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Careers›Roles›Production Control Expert
Mid-Level

Production Control Expert

You make sure the right things get made in the right order at the right time, planning and scheduling production so a plant runs smoothly. Choreographing what a factory makes, and when.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
R
I
E
S
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Production Control Experts
Administrative ServicesManufacturing · 70%Professional Services · 15%Wholesale & Distribution · 5%Transportation & Logistics · 2%Construction · 1%
Job markets for Production Control Experts
Employment concentration · ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Engineering
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Production Control Expert

The work runs through planning production schedules, coordinating materials and capacity, tracking progress, and adjusting fast when things change. The day is mostly juggling competing priorities in real time, and when the schedule slips, the whole plant feels it, so you're constantly rebalancing.

What's harder than people expect is the pressure when reality breaks the plan: a late shipment or a machine down cascades through everything. You sit between sales, the floor, and suppliers, everyone's deadlines land on your schedule, and you stay calm while things shift. Settings are manufacturing and supply-chain operations.

It tends to fit someone organized, level-headed, and good under shifting pressure. If you want predictable days or hate firefighting, the constant churn can wear. But if you like the puzzle of keeping production flowing and the satisfaction of a plant that runs on time, the work tends to be genuinely central.

What people in this role value
SupportAbove avg
AchievementAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
RecognitionModerate
Working ConditionsModerate
RelationshipsLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Technology & Information$117K+15%
Professional Services$103K+1%
Energy & Utilities$87K-14%
Financial Services$86K-16%
Wholesale & Distribution$74K-28%
Compared to Engineering average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Production Control Experts (SOC 17-2112.00, 17-3026.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Engineering →
Production Control ExpertProject ManagerArchitectural Project ManagerCivil Project Manager (Civil PM)Electrical Project Manager (Electrical PM)Systems EngineerTest TechnicianProject EngineerField Service TechnicianProcess EngineerBusiness Process AnalystService TechnicianQuality EngineerPlant EngineerMaterials PlannerReliability EngineerManufacturing PlannerFacilities EngineerQuality Assurance Engineer (QA Engineer)Methods EngineerSupplier Quality Engineer (SQE)Research and Development Engineer (R and D Engineer)Field Service EngineerField EngineerProduction Planner+1 more
Exploring the Production Control Expert career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$46K–$157K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
424K
U.S. Employment
+6.35%
10yr Growth
32K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$77K$74K$71K$68K$65K201920202021202220232024$65K$77K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingActive ListeningComplex Problem SolvingCritical ThinkingWritingComplex Problem Solving
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
17-2112.0017-3026.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

midProject Manager$134KmidArchitectural Project Manager$168KmidCivil Project Manager (Civil PM)$168KmidElectrical Project Manager (Electrical PM)$168KmidSystems Engineer$110KseniorSenior Systems Engineer$110K
View all Engineering roles →

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.