Post job

Inventory control technician vs inventory clerk

The differences between inventory control technicians and inventory clerks 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 $32,666 average annual salary of an inventory clerk.

The top three skills for an inventory control technician include purchase orders, cycle counts and data entry. The most important skills for an inventory clerk are customer service, data entry, and inventory control.

Inventory control technician vs inventory clerk overview

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Clerk
Yearly salary$37,041$32,666
Hourly rate$17.81$15.70
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs66,559204,051
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 38%
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 clerk do?

Inventory clerks or inventory control clerks manage and maintain all inventory coming in and out. They ensure that the items are stored and stocked in their proper places. They have to train less experienced clerks as well as prepare balance and shortage reports. They also need to report any stock issues, place orders when necessary, prepare a list of lacking products, and take note of unusable items. A good inventory clerk must be detail-oriented, organized, and have relevant experience in inventory control.

Inventory control technician vs inventory clerk salary

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

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Clerk
Average salary$37,041$32,666
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City-Portland, OR
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-BD
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between inventory control technician and inventory clerk education

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

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 37%High School Diploma, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory control technician vs inventory clerk demographics

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

Inventory Control TechnicianInventory Clerk
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 71.7% Female, 28.3%Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6%
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, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory control technician and inventory clerk 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 clerk example responsibilities.

  • Use ERP system on a daily basis to accurately move and manage finish goods throughout the plant into inventory.
  • Manage incoming delivery of all FedEx and containers containing serviceable material.
  • Receive in POs and transfers.
  • Maintain complete update purchasing records/data and pricing in the system POS.
  • Reconcile receipts from travel expenses, material and employee payday loan log to AS400 reports.
  • Key in and verify invoices using the AS400 system coming from various shops and terminals worldwide.
  • Show more

Inventory control technician vs inventory clerk 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 clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Data Entry, 11%
  • Inventory Control, 9%
  • Purchase Orders, 8%
  • Cycle Counts, 6%
  • Shipping Receiving, 5%

Browse office and administrative jobs