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Material Controller I Salary in the United States

How much does a Material Controller I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Material Controller I in the United States is $39,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Material Controller I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $45,856
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,970 to $42,870
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,674
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Material Controller I Salaries

A Material Controller I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Material Controller Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Material Controller I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Material Controller I (0-1 years): $39,583
  • Intermediate Expeditor (1-3 years): $46,074
  • Material Controller III (3-5 years): $52,172
  • Material Controller IV (5-7 years): $66,134
  • Materials Distribution Supervisor (7+ years): $86,800
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Material Controller I0-1 years$39,583
Intermediate Expeditor1-3 years$46,074
Material Controller III3-5 years$52,172
Material Controller IV5-7 years$66,134
Materials Distribution Supervisor7+ years$86,800
View as Graph

How Do Material Controller I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Material Controller Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $43,830.
  • California: $43,670.
  • Massachusetts: $43,080.

Top Paying Cities for Material Controller Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $49,930
  • San Francisco: $49,380
  • Oakland: $48,340

What Skills Can Increase a Material Controller I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 4.82% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 2.52% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
  • Production Schedule (Mentioned in 1.63% Job Postings): Is a project plan of how the production budget will be spent over a given timescale, for every phase of a business project.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 4.82%
Microsoft Office 2.52%
Production Schedule 1.63%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Material Controller I's salary.

  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 28%.
  • Presentation: Can increase your salary by up to 26%.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Leadership $50,675
28%
Presentation $49,883
26%
Coordination $47,112
19%
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Material Controller I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Material Controller I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $44,243. While startup companies pay approximate $37,425.

Material Controller I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $37,425
Growth Stage 51~500 $39,581
Established 501~5000 $42,723
Enterprise 5000+ $44,243

Material Controller I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Material Controller I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Material Controller positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Retail & Wholesale typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Material Controller I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Material Controller I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$51,467$25.030%
Financial Services$47,508$23.020%
Energy & Utilities$45,528$22.015%
Internet$45,528$22.015%
Biotechnology$43,549$21.010%

How Education impacts a Material Controller I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Material Controller Is enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Material Controller I with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $39,837 and $43,166).

Material Controller I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Material Controller I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 35.5%
High School 35.5%
Associates 22.4%
Bachelors 36.8%
Masters 5.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Material Controller I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Material Controller I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$35,970
Average $39,590/year
$42,870
$2,998
Average $3,299/month
$3,573
$692
Average $761/week
$824
$17
Average $19/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,870 $3,573 $824 $21
Average $39,590 $3,299 $761 $19
25th Percentile $35,970 $2,998 $692 $17

Material Controller I Salary Growth & Career Path

Material Controller I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Material Controller I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Material Demand Planning Supervisor $86,300 118%
Intermediate Expeditor $46,100 16%

Most common benefits for Material Controller I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Material Controller I

Here are companies hiring for Material Controller I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Material Controller I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Material Controller I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Material Controller I roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. What is the monthly salary of controller?

The monthly salary for a Material Controller ranges from GHS 3,319 (MinSalary: GHS 39,830) to GHS 4,301 (MidSalary: GHS 45,240) and can go up to GHS 4,676 (MaxSalary: GHS 51,610). This reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibility within the role.

3. How much does a controller earn in USA?

How Much Does a Material Controller Make in the US? The salary for a Material Controller ranges from $39,830 to $51,610, with a mid-range salary of $45,240. This reflects the varying levels of experience and responsibilities within the role.

4. Is controller an entry level job?

A Material Controller is typically not an entry-level position. It requires experience in inventory management and supply chain processes. Salaries for this role range from $39,830 to $51,610, with a mid-point of $45,240, reflecting the expertise needed to effectively manage materials and ensure efficient operations.

5. What does a materials controller do?

The Materials Controller is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of materials movements and storage within the site. This role ensures that the labeling and recording of materials comply with warehouse management procedures. The salary for this position ranges from $39,830 to $51,610, with a midpoint of $45,240.

6. What skill is material controller?

The most important skills for a Material Controller include Scheduling, Vendor Management, Purchase Orders, Inventory Management, Invoicing, Trucking, and Technical expertise. The salary range for this position typically falls between $39,830 and $51,610, with a mid-salary of $45,240, reflecting the value of these essential skills in the industry.

7. Is a controller a stressful job?

The role of a Material Controller can be demanding, often requiring attention to detail and effective communication. While it may involve stress due to tight deadlines and inventory management, the salary range reflects the importance of the position, with earnings between $39,830 and $51,610, depending on experience and responsibilities.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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