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Scale operator vs scale clerk

The differences between scale operators and scale clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a scale operator and a scale clerk. Additionally, a scale clerk has an average salary of $34,249, which is higher than the $32,498 average annual salary of a scale operator.

The top three skills for a scale operator include customer service, basic math and math. The most important skills for a scale clerk are data entry, harvest, and office equipment.

Scale operator vs scale clerk overview

Scale OperatorScale Clerk
Yearly salary$32,498$34,249
Hourly rate$15.62$16.47
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs30,06266,543
Job satisfaction4-
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 37%
Average age4545
Years of experience1212

What does a scale operator do?

Scale Operators are responsible for the operations of a material or vehicle weighing process. Their duties include weighing vehicles, sampling of inbound materials, maintaining inbound and outbound scaling documentation, reviewing loads and paperwork for inbound and outbound vehicles, and upkeeping scale house and scales. They are also responsible for loading and unloading product, writing daily progress reports as well as maintaining spreadsheets and logs. A Scale Operator must know about dealing with computerized scale systems.

What does a scale clerk do?

A scale clerk is a broad job and entails a wide range of duties from weighing, measuring, record keeping, supplies, and material checking. They must have the skill set to interact with customers, vendors, and suppliers, as well as having a keen eye for details. Their roles and responsibilities include record keeping of all incoming and outgoing products and ensuring weighing and measuring are done accurately.

Scale operator vs scale clerk salary

Scale operators and scale clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Scale OperatorScale Clerk
Average salary$32,498$34,249
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $43,000Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying CityCincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH
Highest paying stateAlaskaMaine
Best paying companySteel DynamicsUPS
Best paying industryFinanceManufacturing

Differences between scale operator and scale clerk education

There are a few differences between a scale operator and a scale clerk in terms of educational background:

Scale OperatorScale Clerk
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 44%High School Diploma, 37%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Scale operator vs scale clerk demographics

Here are the differences between scale operators' and scale clerks' demographics:

Scale OperatorScale Clerk
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 41.3% Female, 58.7%Male, 20.1% Female, 79.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 58.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 22.4% Asian, 4.7% White, 57.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between scale operator and scale clerk duties and responsibilities

Scale operator example responsibilities.

  • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
  • Enter payroll accurately and run weekly reports timely.
  • Check loads (trucks) for size of product, correct PPE.
  • Detail orient with good math skills.
  • Write citations for different NC state laws.
  • Scale operator, loading a weighting asphalt trucks.
  • Show more

Scale clerk example responsibilities.

  • Monitor CB and phone incoming/outgoing traffic.
  • Used CB radio while communicating with plant workers.
  • Make sure all visitors are MSHA train and equip with proper safety attire.
  • Maintain cleanliness of the company warehouse, operate warehouse machinery and organize the warehouse to ensure proper product placement.
  • Prepare confidential reports, PowerPoint presentations, correspondence, organizational charts and other documents as required.

Scale operator vs scale clerk skills

Common scale operator skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • Basic Math, 8%
  • Math, 7%
  • Scale Tickets, 7%
  • Outbound Trucks, 6%
  • Asphalt, 5%
Common scale clerk skills
  • Data Entry, 21%
  • Harvest, 18%
  • Office Equipment, 17%
  • Fax Machines, 11%
  • Strong Customer Service, 5%
  • Asphalt, 5%

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