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The differences between materials clerks and materials technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials technician has an average salary of $35,721, 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 technician are patients, customer service, and patient care.
| Materials Clerk | Materials Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $32,109 | $35,721 |
| Hourly rate | $15.44 | $17.17 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 222,503 | 33,176 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 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.
A materials technician is responsible for inspecting and testing tools and materials required for production operations and manufacturing processes, ensuring its stability and efficiency to support business functions and produce high-quality outputs. Materials technicians review the production process and recommend cost-reduction resources by negotiating with trusted suppliers and vendors. They also identify the safety and reliability of materials to prevent operational delays and avoid potential hazards within the work area. A materials technician must be able to operate manufacturing equipment to develop improved techniques and write report findings.
Materials clerks and materials technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Clerk | Materials Technician | |
| Average salary | $32,109 | $35,721 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $40,000 | Between $27,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Petaluma, CA | Rahway, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Amphenol | Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials clerk and a materials technician in terms of educational background:
| Materials Clerk | Materials Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between materials clerks' and materials technicians' demographics:
| Materials Clerk | Materials Technician | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.0% Female, 47.0% | Male, 72.6% Female, 27.4% |
| 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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 6% |