Planner/scheduler vs production controller

The differences between planner/schedulers and production controllers 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 production controller. Additionally, a planner/scheduler has an average salary of $71,955, which is higher than the $53,125 average annual salary of a production controller.

The top three skills for a planner/scheduler include customer service, production schedules and MRP. The most important skills for a production controller are production control, production planning, and logistics.

Planner/scheduler vs production controller overview

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Controller
Yearly salary	$71,955	$53,125
Hourly rate	$34.59	$25.54
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	22,279	71,747
Job satisfaction	3	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
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 production controller do?

A production controller is in charge of overseeing manufacturing operations, ensuring the workflow adheres to the quality standards, budgets, and deadlines. It is their duty to develop production and inventory control techniques, coordinate with managers to establish objectives and guidelines, review production plans and job orders, and supervise the supply chain operations. They also monitor every procedure, implement solutions in problem areas, and produce progress reports as needed. Furthermore, as a production controller, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with the production team while implementing the company's protocols and policies.

Planner/scheduler vs production controller salary

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Controller
Average salary	$71,955	$53,125
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $105,000	Between $37,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	Alameda, CA	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	BP America Inc	Intuitive Surgical
Best paying industry	Energy	Technology

Differences between planner/scheduler and production controller education

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Planner/scheduler vs production controller demographics

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Controller
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7%	Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0%
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, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between planner/scheduler and production controller 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.

Production controller example responsibilities.

Manage multiple windows to access accurate inventory, P.O numbers and job numbers.
Schedule production and manage inventory of raw materials and finish products using the MRP inventory control system.
Manage production order releases base on space, capacity, man power and indenture BOM build schemes.
Provide management with visibility of material shortages, backlogs, manage WIP variances and other potential schedule conflicts.
Manage warehouse and shipping departments, responsible for outsourcing secondary machining of materials, purchasing MRO supplies and logistics.
Flight line expediter ensures maintenance accomplishment and sortie production by managing, controlling and directing allocate resources and personnel.

Planner/scheduler vs production controller skills

Common planner/scheduler skills

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

Common production controller skills

Production Control, 28%
Production Planning, 14%
Logistics, 6%
Control Procedures, 5%
Production Schedules, 3%
MRP, 3%

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Planner/Scheduler vs Production Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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