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The differences between materials clerks and materials specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials specialist has an average salary of $44,143, 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 a materials specialist are customer service, logistics, and data entry.
| Materials Clerk | Materials Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $32,109 | $44,143 |
| Hourly rate | $15.44 | $21.22 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 222,503 | 38,001 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| 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.
A materials specialist is responsible for researching efficient and high-quality materials for production and manufacturing processes, following the designs and specifications of the engineering team and design analysts. Materials specialists identify cost-reduction materials by coordinating with trusted suppliers and vendors and determine the suitability of these items in the supply chain. They conduct data and statistical analysis to develop strategic techniques that would minimize the company's expenditures and cost. A materials specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing expense reports and discuss findings to the senior management.
Materials clerks and materials specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Clerk | Materials Specialist | |
| Average salary | $32,109 | $44,143 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $24,000 And $79,000 |
| Highest paying City | Petaluma, CA | San Diego, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials clerk and a materials specialist in terms of educational background:
| Materials Clerk | Materials Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 47% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between materials clerks' and materials specialists' demographics:
| Materials Clerk | Materials Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% | Male, 64.4% Female, 35.6% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.6% White, 57.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |