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Materials clerk vs warehouse clerk

The differences between materials clerks and warehouse clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a materials clerk has an average salary of $32,109, which is higher than the $31,564 average annual salary of a warehouse clerk.

The top three skills for a materials clerk include data entry, purchase orders and patient care. The most important skills for a warehouse clerk are work ethic, data entry, and logistics.

Materials clerk vs warehouse clerk overview

Materials ClerkWarehouse Clerk
Yearly salary$32,109$31,564
Hourly rate$15.44$15.18
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs222,503235,973
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 47%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a materials clerk do?

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.

What does a warehouse clerk do?

A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.

Materials clerk vs warehouse clerk salary

Materials clerks and warehouse clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Materials ClerkWarehouse Clerk
Average salary$32,109$31,564
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $25,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityPetaluma, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyAmphenolThermo Fisher Scientific
Best paying industryAutomotiveTransportation

Differences between materials clerk and warehouse clerk education

There are a few differences between a materials clerk and a warehouse clerk in terms of educational background:

Materials ClerkWarehouse Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%High School Diploma, 47%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Materials clerk vs warehouse clerk demographics

Here are the differences between materials clerks' and warehouse clerks' demographics:

Materials ClerkWarehouse Clerk
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 53.0% Female, 47.0%Male, 73.6% Female, 26.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 26.4% Asian, 5.8% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between materials clerk and warehouse clerk duties and responsibilities

Materials clerk example responsibilities.

  • Manage incoming delivery of all FedEx and containers containing serviceable material.
  • Direct inbound and outbound logistics operations, such as transportation and warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.
  • Deliver groceries to customers homes/ businesses.

Warehouse clerk example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and manage shipping for complete pallets to different work sites internationally.
  • Check the MRP system for shortages on release work orders or sales orders and issue as required.
  • Update training and work instructions pursuant to ISO guidelines.
  • Have used various MRP systems for inventory with superior knowledge.
  • Train and certify in the use of ESD equipment and practices.
  • Process all BOL via SAP/TWMS for external, rail and barge shipments.
  • Show more

Materials clerk vs warehouse clerk skills

Common materials clerk skills
  • Data Entry, 14%
  • Purchase Orders, 8%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Inventory Control, 8%
  • Pallet Jack, 8%
  • Cycle Counts, 7%
Common warehouse clerk skills
  • Work Ethic, 19%
  • Data Entry, 15%
  • Logistics, 13%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Pallets, 4%
  • Patients, 4%

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