Planner/scheduler vs project planner

The differences between planner/schedulers and project 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 project planner. Additionally, a project planner has an average salary of $86,926, 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 project planner are project management, project planning, and microsoft project.

Planner/scheduler vs project planner overview

	Planner/Scheduler	Project Planner
Yearly salary	$71,955	$86,926
Hourly rate	$34.59	$41.79
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	22,279	56,558
Job satisfaction	3	-
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 project planner do?

A project planner is responsible for determining project management procedures according to business requirements and client specifications. Project planners schedule deliverables of outputs for every milestone to ensure that the team follows the track of guidelines, adhering to the company policies and project plans. They write status reports, conduct cost expenses analysis, and strategize techniques in maximizing the team's productivity and efficiency. A project planner also identifies opportunities to improve project workloads and adjust procedures as necessary to meet the highest goals and objectives.

Planner/scheduler vs project planner salary

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Project Planner
Average salary	$71,955	$86,926
Salary range	Between $49,000 And $105,000	Between $63,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	Alameda, CA	Davis, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	BP America Inc	Novo Nordisk
Best paying industry	Energy	Hospitality

Differences between planner/scheduler and project planner education

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Project Planner
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 project planner demographics

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

	Planner/Scheduler	Project Planner
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 65.3% Female, 34.7%	Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9%
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, 10.3% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between planner/scheduler and project 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.

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Project planner example responsibilities.

Utilize SharePoint and manage content to display and capture progress report information.
Manage logistics of all facets of the transition from housing, moving, inter-service agreements and education.
Manage event day logistics, including staging, set-up and strike; adherence to event schedule, and guest hospitality.
Follow EPC projects from the engineering office to the construction site to manage the execution and performance of the construction effort.
Manage retrofit projects for progressive stamping equipment.
Experience with CMMS (maximo), including writing job plans and pm's.

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Planner/scheduler vs project planner skills

Common planner/scheduler skills

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

Common project planner skills

Project Management, 20%
Project Planning, 8%
Microsoft Project, 4%
Project Scope, 4%
Primavera P6, 4%
Project Controls, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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