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The differences between supply planners and materials planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a supply planner, becoming a materials planner takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a supply planner has an average salary of $70,602, which is higher than the $58,467 average annual salary of a materials planner.
The top three skills for a supply planner include supply chain, logistics and demand planning. The most important skills for a materials planner are supply chain, MRP, and purchase orders.
| Supply Planner | Materials Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $70,602 | $58,467 |
| Hourly rate | $33.94 | $28.11 |
| Growth rate | 28% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 39,798 | 23,019 |
| Job satisfaction | 4 | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 2 |
A supply planner is primarily in charge of maintaining a company's inventory of supplies, ensuring all are sufficient and efficient. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring and counting the inventory, maintaining accurate records, reviewing receipts and other documentation, anticipating product demands, and liaising with vendors and suppliers. Should there be any supply emergencies or issues, one must visit manufacturers or suppliers. There may also be instances where one has to lift products and propose changes in the inventory processes.
Usually working in a manufacturing setting, a materials planner's role is to manage the supply flow and inventory of materials. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with vendors and other external agencies, processing purchase orders, monitoring the quality of supplies to ensure it is according to the standards, and coordinating with various teams to learn their needs. Furthermore, as a planner, it is essential to devise strategies to resolve any issues, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.
Supply planners and materials planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Supply Planner | Materials Planner | |
| Average salary | $70,602 | $58,467 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $101,000 | Between $45,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Oakland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a supply planner and a materials planner in terms of educational background:
| Supply Planner | Materials Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Western Carolina University |
Here are the differences between supply planners' and materials planners' demographics:
| Supply Planner | Materials Planner | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.2% Female, 47.8% | Male, 52.7% Female, 47.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 11% |