$37,041$30,067
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $24,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City-Seattle, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Phillips 66
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between inventory control technician and inventory associate education

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

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Associate
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory control technician vs inventory associate demographics

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

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Associate
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 71.7% Female, 28.3%Male, 59.5% Female, 40.5%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 7.1% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory control technician and inventory associate 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.

Inventory associate example responsibilities.

  • Manage the ordering of shipping supplies through FedEx's web ordering system.
  • Train any associate interest in POS system in order to help them achieve their goals.
  • Count products in warehouse; preform quality checks on packages being ship out; operate RF gun; update computer system
  • Research product (WMS) system to conduct quality control locations.
  • Clean store, bag groceries, and assist customers with general needs.
  • Assist customers with bagging groceries and assisting them with lifting and carrying groceries.
  • Show more

Inventory control technician vs inventory associate 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 inventory associate skills
  • Ladders, 31%
  • Strong Work Ethic, 27%
  • Work Ethic, 27%
  • WIS, 3%
  • Inventory Counts, 3%
  • Customer Service, 2%

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