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Inventory controller vs inventory control clerk

The differences between inventory controllers and inventory control clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory controller has an average salary of $36,911, which is higher than the $35,634 average annual salary of an inventory control clerk.

The top three skills for an inventory controller include inventory control, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for an inventory control clerk are inventory control, customer service, and data entry.

Inventory controller vs inventory control clerk overview

Inventory ControllerInventory Control Clerk
Yearly salary$36,911$35,634
Hourly rate$17.75$17.13
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs140,496254,804
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does an inventory controller do?

An inventory controller is responsible for performing duties for the inventory department of an organization. Inventory controllers ensure the adequacy of the product and materials needed for daily operations. They maintain inventory reports, manage stock supplies, negotiate with third-party vendors for orders of quality products, monitor deliveries, verifying orders for shipment, handling the employee and customers' requests for supplies, and receiving orders efficiently. Inventory controllers keep receipts of all inventory transactions, as well as inspecting the quality of the inventory items, requiring them to have excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills.

What does an inventory control clerk do?

An inventory control clerk is responsible for managing the stock inventory, recording incoming and outgoing deliveries, and inspecting proper labeling before moving the products to the storage areas. Inventory control clerks resolve inventory discrepancies, checking and reviewing product details and reports from the warehouse software database. They also monitor shipment details, confirm orders, and process payments. An inventory control clerk must have excellent knowledge of data processing since this job requires them to perform various administrative and clerical tasks as needed to ensure the smooth operations within the department.

Inventory controller vs inventory control clerk salary

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

Inventory ControllerInventory Control Clerk
Average salary$36,911$35,634
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $48,000Between $29,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityEverett, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsOregon
Best paying companyGeneral Dynamics Mission SystemsBD
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between inventory controller and inventory control clerk education

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

Inventory ControllerInventory Control Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory controller vs inventory control clerk demographics

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

Inventory ControllerInventory Control Clerk
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 59.4% Female, 40.6%Male, 49.6% Female, 50.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 6.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory controller and inventory control clerk duties and responsibilities

Inventory controller example responsibilities.

  • Manage, review, analyze, verify, and ship raw, stock, purchase, QA, and manufacture materials.
  • Operate and set up CNC machines.
  • Move and organize stock using RF scanner.
  • Fill out BOL / SLI paperwork for various shipping and freight companies.
  • Receive in all material for warehouse, CNC shop, and front office.
  • Help implement the WMS system in the warehouse, perform cycle counts and do yearly physical inventories.
  • Show more

Inventory control clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage, review, analyze, verify, and ship raw, stock, purchase, QA, and manufacture materials.
  • Manage incoming delivery of all FedEx and containers containing serviceable material.
  • Handle payroll through ADP, as well as benefits and orientation.
  • Rout all interoffice mail, schedule daily FEDEX deliveries, maintain all offices supplies
  • Use WMS to research product, part number, shipping, bin and adjustment history to find error.
  • Verify tracking numbers, trailer numbers, carrier, and vendor on bills of lading to WMS worksheets.
  • Show more

Inventory controller vs inventory control clerk skills

Common inventory controller skills
  • Inventory Control, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
Common inventory control clerk skills
  • Inventory Control, 18%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Math, 7%
  • Management System, 5%
  • Forklift Training, 5%

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