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Inventory controller vs warehouse clerk

The differences between inventory controllers and warehouse 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 $31,564 average annual salary of a warehouse clerk.

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

Inventory controller vs warehouse clerk overview

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Clerk
Yearly salary$36,911$31,564
Hourly rate$17.75$15.18
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs140,496235,973
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 47%
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 a warehouse clerk do?

A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.

Inventory controller vs warehouse clerk salary

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

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Clerk
Average salary$36,911$31,564
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $48,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityEverett, MASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsHawaii
Best paying companyGeneral Dynamics Mission SystemsThermo Fisher Scientific
Best paying industryTechnologyTransportation

Differences between inventory controller and warehouse clerk education

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

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory controller vs warehouse clerk demographics

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

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Clerk
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 59.4% Female, 40.6%Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 26.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory controller and warehouse 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

Warehouse clerk example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage shipping for complete pallets to different work sites internationally.
  • Check the MRP system for shortages on release work orders or sales orders and issue as required.
  • Update training and work instructions pursuant to ISO guidelines.
  • Have used various MRP systems for inventory with superior knowledge.
  • Train and certify in the use of ESD equipment and practices.
  • Process all BOL via SAP/TWMS for external, rail and barge shipments.
  • Show more

Inventory controller vs warehouse clerk skills

Common inventory controller skills
  • Inventory Control, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
Common warehouse clerk skills
  • Work Ethic, 19%
  • Data Entry, 15%
  • Logistics, 13%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Pallets, 4%
  • Patients, 4%

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