Production control planner vs project scheduler

The differences between production control 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 production control planner and a project scheduler. Additionally, a project scheduler has an average salary of $85,491, which is higher than the $68,783 average annual salary of a production control planner.

The top three skills for a production control planner include MRP, production control and on-time delivery. The most important skills for a project scheduler are project management, primavera p6, and project controls.

Production control planner vs project scheduler overview

	Production Control Planner	Project Scheduler
Yearly salary	$68,783	$85,491
Hourly rate	$33.07	$41.10
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	98,958	17,065
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a production control planner do?

Production control planners have the ability to work well with others, analytical thinking, verbal communication, persistence, determination, ambition, and, of course, business management skills. Those who choose this career path will plan production control activities in order to improve runtime while maintaining high quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery. Also, they will work on material planning and analysis for the purposes of reducing the inventory level.

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.

Production control planner vs project scheduler salary

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

	Production Control Planner	Project Scheduler
Average salary	$68,783	$85,491
Salary range	Between $52,000 And $90,000	Between $61,000 And $118,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	NVIDIA	AstraZeneca
Best paying industry	Automotive	Professional

Differences between production control planner and project scheduler education

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

	Production Control Planner	Project Scheduler
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 61%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Production control planner vs project scheduler demographics

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

	Production Control Planner	Project Scheduler
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 63.0% Female, 37.0%	Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 7.2% White, 61.0% 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 production control planner and project scheduler duties and responsibilities

Production control planner example responsibilities.

Coordinate daily materials supply concerns and recommend continuous improvement in the logistics system to achieve optimum materials support to aircraft maintenance.
Plan inventory management techniques (KANBAN) to avoid any shortages and excesses.
Maintain MRP, establish production schedules and staffing base on material availability and analysis of capacity.
Issue KANBAN cards: for the reorder of materials.
Prepare work orders for production and follow work in progress (WIP) through to completion.
Train users on new ERP system, documenting new procedures for users as applicable to their jobs.

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.

Production control planner vs project scheduler skills

Common production control planner skills

MRP, 10%
Production Control, 9%
On-Time Delivery, 5%
Logistics, 5%
Production Planning, 5%
ERP, 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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Production Control Planner
Production Control Planner vs Project Scheduler

Updated January 8, 2025

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