Planner/scheduler vs production planner

The differences between planner/schedulers and production planners 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 planner. Additionally, a planner/scheduler has an average salary of $71,955, which is higher than the $60,390 average annual salary of a production planner.

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

Planner/scheduler vs production planner overview

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Planner
Yearly salary	$71,955	$60,390
Hourly rate	$34.59	$29.03
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	22,279	68,717
Job satisfaction	3	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
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 planner do?

Production planners or schedulers are employees who take charge of the timeliness and accuracy of the production process. The planners develop production schedules which detail the tasks that need to be done to meet the set completion date. They emphasize the goods and materials necessary in the production phase. It is their job to make sure that the working space is well-maintained for optimal performance. They also manage the flow of information during production.

Planner/scheduler vs production planner salary

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Planner
Average salary	$71,955	$60,390
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $105,000	Between $44,000 And $81,000
Highest paying City	Alameda, CA	Newark, CA
Highest paying state	California	Washington
Best paying company	BP America Inc	Intuitive Surgical
Best paying industry	Energy	Energy

Differences between planner/scheduler and production planner education

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Planner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Planner/scheduler vs production planner demographics

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Production Planner
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7%	Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0%
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, 9.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 7.1% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between planner/scheduler and production planner 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.

Show more

Production planner example responsibilities.

Manage large supply base consolidations for both production parts and MRO items.
Manage customer accounts from small first time customers to large OEM's.
Manage and update inventory plan base on ABC and MTO statistic data.
Provide leadership and manage production JCL analyst team supporting and recovering of production job streams.
Track managed backlog dollars, OEM, finish product, and make to order specialty products.
Supervise NPI chip fulfillment process - manage wafer starts to meet internal qualification and board level build plan.

Show more

Planner/scheduler vs production planner skills

Common planner/scheduler skills

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

Common production planner skills

Customer Service, 11%
MRP, 9%
ERP, 5%
Logistics, 4%
Continuous Improvement, 4%
On-Time Delivery, 4%

Planner/Scheduler vs. similar jobs

Planner/Scheduler related careers

Planner/Scheduler 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