Production control specialist vs production clerk

The differences between production control specialists and production clerks 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 specialist and a production clerk. Additionally, a production control specialist has an average salary of $60,387, which is higher than the $32,281 average annual salary of a production clerk.

The top three skills for a production control specialist include production control, MRP and lean manufacturing. The most important skills for a production clerk are basic math, data entry, and safety procedures.

Production control specialist vs production clerk overview

	Production Control Specialist	Production Clerk
Yearly salary	$60,387	$32,281
Hourly rate	$29.03	$15.52
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	89,320	241,271
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	High School Diploma, 31%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a production control specialist do?

In manufacturing facilities, a production control specialist is in charge of overseeing and coordinating production activities to ensure everything runs efficiently and smoothly from planning to completion. Their responsibilities include understanding the projects' needs, performing research and analysis, setting goals and daily objectives, establishing timelines and guidelines, reviewing documents and plans, conducting risk assessments, and resolving scheduling conflicts should any arise. Moreover, a production control specialist must monitor the daily workflow and assist customers with their orders when necessary.

What does a production clerk do?

Production clerks are involved with parts, warehousing, and inventory management operations. Those who choose this career path will be required to review and distribute production, work, and shipment schedules, as well as confer with department supervisors in order to determine the progress of work and completion dates. Production clerks also compile reports on things like work progress, inventory levels, cost, and production issues.

Production control specialist vs production clerk salary

Production control specialists and production clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Production Control Specialist	Production Clerk
Average salary	$60,387	$32,281
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $84,000	Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	Chesapeake, VA	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Massachusetts
Best paying company	SQA	Rich Products
Best paying industry	Finance	Manufacturing

Differences between production control specialist and production clerk education

There are a few differences between a production control specialist and a production clerk in terms of educational background:

	Production Control Specialist	Production Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	High School Diploma, 31%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Production control specialist vs production clerk demographics

Here are the differences between production control specialists' and production clerks' demographics:

	Production Control Specialist	Production Clerk
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 61.1% Female, 38.9%	Male, 31.8% Female, 68.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% 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 production control specialist and production clerk duties and responsibilities

Production control specialist example responsibilities.

Manage kanban implementation and accuracy.
Operate in multiple shop floor and MRP relate systems to ensure alignment between material position and production capability/schedule.
Provide detailed WIP status reports for customer calls by program management.
Monitor orders in WIP, replace rejected materials, and facilitate production holds.
Design and successfully implement ERP software.
Plan inventory levels base on dependent and independent BOM requirements.

Production clerk example responsibilities.

Flight line expediter ensures maintenance accomplishment and sortie production by managing, controlling and directing allocate resources and personnel.
Clean windows, glass partitions, and mirrors with water and other cleaners with sponges and squeegees.
Coordinate with multiple sewing facilities to expedite late customer orders.
Ship via fed ex and ups.
Observe and follow GMP guidelines ensuring product quality.
Perform cycle counting of WIP and complete inventories.

Production control specialist vs production clerk skills

Common production control specialist skills

Production Control, 13%
MRP, 8%
Lean Manufacturing, 7%
Production Schedules, 5%
Logistics, 5%
Inventory Control, 4%

Common production clerk skills

Basic Math, 16%
Data Entry, 16%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Math, 8%
Production Reports, 4%
GMP, 4%

Production Control Specialist vs. similar jobs

Production Control Specialist related careers

Production Control Specialist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Office and Administrative Industry
Production Control Specialist
Production Control Specialist vs Production Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs