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The differences between inventory technicians and distribution technicians 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 $33,564 average annual salary of a distribution technician.
The top three skills for an inventory technician include customer service, patient care and patients. The most important skills for a distribution technician are patients, computer system, and data entry.
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $36,199 | $33,564 |
| Hourly rate | $17.40 | $16.14 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 212,629 | 154,925 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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 technician has a variety of duties and responsibilities, including collecting and delivering materials, receiving documents, packages, and messages, and transporting them safely to their destination. Other tasks that you will likely perform include managing the inventory and completing data entry, preparing documentation and reports, and coordinating logistics for the shipment of products. Additional duties include providing quality service to customers and distributors, resolving inventory discrepancies, and collecting and updating customer information. You may also be tasked to conduct field and laboratory testing of construction materials.
Inventory technicians and distribution technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Technician | |
| Average salary | $36,199 | $33,564 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $26,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Caldwell, ID | Vallejo, CA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Brigham and Women's Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Utilities |
There are a few differences between an inventory technician and a distribution technician in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between inventory technicians' and distribution technicians' demographics:
| Inventory Technician | Distribution Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% | Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2% |
| 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, 9.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |