Post job

Inventory controller vs warehouse worker

The differences between inventory controllers and warehouse workers 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 $33,010 average annual salary of a warehouse worker.

The top three skills for an inventory controller include inventory control, customer service and data entry. The most important skills for a warehouse worker are pallets, customer service, and basic math.

Inventory controller vs warehouse worker overview

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Worker
Yearly salary$36,911$33,010
Hourly rate$17.75$15.87
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs140,496255,502
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 59%
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 worker do?

Warehouse workers are employees assigned to handle tasks inside the company's warehouse. They are in charge of managing the entry and exit of goods inside the warehouse, ensure that the inventory is up-to-date, and check the quality of the goods that are stored. Warehouse workers receive the items that are delivered to the warehouse, ensure that the items are complete using the delivery list, and keep the items safe in the designated area in the warehouse. They also clear any items that will exit the warehouse by ensuring that only the items that are on the list will be removed from the warehouse, and checking if these items are safely packed before leaving.

Inventory controller vs warehouse worker salary

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

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Worker
Average salary$36,911$33,010
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $48,000Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityEverett, MAIndianapolis, IN
Highest paying stateMassachusettsIndiana
Best paying companyGeneral Dynamics Mission SystemsUnited Natural Foods
Best paying industryTechnologyManufacturing

Differences between inventory controller and warehouse worker education

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

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%High School Diploma, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Inventory controller vs warehouse worker demographics

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

Inventory ControllerWarehouse Worker
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 59.4% Female, 40.6%Male, 78.3% Female, 21.7%
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, 20.4% Asian, 6.3% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between inventory controller and warehouse worker 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 worker example responsibilities.

  • Ensure cleanliness and functionality of warehouse equipment on a regular basis.
  • Drive CDL box trucks and vans.
  • Experience in WMS, AS400, and RF technologies.
  • Load and unload metal plumbing, heating and HVAC inventory from semi-trucks.
  • Set up equipment and instructs patients on the basis use of equipment.
  • Perform job duties such as full-case, repack, replenishment, and recycling.
  • Show more

Inventory controller vs warehouse worker skills

Common inventory controller skills
  • Inventory Control, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Math, 5%
  • Basic Math, 5%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
Common warehouse worker skills
  • Pallets, 14%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Electric Pallet Jack, 6%
  • Customer Orders, 6%
  • Math, 5%

Browse office and administrative jobs