Production controller vs production control clerk

The differences between production controllers and production control 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 controller and a production control clerk. Additionally, a production controller has an average salary of $53,125, which is higher than the $36,983 average annual salary of a production control clerk.

The top three skills for a production controller include production control, production planning and logistics. The most important skills for a production control clerk are data entry, production reports, and customer orders.

Production controller vs production control clerk overview

	Production Controller	Production Control Clerk
Yearly salary	$53,125	$36,983
Hourly rate	$25.54	$17.78
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	71,747	150,965
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Associate Degree, 33%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a production controller do?

A production controller is in charge of overseeing manufacturing operations, ensuring the workflow adheres to the quality standards, budgets, and deadlines. It is their duty to develop production and inventory control techniques, coordinate with managers to establish objectives and guidelines, review production plans and job orders, and supervise the supply chain operations. They also monitor every procedure, implement solutions in problem areas, and produce progress reports as needed. Furthermore, as a production controller, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with the production team while implementing the company's protocols and policies.

What does a production control clerk do?

Production control clerks will need to possess skills in data, entry, drafting customer supports and orders, dealing with production workers, and handling material inventory records. Also, clerical skills are a plus. This career calls for the reviewing and distribution of production work and shipment schedules, conferring with department supervisors on work progress and dates of completion, as well as the compilation of work progress reports, inventory levels, costs, and any issues in production.

Production controller vs production control clerk salary

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

	Production Controller	Production Control Clerk
Average salary	$53,125	$36,983
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $74,000	Between $26,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Harrisburg, PA
Highest paying state	California	New Hampshire
Best paying company	Intuitive Surgical	Fortive
Best paying industry	Technology	Manufacturing

Differences between production controller and production control clerk education

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

	Production Controller	Production Control Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Associate Degree, 33%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Production controller vs production control clerk demographics

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

	Production Controller	Production Control Clerk
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0%	Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between production controller and production control clerk duties and responsibilities

Production controller example responsibilities.

Manage multiple windows to access accurate inventory, P.O numbers and job numbers.
Schedule production and manage inventory of raw materials and finish products using the MRP inventory control system.
Manage production order releases base on space, capacity, man power and indenture BOM build schemes.
Provide management with visibility of material shortages, backlogs, manage WIP variances and other potential schedule conflicts.
Manage warehouse and shipping departments, responsible for outsourcing secondary machining of materials, purchasing MRO supplies and logistics.
Flight line expediter ensures maintenance accomplishment and sortie production by managing, controlling and directing allocate resources and personnel.

Production control clerk example responsibilities.

Manage warehouse and shipping departments, responsible for outsourcing secondary machining of materials, purchasing MRO supplies and logistics.
Create shippers and labels, manually or electronically in EDI.
Operate CNC Router/Engraver to produce ADA compliant signs, plaques.
Receive and process order information from customers via e-mail and EDI.
Assist in the setup & programming of CNC machines for production.
Research, recommend, set up and maintain the company's new ERP system.

Production controller vs production control clerk skills

Common production controller skills

Production Control, 28%
Production Planning, 14%
Logistics, 6%
Control Procedures, 5%
Production Schedules, 3%
MRP, 3%

Common production control clerk skills

Data Entry, 11%
Production Reports, 11%
Customer Orders, 10%
Production Sheets, 9%
Product Specifications, 8%
Logistics, 7%

Production Controller vs. similar jobs

Production Controller related careers

Production Controller related jobs

What similar roles do

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

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse office and administrative jobs