Materials planner vs project scheduler

The differences between materials planners and project schedulers 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 project scheduler. Additionally, a project scheduler has an average salary of $85,491, which is higher than the $58,467 average annual salary of a materials planner.

The top three skills for a materials planner include supply chain, MRP and purchase orders. The most important skills for a project scheduler are project management, primavera p6, and project controls.

Materials planner vs project scheduler overview

	Materials Planner	Project Scheduler
Yearly salary	$58,467	$85,491
Hourly rate	$28.11	$41.10
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	23,019	17,065
Job satisfaction	4	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
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 project scheduler do?

A project scheduler is responsible for organizing and managing project schedules, including meetings, appointments, and other related activities involved in the operational production. Project schedulers coordinate with clients and business partners to inform them of the schedule, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and take note of their availability, especially on cancellations and reschedules. They also perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed, such as writing meeting reports, updating clients' information on the database, operating the scheduling management system software, and evaluating progress reports and project deadlines.

Materials planner vs project scheduler salary

Materials planners and project schedulers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Materials Planner	Project Scheduler
Average salary	$58,467	$85,491
Salary range	Between $45,000 And $74,000	Between $61,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	Oakland, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Apple	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	Automotive	Professional

Differences between materials planner and project scheduler education

There are a few differences between a materials planner and a project scheduler in terms of educational background:

	Materials Planner	Project Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Materials planner vs project scheduler demographics

Here are the differences between materials planners' and project schedulers' demographics:

	Materials Planner	Project Scheduler
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3%	Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between materials planner and project scheduler 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.

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Project scheduler example responsibilities.

Manage WIP at outside vendors to ensure the timely completion of orders and desire priorities are achieve.
Manage multiple fee pools (CPFF, CPAF, and CPIF).
Deliver assets and manage QA segment for creative team
Make purchase requisitions in MAXIMO program, inventory, accounts payable and manage budget.
Manage daily ERP requirements for work order release to the manufacturing floor to ensure on-time delivery.
Manage logistics activities with suppliers and carry out plans to gather, box and ship material for overseas projects.

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Materials planner vs project scheduler skills

Common materials planner skills

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

Common project scheduler skills

Project Management, 10%
Primavera P6, 8%
Project Controls, 6%
Microsoft Project, 5%
Work Breakdown Structure, 4%
Scheduling Software, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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