Mid-Level

Unit Control Clerk

The unit-control record anchors the work — at warehouses, distribution centers, or production facilities, unit control clerks maintain the unit-level records that track items, lots, or work-in-process through the operation.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
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Work Personality
C
R
I
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A
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Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Realistichands-on, practical
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Unit Control Clerks
Employment concentration · ~177 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Unit Control Clerk

The unit-control system is where most of the working hours land — unit-level tracking entries, lot identification, work-in-process records, completion confirmations, the documentation that ties physical items to system records. You're often between the floor or warehouse and the system records. Unit-tracking accuracy and documentation integrity anchor the visible measures.

Where it gets demanding is the documentation rigor for regulated or traceability-driven industries — pharma, medical-device, aerospace, and food all require unit-level traceability with regulatory implications. Variance across employers is real: at major regulated manufacturers and distributors unit control runs within structured traceability programs; at smaller operations the role combines unit control with broader inventory work.

It fits people who are detail-precise, system-fluent, and methodical about tracking work. The trade-off is the documentation rigor combined with modest pay typical of clerical unit-control positions. Industry credentials anchor advancement.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
IndependenceLower
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
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.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Unit Control Clerks (SOC 43-5111.00), 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.
Exploring the Unit Control Clerk 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.

$35K–$60K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
50K
U.S. Employment
-4.8%
10yr Growth
5K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$64K$61K$59K$56K$53K201920202021202220232024$53K$64K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringSpeakingActive ListeningCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessQuality Control AnalysisService OrientationPersuasion
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
43-5111.00

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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.