Materials planner vs production clerk

The differences between materials planners and production clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a materials planner and a production clerk. Additionally, a materials planner has an average salary of $58,467, which is higher than the $32,281 average annual salary of a production clerk.

The top three skills for a materials planner include supply chain, MRP and purchase orders. The most important skills for a production clerk are basic math, data entry, and safety procedures.

Materials planner vs production clerk overview

	Materials Planner	Production Clerk
Yearly salary	$58,467	$32,281
Hourly rate	$28.11	$15.52
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	23,019	241,271
Job satisfaction	4	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a materials planner do?

Usually working in a manufacturing setting, a materials planner's role is to manage the supply flow and inventory of materials. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with vendors and other external agencies, processing purchase orders, monitoring the quality of supplies to ensure it is according to the standards, and coordinating with various teams to learn their needs. Furthermore, as a planner, it is essential to devise strategies to resolve any issues, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.

What does a production clerk do?

Production clerks are involved with parts, warehousing, and inventory management operations. Those who choose this career path will be required to review and distribute production, work, and shipment schedules, as well as confer with department supervisors in order to determine the progress of work and completion dates. Production clerks also compile reports on things like work progress, inventory levels, cost, and production issues.

Materials planner vs production clerk salary

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

	Materials Planner	Production Clerk
Average salary	$58,467	$32,281
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $74,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Oakland, CA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	California	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Apple	Rich Products
Best paying industry	Automotive	Manufacturing

Differences between materials planner and production clerk education

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

	Materials Planner	Production Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Materials planner vs production clerk demographics

Here are the differences between materials planners' and production clerks' demographics:

	Materials Planner	Production Clerk
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3%	Male, 31.8% Female, 68.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between materials planner and production clerk duties and responsibilities

Materials planner example responsibilities.

Develop and implement purchasing and contract management, policies and procedures and manage ISO documents and improvements.
Determine material and component requirements base on the MRP system and ensure availability to support production schedules.
Monitor MRP forecasts, inventory, customer demand, production requirements, inventory transactions and reject material.
Create and maintain MRP classification codes in addition to reviewing BOM accuracy to ensure correct component identification, ordering and release.
Maintain and setup supplier pull systems (KANBAN).
Key team member in planning, training, implementation, and support of a new ERP system.

Show more

Production clerk example responsibilities.

Flight line expediter ensures maintenance accomplishment and sortie production by managing, controlling and directing allocate resources and personnel.
Clean windows, glass partitions, and mirrors with water and other cleaners with sponges and squeegees.
Coordinate with multiple sewing facilities to expedite late customer orders.
Ship via fed ex and ups.
Observe and follow GMP guidelines ensuring product quality.
Perform cycle counting of WIP and complete inventories.

Show more

Materials planner vs production clerk skills

Common materials planner skills

Supply Chain, 12%
MRP, 8%
Purchase Orders, 5%
Logistics, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Material Planning, 5%

Common production clerk skills

Basic Math, 16%
Data Entry, 16%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Math, 8%
Production Reports, 4%
GMP, 4%

Materials Planner vs. similar jobs

Materials Planner related careers

Materials Planner related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z