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The differences between materials clerks and inventory clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory clerk has an average salary of $32,666, which is higher than the $32,109 average annual salary of a materials clerk.
The top three skills for a materials clerk include data entry, purchase orders and patient care. The most important skills for an inventory clerk are customer service, data entry, and inventory control.
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $32,109 | $32,666 |
| Hourly rate | $15.44 | $15.70 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 222,503 | 204,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A materials clerk is in charge of recording and monitoring the inventory of materials in different establishments, mostly in warehouses and retail facilities. They typically receive and inspect supplies to verify its quality and quantity, handle the documentation procedures, review requisitions and invoices, and update records as needed. Most of the time, they have the authority to accept and reject deliveries according to documents and materials. Moreover, aside from keeping accurate records, a materials clerk must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Inventory clerks or inventory control clerks manage and maintain all inventory coming in and out. They ensure that the items are stored and stocked in their proper places. They have to train less experienced clerks as well as prepare balance and shortage reports. They also need to report any stock issues, place orders when necessary, prepare a list of lacking products, and take note of unusable items. A good inventory clerk must be detail-oriented, organized, and have relevant experience in inventory control.
Materials clerks and inventory clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Clerk | |
| Average salary | $32,109 | $32,666 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $26,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Petaluma, CA | Portland, OR |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Oregon |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | BD |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials clerk and an inventory clerk in terms of educational background:
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between materials clerks' and inventory clerks' demographics:
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Clerk | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% | Male, 51.4% Female, 48.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 22.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |