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The differences between materials clerks and inventory control specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an inventory control specialist has an average salary of $34,507, 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 control specialist are customer service, inventory control procedures, and work ethic.
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Control Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $32,109 | $34,507 |
| Hourly rate | $15.44 | $16.59 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 222,503 | 107,710 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | High School Diploma, 31% |
| 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 control specialist ensures company inventory is accurate in all levels to increase the company's profitability. The specialist should maintain stable stocks and should manage the procurement of inventories. He/She or she is responsible for managing the flow of inventory in and out together with the shipment, package, and the storage activities then record them accurately for audits and reporting to the management. Specialists are often employed by various industries. They usually work in warehouses or in local retail locations.
Materials clerks and inventory control specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Control Specialist | |
| Average salary | $32,109 | $34,507 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $23,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Petaluma, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | JPMorgan Chase & Co. |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials clerk and an inventory control specialist in terms of educational background:
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Control Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | High School Diploma, 31% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between materials clerks' and inventory control specialists' demographics:
| Materials Clerk | Inventory Control Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% | Male, 63.2% Female, 36.8% |
| 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, 9.8% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |