Production scheduler vs production controller

The differences between production schedulers and production controllers 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 scheduler and a production controller. Additionally, a production controller has an average salary of $53,125, which is higher than the $49,367 average annual salary of a production scheduler.

The top three skills for a production scheduler include customer service, MRP and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a production controller are production control, production planning, and logistics.

Production scheduler vs production controller overview

	Production Scheduler	Production Controller
Yearly salary	$49,367	$53,125
Hourly rate	$23.73	$25.54
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	64,551	71,747
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	2	2

What does a production scheduler do?

A production scheduler is in charge of developing manufacturing schedules to achieve short and long term production goals. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to understand the extent of all procedures, identifying the needs of clients, and devising strategies for optimal operations. They must also monitor the company's resources and workforce to ensure that everything runs smoothly in adherence to all schedules, making changes only when necessary. Furthermore, as a production scheduler, it is essential to encourage the workforce to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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.

Production scheduler vs production controller salary

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

	Production Scheduler	Production Controller
Average salary	$49,367	$53,125
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $71,000	Between $37,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City	Richmond, VA	Fremont, CA
Highest paying state	Virginia	California
Best paying company	Amphenol	Intuitive Surgical
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between production scheduler and production controller education

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

	Production Scheduler	Production Controller
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	Western Carolina University

Production scheduler vs production controller demographics

Here are the differences between production schedulers' and production controllers' demographics:

	Production Scheduler	Production Controller
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 54.3% Female, 45.7%	Male, 64.0% Female, 36.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 7.4% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between production scheduler and production controller duties and responsibilities

Production scheduler example responsibilities.

Lead a Kaizen to improve efficiency and reduce non-value add work in the scheduling department.
Manage and purchase all MRO material inventory supplies for the production of automotive safety products.
Design, develop, and manage process of ordering and maintaining materials not migrate into ERP system.
Supervise NPI chip fulfillment process - manage wafer starts to meet internal qualification and board level build plan.
Generate prioritize schedules by manufacturing work centers base on MRP requirements, material availability, and capacity constraints.
Inventory reduction, JIT, OTD ,

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 scheduler vs production controller skills

Common production scheduler skills

Customer Service, 12%
MRP, 7%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
ERP, 5%
Production Planning, 4%
Lean Manufacturing, 3%

Common production controller skills

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

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Production Scheduler
Production Scheduler vs Production Controller

Updated January 8, 2025

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