Product planner vs project scheduler

The differences between product planners and project 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 product planner and a project scheduler. Additionally, a product planner has an average salary of $94,669, which is higher than the $85,491 average annual salary of a project scheduler.

The top three skills for a product planner include product development, product planning and product line. The most important skills for a project scheduler are project management, primavera p6, and project controls.

Product planner vs project scheduler overview

	Product Planner	Project Scheduler
Yearly salary	$94,669	$85,491
Hourly rate	$45.51	$41.10
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	85,346	17,065
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a product planner do?

Product planner positions require a battery of skills, including decisiveness, stress management, leadership, organization, communication, statistics, business operations, computer literacy, and problem-solving, to name a few. Those who choose this career will be required to involve internally-focused decisions, steps, and tasks necessary to develop a successful product.

What does a project scheduler do?

A project scheduler is responsible for organizing and managing project schedules, including meetings, appointments, and other related activities involved in the operational production. Project schedulers coordinate with clients and business partners to inform them of the schedule, respond to their inquiries and concerns, and take note of their availability, especially on cancellations and reschedules. They also perform administrative and clerical tasks as needed, such as writing meeting reports, updating clients' information on the database, operating the scheduling management system software, and evaluating progress reports and project deadlines.

Product planner vs project scheduler salary

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

	Product Planner	Project Scheduler
Average salary	$94,669	$85,491
Salary range	Between $71,000 And $124,000	Between $61,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	Santa Rosa, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Apple	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	Technology	Professional

Differences between product planner and project scheduler education

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

	Product Planner	Project Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Western Carolina University

Product planner vs project scheduler demographics

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

	Product Planner	Project Scheduler
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%	Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 61.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between product planner and project scheduler duties and responsibilities

Product planner example responsibilities.

Manage company MRP purchases including contractor and consultant contract review.
Perform financial forecasting, leveraging MRP to plan performance of products and evaluate ROI of raw materials.
Task with supervising raw materials suppliers for computer test equipment construction using several ERP systems.
Support implementation of new ERP system (MFGPRO Eb2) relate to engineering procurement systems and processes.
Set up KANBAN to assure the steady flow of parts without stock outs as well as growing inventories.
Work collaboratively with purchasing, production, engineering, quality control, BOM analysts, buyers, and suppliers.

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Project scheduler example responsibilities.

Manage WIP at outside vendors to ensure the timely completion of orders and desire priorities are achieve.
Manage multiple fee pools (CPFF, CPAF, and CPIF).
Deliver assets and manage QA segment for creative team
Make purchase requisitions in MAXIMO program, inventory, accounts payable and manage budget.
Manage daily ERP requirements for work order release to the manufacturing floor to ensure on-time delivery.
Manage logistics activities with suppliers and carry out plans to gather, box and ship material for overseas projects.

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Product planner vs project scheduler skills

Common product planner skills

Product Development, 9%
Product Planning, 7%
Product Line, 7%
Logistics, 5%
MRP, 4%
Product Management, 4%

Common project scheduler skills

Project Management, 10%
Primavera P6, 8%
Project Controls, 6%
Microsoft Project, 5%
Work Breakdown Structure, 4%
Scheduling Software, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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