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Parts specialist vs parts coordinator

The differences between parts specialists and parts coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a parts specialist and a parts coordinator. Additionally, a parts coordinator has an average salary of $38,398, which is higher than the $33,611 average annual salary of a parts specialist.

The top three skills for a parts specialist include taking care, customer service and inventory control. The most important skills for a parts coordinator are customer service, purchase orders, and data entry.

Parts specialist vs parts coordinator overview

Parts SpecialistParts Coordinator
Yearly salary$33,611$38,398
Hourly rate$16.16$18.46
Growth rate--
Number of jobs46,30139,185
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

What does a parts specialist do?

Parts specialists are responsible for the sale and maintenance of inventory at a dealership, an automotive care center, or other businesses providing automotive parts and supplies. Their duties and responsibilities include maintaining detailed inventory records, purchasing automotive parts, and ensuring that parts are delivered promptly. They are responsible for answering customer questions about various machine parts and equipment. Qualifications for this position vary, which include relevant work experience, experience in a supervisory or managerial job, and professional training through a vocational school.

What does a parts coordinator do?

A parts coordinator usually works at retail establishments and warehouses where they are primarily in charge of coordinating with suppliers and vendors to maintain an adequate supply of materials and spare parts. They are also responsible for managing backorders, overseeing shipments and deliveries, maintaining records, and supervising operations to ensure that all issues get resolved in a timely and efficient manner. Moreover, a parts coordinator may work directly with clients, assisting them by answering inquiries, providing price quotes, and updating them about their orders.

Parts specialist vs parts coordinator salary

Parts specialists and parts coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Parts SpecialistParts Coordinator
Average salary$33,611$38,398
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $42,000Between $30,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WARedmond, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companySteel DynamicsAlfa Laval
Best paying industryManufacturingManufacturing

Differences between parts specialist and parts coordinator education

There are a few differences between a parts specialist and a parts coordinator in terms of educational background:

Parts SpecialistParts Coordinator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 41%Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Parts specialist vs parts coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between parts specialists' and parts coordinators' demographics:

Parts SpecialistParts Coordinator
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 76.9% Female, 23.1%Male, 62.3% Female, 37.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 1.7% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 4.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 1.6% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between parts specialist and parts coordinator duties and responsibilities

Parts specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
  • Maintain inventory control and increase profit of automotive dealership parts department.
  • Interface with cataloging engineers regarding correcting the parts catalog and technical specifications of parts.
  • Train all new counterman staff.
  • Skil in navigating AS400 database.
  • Complete H-DU chrome staff consultant training.
  • Show more

Parts coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Manage DIY services including battery installation, testing, wiper installs, etc.
  • Create requisition for AOG parts in AAR's system TRAX.
  • Move back to Lexington as an expediter shipping parts to vendors.
  • Develop relationships with personnel from other Chrysler dealerships to participate in a mutually beneficial parts purchase and delivery co op.
  • Deliver items to customers, whether they are a dealership, bodyshop or regular customer.

Parts specialist vs parts coordinator skills

Common parts specialist skills
  • Taking Care, 64%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Inventory Control, 3%
  • Data Entry, 2%
  • Parts Inventory, 2%
  • Inventory Management, 2%
Common parts coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 24%
  • Purchase Orders, 11%
  • Data Entry, 9%
  • Inventory Control, 6%
  • Parts Inventory, 5%
  • Cycle Counts, 4%