Inventory planner vs production clerk

The differences between inventory planners and production clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an inventory planner and a production clerk. Additionally, an inventory planner has an average salary of $65,504, which is higher than the $32,281 average annual salary of a production clerk.

The top three skills for an inventory planner include supply chain, purchase orders and logistics. The most important skills for a production clerk are basic math, data entry, and safety procedures.

Inventory planner vs production clerk overview

	Inventory Planner	Production Clerk
Yearly salary	$65,504	$32,281
Hourly rate	$31.49	$15.52
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	37,034	241,271
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does an inventory planner do?

An inventory planner is an individual who is responsible for creating effective inventory plans and strategies to maximize profitability for an organization. Inventory planners are required to produce documents that detail the quantity specifications of the organization's product or equipment. They must maintain their files updated about the inventory by recording them into the organization's databases to avoid possible discrepancies. Inventory planners must also predict future inventory needs and producing plans for buying based on forecasts and sales data.

What does a production clerk do?

Production clerks are involved with parts, warehousing, and inventory management operations. Those who choose this career path will be required to review and distribute production, work, and shipment schedules, as well as confer with department supervisors in order to determine the progress of work and completion dates. Production clerks also compile reports on things like work progress, inventory levels, cost, and production issues.

Inventory planner vs production clerk salary

Inventory planners and production clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Inventory Planner	Production Clerk
Average salary	$65,504	$32,281
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $93,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	San Bruno, CA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	California	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Entegris	Rich Products
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between inventory planner and production clerk education

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

	Inventory Planner	Production Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 74%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Inventory planner vs production clerk demographics

Here are the differences between inventory planners' and production clerks' demographics:

	Inventory Planner	Production Clerk
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0%	Male, 31.8% Female, 68.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 7.1% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between inventory planner and production clerk duties and responsibilities

Inventory planner example responsibilities.

Develop process to manage import orders to manage time and inventory more effectively JDA E3 certify.
Participate in SIOP meeting and coordinate with all function teams and regional/global team to achieve corporate KPI.
Develop and implement purchasing and contract management, policies and procedures and manage ISO documents and improvements.
Review stock levels, imbalances and data integrity in JDA to ensure the supply plan is generating accurate information.
Handle complex monthly reconciliations and daily/weekly journal entries to ensure AR balance accuracy.
Facilitate communication channels between the sales groups and corporate logistics to drive improve demand forecast.

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Production clerk example responsibilities.

Flight line expediter ensures maintenance accomplishment and sortie production by managing, controlling and directing allocate resources and personnel.
Clean windows, glass partitions, and mirrors with water and other cleaners with sponges and squeegees.
Coordinate with multiple sewing facilities to expedite late customer orders.
Ship via fed ex and ups.
Observe and follow GMP guidelines ensuring product quality.
Perform cycle counting of WIP and complete inventories.

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Inventory planner vs production clerk skills

Common inventory planner skills

Supply Chain, 12%
Purchase Orders, 9%
Logistics, 8%
Manage Inventory, 8%
Inventory Planning, 7%
Historical Data, 4%

Common production clerk skills

Basic Math, 16%
Data Entry, 16%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Math, 8%
Production Reports, 4%
GMP, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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