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Manufacturing
Toyota, Whirlpool, GE Appliances
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks
These clerks keep production moving by turning forecasts, work orders, and staffing tables into schedules, material requests, and delivery priorities. The job is a constant balancing act: much of the day is spent in software and on the phone, but the real challenge is absorbing shortages, backlog, and design changes without letting the line stop.
Also known as Production Control ClerkProduction PlannerProduction SchedulerManufacturing PlannerMaterials Coordinator
Median Salary
$57,770
Mean $60,420
U.S. Workforce
~385K
34.1K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-1.8%
388.8K to 381.7K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~385K workers, with a median annual pay of $57,770 and roughly 34.1K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 388.8 K in 2024 to 381.7K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Production Clerk and can progress toward Supply Chain Manager. High-value skills usually include Microsoft Excel, ERP & MRP Systems, Production Scheduling Software, and Inventory Management Systems, paired with soft skills such as Reading Comprehension, Speaking, and Active Listening.
Core Responsibilities
- Send work orders and schedules to the right departments so each team knows what to do next.
- Check whether parts and supplies are on hand, then order more before a shortage slows production.
- Talk with supervisors, vendors, and customers to track progress, fix delays, and handle complaints.
- Review staffing, job paperwork, and production plans to figure out what people and materials are needed.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Send work orders and schedules to the right departments so each team knows what to do next.
02 Check whether parts and supplies are on hand, then order more before a shortage slows production.
03 Talk with supervisors, vendors, and customers to track progress, fix delays, and handle complaints.
04 Review staffing, job paperwork, and production plans to figure out what people and materials are needed.
05 Speed up deliveries or assembly steps when materials need to move faster to meet the schedule.
06 Update schedules when designs change, supplies run short, or backlogs build up.
Industries That Hire
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Automotive
Ford, General Motors, Tesla
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Aerospace & Defense
Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon
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Consumer Goods
Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, Unilever
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Electronics & Appliances
Samsung, Apple, Dell
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Logistics & Distribution
Amazon, UPS, DHL
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a clerical role, with a median of $57,770 and a mean of $60,420.
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You can enter the job without a degree; the usual starting point is a high school diploma or equivalent.
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There are still about 34.1 thousand annual openings, so turnover creates steady chances to get hired.
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The work builds useful skills in Excel, scheduling, inventory tracking, and cross-team coordination.
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It can open a path into production control, supply chain, or operations management.
Challenges
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The field is projected to shrink by 1.8%, with employment falling from 388.8 thousand to 381.7 thousand by 2034.
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A lot of the job is firefighting shortages, backlog, and schedule changes, so the work can feel reactive instead of orderly.
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Routine scheduling and record keeping are vulnerable to ERP software and automation, which can reduce the need for some clerical tasks.
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Pay can plateau unless you move into supervision or broader supply chain roles, so the job can have a fairly narrow ceiling.
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You often have to work around problems you do not control, such as supplier delays, design changes, or labor gaps.
Career Progression
Production Clerk
0-2 years
$34K-$45K
Handles basic paperwork, updates records, and learns how production orders, materials, and schedules fit together.
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerk
2-5 years
$52K-$66K
Coordinates schedules, checks material needs, and keeps different departments aligned when plans change.
Senior Production Planner THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$67K-$84K
Builds more complex schedules, resolves recurring bottlenecks, and helps balance customer demand with plant capacity.
Production Control Supervisor
8-12 years
$85K-$103K
Oversees a small team, sets priorities for urgent work, and makes higher-stakes decisions when materials or labor are tight.
Supply Chain Manager
12+ years
$104K-$132K
Leads planning across production, purchasing, and logistics, with more responsibility for budgets, strategy, and performance.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 36.75% of workers in this role, usually paired with moderate-term on-the-job training.
Some college courses
A common alternative route, held by 21.17% of workers, especially for people who studied business, logistics, or operations before applying.
Associate's degree in business, logistics, or supply chain
A smaller but realistic path, held by 13.21% of workers, and it can help applicants move faster into scheduling and inventory work.
Post-secondary certificate in supply chain or production control
Another alternative, held by 9.4% of workers, and useful for people who want a shorter, job-focused route into the field.
Key Skills
Technical
Microsoft Excel, ERP & MRP Systems 84%
Production Scheduling Software 80%
Inventory Management Systems 76%
Demand Forecasting & Capacity Planning Tools 70%
Power BI, Dashboards & Reporting Tools 66%
Soft Skills
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningTime ManagementCritical ThinkingWriting Job Outlook and Trends
+-1.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
34.1K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 388.8K to 381.7 K over the next decade, representing -1.8% growth. Around 34.1 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Limited. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.