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The differences between project planners and project controls specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a project planner, becoming a project controls specialist takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a project planner has an average salary of $86,926, which is higher than the $85,159 average annual salary of a project controls specialist.
The top three skills for a project planner include project management, project planning and microsoft project. The most important skills for a project controls specialist are project controls, project management, and work breakdown structure.
| Project Planner | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $86,926 | $85,159 |
| Hourly rate | $41.79 | $40.94 |
| Growth rate | -3% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 56,558 | 21,484 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 8 |
A project planner is responsible for determining project management procedures according to business requirements and client specifications. Project planners schedule deliverables of outputs for every milestone to ensure that the team follows the track of guidelines, adhering to the company policies and project plans. They write status reports, conduct cost expenses analysis, and strategize techniques in maximizing the team's productivity and efficiency. A project planner also identifies opportunities to improve project workloads and adjust procedures as necessary to meet the highest goals and objectives.
A project controls specialist is responsible for establishing project management procedures to achieve project goals and objectives by following clients' specifications and requirements within the budget limitations and timetable. Project controls specialists implement strategic techniques to mitigate potential project risks and promote maximum productivity by conducting regular meetings to monitor the project's progress. They also coordinate with the clients for the updates, as well as informing them of any plan adjustments. A project controls specialist maintains strict quality control processes to ensure the efficient development of the project for timely deliverables.
Project planners and project controls specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Project Planner | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Average salary | $86,926 | $85,159 |
| Salary range | Between $63,000 And $118,000 | Between $60,000 And $119,000 |
| Highest paying City | Davis, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Idaho |
| Best paying company | Novo Nordisk | |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Professional |
There are a few differences between a project planner and a project controls specialist in terms of educational background:
| Project Planner | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Western Carolina University | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
Here are the differences between project planners' and project controls specialists' demographics:
| Project Planner | Project Controls Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.1% Female, 34.9% | Male, 58.3% Female, 41.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 3.7% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.9% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 4% |