Planner/scheduler vs master scheduler

The differences between planner/schedulers and master 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 planner/scheduler and a master scheduler. Additionally, a master scheduler has an average salary of $77,733, which is higher than the $71,955 average annual salary of a planner/scheduler.

The top three skills for a planner/scheduler include customer service, production schedules and MRP. The most important skills for a master scheduler are customer service, MRP, and program management.

Planner/scheduler vs master scheduler overview

	Planner/Scheduler	Master Scheduler
Yearly salary	$71,955	$77,733
Hourly rate	$34.59	$37.37
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	22,279	23,353
Job satisfaction	3	4
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a planner/scheduler do?

The duties of a planner/scheduler depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a manufacturing setting, their responsibilities revolve around creating different schedules for projects, production, releases, contracts, and other deliverables, ensuring everyone's adherence by regular reminders and inspections. Typically, they are also responsible for devising strategies for optimizing operations, coordinating with other skilled professionals to develop controls, maintaining records of all schedules and other necessary documentation, and implementing the company's policies and regulations.

What does a master scheduler do?

A master scheduler is in charge of overseeing and developing a company's overall production schedule, ensuring quality and workforce adherence. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs, developing daily schedules and objectives, disseminating scheduling notices, and conducting regular inspections to ensure the completion of projects in a timely and efficient manner. Furthermore, a master scheduler must produce progress reports and encourage workforce members to reach goals, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

Planner/scheduler vs master scheduler salary

Planner/schedulers and master schedulers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Planner/Scheduler	Master Scheduler
Average salary	$71,955	$77,733
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $105,000	Between $59,000 And $101,000
Highest paying City	Alameda, CA	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	California	Massachusetts
Best paying company	BP America Inc	NVIDIA
Best paying industry	Energy	Energy

Differences between planner/scheduler and master scheduler education

There are a few differences between a planner/scheduler and a master scheduler in terms of educational background:

	Planner/Scheduler	Master Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Planner/scheduler vs master scheduler demographics

Here are the differences between planner/schedulers' and master schedulers' demographics:

	Planner/Scheduler	Master Scheduler
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7%	Male, 64.3% Female, 35.7%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 7.0% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between planner/scheduler and master scheduler duties and responsibilities

Planner/scheduler example responsibilities.

Review maintenance backlog and identify work to be accomplish along with PMs and assist in establishing priorities.
Design, implement and manage MFCY J2's USG, DOD, Interagency and IC external engagement strategy.
Coordinate and manage high visibility and important customer BOM changes.
Act as interface between sales/project managers, engineering, manufacturing operations, purchasing and inventory control / logistics.
Conduct plant wide safety training per OSHA.
Create detail WBS structures and task charge numbers assign budgets.

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Master scheduler example responsibilities.

Supervise NPI chip fulfillment process - manage wafer starts to meet internal qualification and board level build plan.
Facilitate production release of drawings, bills of materials, and QC specs.
Coordinate the flow of machine and electronic parts through the production process including QC.
Experience with the engineering change order (ECO) process including documentation and documentation control.
Create BOM's, standardize part numbers, and standardize part descriptions in the MRP software.
Develop, coordinate, and maintain CPM and EVM cost loaded schedules for various BRPH customers.

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Planner/scheduler vs master scheduler skills

Common planner/scheduler skills

Customer Service, 9%
Production Schedules, 5%
MRP, 5%
Preventive Maintenance, 4%
CMMS, 4%
Logistics, 4%

Common master scheduler skills

Customer Service, 8%
MRP, 6%
Program Management, 5%
Continuous Improvement, 5%
Microsoft Project, 4%
ERP, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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