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The differences between material controllers and materials planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a material controller and a materials planner. Additionally, a materials planner has an average salary of $58,467, which is higher than the $41,064 average annual salary of a material controller.
The top three skills for a material controller include computer system, purchase orders and hazardous materials. The most important skills for a materials planner are supply chain, MRP, and purchase orders.
| Material Controller | Materials Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $41,064 | $58,467 |
| Hourly rate | $19.74 | $28.11 |
| Growth rate | -3% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 93,578 | 23,019 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A material controller coordinates the movement of materials between departments. This position's duties include creating records of materials' movements in the company, negotiating with vendors, carrying out safety checks, and ensuring operations follow company and industry regulations. They must work in collaboration with other departments in the company to perform their duties effectively.
Usually working in a manufacturing setting, a materials planner's role is to manage the supply flow and inventory of materials. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with vendors and other external agencies, processing purchase orders, monitoring the quality of supplies to ensure it is according to the standards, and coordinating with various teams to learn their needs. Furthermore, as a planner, it is essential to devise strategies to resolve any issues, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.
Material controllers and materials planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Material Controller | Materials Planner | |
| Average salary | $41,064 | $58,467 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $68,000 | Between $45,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Lancaster, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Aviation Technology Group | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a material controller and a materials planner in terms of educational background:
| Material Controller | Materials Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 47% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between material controllers' and materials planners' demographics:
| Material Controller | Materials Planner | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.8% Female, 28.2% | Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |