Ready to Launch Your Career into High Gear? Find Out How Much Logisticians Make Today!

Logistics is a critical function in many industries, and logisticians play a key role in ensuring that goods and materials are transported, stored, and delivered efficiently and effectively. As a result, logisticians are in high demand and often command competitive salaries.

So, just how much does a logistician make? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for logisticians was $74,590 in 2021. The median hourly wage for logisticians in the United States is $35.93. 

The top 10 percent of logisticians earned more than $111,190 per year, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $47,940. This figure can vary depending on several factors, including your level of education, experience, location, industry and specialized skills.

Education level

Logisticians with a bachelor's degree tend to earn higher salaries than those with a high school diploma or associate's degree. Additionally, those with advanced degrees in logistics, supply chain management, or a related field are often able to earn higher salaries and may have more opportunities for advancement within the field.

• A logistician with a high school diploma or equivalent may earn an hourly wage of around $25-$30.
• A logistician with an associate's degree may earn an hourly wage of around $30-$35.
• A logistician with a bachelor's degree may earn an hourly wage of around $35-$45.
• A logistician with a master's degree or higher may earn an hourly wage of around $45-$60 or more.

Experience

Your salary as a logistician may increase over time as you gain more experience and take on additional responsibilities. Many logisticians advance to management positions, such as supply chain manager or logistics director, as they gain experience and demonstrate their ability to lead and manage complex logistics operations. These management positions often come with higher salaries and more opportunities for professional development and advancement.

Location

Salaries for logisticians can vary depending on your location. For example, logisticians in the San Francisco Bay Area typically earn higher salaries than those in other parts of the country due to the high cost of living in the region.

• Logisticians working in cities with a high cost of living, such as San Francisco, New York, or Washington D.C., may earn higher hourly wages, ranging from $45-$65 or more.
• Logisticians working in smaller cities or rural areas may earn lower hourly wages, ranging from $30-$40.

Industry

Logisticians working in industries with high demand for logistics services, such as retail and manufacturing, may earn higher salaries. Additionally, logisticians working for large multinational corporations tend to earn higher salaries than those working for smaller companies.

Specialized skills 

Logisticians with specialized skills, such as proficiency in a particular logistics software or expertise in international logistics, may be able to command higher salaries. Additionally, logisticians with experience in project management, Lean Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies may also be able to earn higher salaries.

Highest-Paying Jobs

The highest-paying jobs in logistics typically involve management positions and specialized roles that require advanced education and experience. Some examples of high-paying logistics jobs include:

• Supply Chain Director: Supply chain directors are responsible for overseeing and managing a company's entire supply chain operations, from procurement to delivery. The median annual salary for supply chain directors is $130,000.
• Logistics Manager: Logistics managers are responsible for overseeing the transportation, storage, and delivery of goods. The median annual salary for logistics managers is $75,000.
• Transportation Manager: Transportation managers are responsible for managing a company's transportation operations, including the scheduling and dispatch of vehicles, routes, and delivery schedules. The median annual salary for transportation managers is $75,000.
• Procurement Manager: Procurement managers are responsible for managing the purchasing and sourcing of goods and materials for a company. The median annual salary for procurement managers is $90,000.

The BLS notes that the highest paying industries for logisticians are the federal government, the scientific research and development services industry, and the computer and electronic product manufacturing industry.

It's important to keep in mind that salary can vary greatly depending on the specific company, industry, location, and other factors. It's also worth noting that many high-paying logistics jobs may also require a master's degree or other advanced education, as well as several years of experience in the field.

Your salary as a logistician may increase over time as you gain more experience and take on additional responsibilities. Many logisticians advance to management positions, such as supply chain manager or logistics director, as they gain experience and demonstrate their ability to lead and manage complex logistics operations. These management positions often come with higher salaries and more opportunities for professional development and advancement.

By pursuing additional education and training, building a specialized skill set, and gaining experience, you can increase your earning potential and advance in the field of logistics.