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Supply technician vs distribution technician

The differences between supply technicians and distribution technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a supply technician has an average salary of $36,280, which is higher than the $33,564 average annual salary of a distribution technician.

The top three skills for a supply technician include customer service, patients and inventory management. The most important skills for a distribution technician are patients, computer system, and data entry.

Supply technician vs distribution technician overview

Supply TechnicianDistribution Technician
Yearly salary$36,280$33,564
Hourly rate$17.44$16.14
Growth rate1%1%
Number of jobs34,106154,925
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Average age3838
Years of experience--

What does a supply technician do?

In a warehouse setting, a supply technician is responsible for handling all the incoming and outgoing products, ensuring accuracy in inventory and logistics. Most of the time, they are in charge of maintaining and keeping records, loading and unloading shipments and deliveries, verifying invoices, and processing documents. A supply technician often works under the supervision of a manager or supervisor, and it is essential to report any complicated issues that need to be resolved. Furthermore, one must adhere to the policies and regulations and maintain a safe environment for everyone.

What does a distribution technician do?

A distribution technician has a variety of duties and responsibilities, including collecting and delivering materials, receiving documents, packages, and messages, and transporting them safely to their destination. Other tasks that you will likely perform include managing the inventory and completing data entry, preparing documentation and reports, and coordinating logistics for the shipment of products. Additional duties include providing quality service to customers and distributors, resolving inventory discrepancies, and collecting and updating customer information. You may also be tasked to conduct field and laboratory testing of construction materials.

Supply technician vs distribution technician salary

Supply technicians and distribution technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Supply TechnicianDistribution Technician
Average salary$36,280$33,564
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $51,000Between $26,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CAVallejo, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyApplied MaterialsBrigham and Women's Hospital
Best paying industryTechnologyUtilities

Differences between supply technician and distribution technician education

There are a few differences between a supply technician and a distribution technician in terms of educational background:

Supply TechnicianDistribution Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Supply technician vs distribution technician demographics

Here are the differences between supply technicians' and distribution technicians' demographics:

Supply TechnicianDistribution Technician
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 61.3% Female, 38.7%Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.4% Asian, 7.2% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between supply technician and distribution technician duties and responsibilities

Supply technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the accountability of all battalion CTA, TDA, and MTOE equipment.
  • Manage appropriate disposal of expire pharmaceutical products in accordance with HAZMAT regulations.
  • Cataloge property, maintain property records and manage inventory using PBUSE system.
  • Perform and record daily testing of sterility of all autoclaves and Sterrad in the hospital.
  • Assist with the hazardous material (HAZMAT) team with classification, segregation and documentation of hazardous materials.
  • Operate automatic washer/decontamination unit, all autoclaves and the Sterrad sterilizer.
  • Show more

Distribution technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage all aspects of verifying incoming items and outgoing customer material release orders (MRO )
  • Manage and monitor KPI's, departmental metrics and ensure all checks and balances are in place.
  • Purchase raw materials in order to support manufacturing per MRP requirements.
  • Ensure office are neat, orderly and secure to meet FDA standards.
  • Utilize troubleshooting and problem-solving skills resolving conflicts/issues in item master and BOM data.
  • Load and unload trailers using RF scanner to ensure order/weight distribution accurate to customer order.
  • Show more

Supply technician vs distribution technician skills

Common supply technician skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Inventory Management, 6%
  • Storage Management, 5%
  • DOD, 4%
  • Data Entry, 3%
Common distribution technician skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Computer System, 8%
  • Data Entry, 7%
  • Medical Equipment, 5%
  • Customer Service, 4%
  • Basic Math, 4%

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