Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks

Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed

Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $59,650/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$40,080$86,000

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: -1.8% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.

About 34,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

SpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningTime ManagementCritical ThinkingMonitoringWritingComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationSocial Perceptiveness

Top knowledge areas

Production and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageAdministrativeAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsMathematicsTransportation

Core tasks

• Distribute production schedules or work orders to departments.

• Revise production schedules when required due to design changes, labor or material shortages, backlogs, or other interruptions, collaborating with management, marketing, sales, production, or engineering.

• Review documents, such as production schedules, work orders, or staffing tables, to determine personnel or materials requirements or material priorities.

• Arrange for delivery, assembly, or distribution of supplies or parts to expedite flow of materials and meet production schedules.

• Confer with establishment personnel, vendors, or customers to coordinate production or shipping activities and to resolve complaints or eliminate delays.

• Requisition and maintain inventories of materials or supplies necessary to meet production demands.

• Confer with department supervisors or other personnel to assess progress and discuss needed changes.

• Plan production commitments or timetables for business units, specific programs, or jobs, using sales forecasts.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks?

The median pay for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks is $59,650 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks?

Employment for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks is projected to change -1.8% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.

What education is typically required for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks?

About 34,100 openings per year, on average, over the decade.