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The differences between inventory technicians and inventory controllers 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 $36,199 average annual salary of an inventory technician.
The top three skills for an inventory technician include customer service, patient care and patients. The most important skills for an inventory controller are inventory control, customer service, and data entry.
| Inventory Technician | Inventory Controller | |
| Yearly salary | $36,199 | $36,911 |
| Hourly rate | $17.40 | $17.75 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 212,629 | 140,496 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| 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.
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.
Inventory technicians and inventory controllers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Inventory Technician | Inventory Controller | |
| Average salary | $36,199 | $36,911 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $28,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Caldwell, ID | Everett, MA |
| Highest paying state | Idaho | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | General Dynamics Mission Systems |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between an inventory technician and an inventory controller in terms of educational background:
| Inventory Technician | Inventory Controller | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 36% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between inventory technicians' and inventory controllers' demographics:
| Inventory Technician | Inventory Controller | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5% | Male, 59.4% Female, 40.6% |
| 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, 9.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 6.7% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |