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The differences between inventory managers and transportation managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become an inventory manager, becoming a transportation manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a transportation manager has an average salary of $77,378, which is higher than the $62,768 average annual salary of an inventory manager.
The top three skills for an inventory manager include PET, direct reports and customer service. The most important skills for a transportation manager are customer service, DOT, and supply chain.
| Inventory Manager | Transportation Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $62,768 | $77,378 |
| Hourly rate | $30.18 | $37.20 |
| Growth rate | -6% | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 30,717 | 25,248 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
An inventory manager is responsible for supervising the overall inventory operations, monitoring supplies and materials, and checking the accuracy of data reports from the inventory associates. Inventory managers' duties include validating stock levels using record software tools, determining the availability of stocks for purchase orders, inspecting the incoming and outgoing shipments, and addressing product concerns by communicating with suppliers and third-party vendors. An inventory manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the staff's performance and manage customers' inquiries and complaints.
A transportation manager is an individual who is responsible for directing and managing tasks that involves all the transportation activities within the organization. Transportation managers must ensure that goods and passengers have reached their destination safely by inspecting and providing maintenance to the organization's vehicles. During the hiring process, transportation managers must make sure that drivers and operators have the correct and up to date qualifications. They must also avoid passenger overload and should keep accurate records of passengers and goods that are being transported.
Inventory managers and transportation managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Manager | Transportation Manager | |
| Average salary | $62,768 | $77,378 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $91,000 | Between $53,000 And $111,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Newark, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Virginia |
| Best paying company | NVIDIA | Accenture |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an inventory manager and a transportation manager in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Manager | Transportation Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between inventory managers' and transportation managers' demographics:
| Inventory Manager | Transportation Manager | |
| Average age | 47 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6% | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 8.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 5% |