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Project planner vs project scheduler

The differences between project 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 project planner and a project scheduler. Additionally, a project planner has an average salary of $86,926, which is higher than the $85,491 average annual salary of a project scheduler.

The top three skills for a project planner include project management, project planning and microsoft project. The most important skills for a project scheduler are project management, primavera p6, and project controls.

Project planner vs project scheduler overview

Project PlannerProject Scheduler
Yearly salary$86,926$85,491
Hourly rate$41.79$41.10
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs56,55817,065
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4545
Years of experience22

What does a project planner do?

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.

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.

Project planner vs project scheduler salary

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

Project PlannerProject Scheduler
Average salary$86,926$85,491
Salary rangeBetween $63,000 And $118,000Between $61,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityDavis, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyNovo NordiskAstraZeneca
Best paying industryHospitalityProfessional

Differences between project planner and project scheduler education

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

Project PlannerProject Scheduler
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeWestern Carolina UniversityWestern Carolina University

Project planner vs project scheduler demographics

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

Project PlannerProject Scheduler
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 65.1% Female, 34.9%Male, 67.8% Female, 32.2%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between project planner and project scheduler duties and responsibilities

Project planner example responsibilities.

  • Utilize SharePoint and manage content to display and capture progress report information.
  • Manage logistics of all facets of the transition from housing, moving, inter-service agreements and education.
  • Manage event day logistics, including staging, set-up and strike; adherence to event schedule, and guest hospitality.
  • Follow EPC projects from the engineering office to the construction site to manage the execution and performance of the construction effort.
  • Manage retrofit projects for progressive stamping equipment.
  • Experience with CMMS (maximo), including writing job plans and pm's.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Project planner vs project scheduler skills

Common project planner skills
  • Project Management, 20%
  • Project Planning, 8%
  • Microsoft Project, 4%
  • Project Scope, 4%
  • Primavera P6, 4%
  • Project Controls, 3%
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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