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The differences between inventory technicians and distribution center associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory technician has an average salary of $36,199, which is higher than the $33,708 average annual salary of a distribution center associate.
The top three skills for an inventory technician include customer service, patient care and patients. The most important skills for a distribution center associate are pallets, excellent interpersonal, and patients.
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Center Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $36,199 | $33,708 |
| Hourly rate | $17.40 | $16.21 |
| Growth rate | 1% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 212,629 | 240,852 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
Typically working in retail warehouses and establishments, an inventory technician is in charge of maintaining the efficiency of inventory tools and equipment. They usually set guidelines, manage inventory records, operate machines and equipment, troubleshoot problems, and conduct regular maintenance checks. There are also instances where they may produce progress reports and conduct research and analysis. Moreover, an inventory technician must provide technical support to employees and maintain an active communication line for a smooth and safe workflow.
A distribution center associate is responsible for supporting the operations of a distribution center, such as assisting the manufacturing process, labeling merchandise, packaging items, and storing products to the appropriate category shelves. Distribution center associates also help on loading and unloading items from the delivery trucks, checking inventory receipts, and inspecting the quality and the correct quantity of products for shipment. They update stock information on the database, as well as responding to clients' inquiries and delivery concerns, and resolving complaints immediately.
Inventory technicians and distribution center associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Center Associate | |
| Average salary | $36,199 | $33,708 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $26,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Caldwell, ID | Minneapolis, MN |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Minnesota |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | McKinsey & Company Inc |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between an inventory technician and a distribution center associate in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Center Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 40% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between inventory technicians' and distribution center associates' demographics:
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Center Associate | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 20.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 7% |