Logisticians

Summary

What Logisticians Do About this section

Logisticians manage the life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is distributed and delivered.

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain, the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage a product’s entire life cycle, from design to disposal.

Duties

Logisticians typically do the following:

• Oversee product acquisition
• Direct the allocation of materials, supplies, and products
• Forecast and direct the alignment of a product’s demand and supply flows
• Monitor and manage product risk
• Manage business systems, including their selection and implementation
• Review logistical functions and identify areas for improvement
• Serve as a liaison between an organization and its suppliers or customers
• Propose strategies to minimize costs or time required to deliver goods

Logisticians oversee activities related to purchasing, transportation, inventory, and warehousing. They organize and direct the movement of goods, people, and equipment, including manufacturing components, consumer products, and military personnel and supplies.

Logisticians choose, integrate, and implement software for systems that help them to plan and track product movement. They use these systems to manage their organization’s data and administrative functions, such as for procurement.

Some logisticians have other duties, such as training and managing clerical staff. Logisticians may work closely with, or under the supervision of, supply chain managers and project management specialists.

Work Environment About this section

Logisticians ensure that operations stay on schedule and work quickly to resolve problems that arise.

Logisticians held about 237,100 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of logisticians were as follows:

Logisticians work in many industries. Some logisticians work in the logistical department of a company, and others work for firms that specialize in logistical work, such as freight-shipping companies.

Logisticians’ work is fast paced and therefore may be stressful. They must ensure that operations stay on schedule, working quickly to solve problems that arise. Some logisticians travel, such as to visit manufacturing plants or distribution centers.

Work Schedules

Most logisticians work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Depending on the position, logisticians may need to work nonstandard hours. For example, manufacturing industries may require logisticians to work flexible hours, evening shifts, or weekends.

How to Become a Logistician About this section

Logisticians use interpersonal skills when collaborating with colleagues, suppliers, and customers.

Logisticians typically need a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation. Employers often prefer to hire candidates who have experience in a related occupation. In some cases, work experience may substitute for education.

Education

Logisticians typically need a bachelor’s degree, although less education may be sufficient for some jobs. Bachelor's degree programs may be in fields such as logistics and supply chain management, business, or related disciplines. Coursework includes accounting, economics, procurement, and other business topics.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Although not required, certification demonstrates professional competence and a broad knowledge of logistics. Certifications include those available through the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) and the International Society of Logistics (SOLE). Certifications available from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) are required for Department of Defense acquisitions. 

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

Logisticians may benefit from work experience in a field related to logistics, supply chains, or business. Some get experience while working in a logistical support role, such as material recording clerks, or while serving in the military. Others gain experience by participating in internships during college.

Some employers allow candidates to substitute work experience for a specific degree.

Advancement

Experienced logisticians may advance to become supply chain managers or project management specialists. Education, experience, and other requirements may vary by employer and industry.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Logisticians must be able to convey information to their business associates, including suppliers and customers.

Critical-thinking skills. Logisticians must develop, adjust, and carry out plans that maximize efficiency.

Customer service skills. Logisticians must understand the needs of their customers when coordinating the movement of goods, supplies, and equipment.

Interpersonal skills. Logisticians need to collaborate with colleagues, suppliers, and customers.

Organizational skills. Logisticians must be able to keep detailed records and manage many responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

Problem-solving skills. Logisticians must be able to handle unforeseen issues, such as delivery problems, and adjust plans as needed to resolve the issues.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for logisticians was $79,400 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $47,990, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $128,550.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for logisticians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

The majority of logisticians work full time and they sometimes work overtime to ensure that operations stay on schedule.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of logisticians is projected to grow 19 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 26,100 openings for logisticians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

As the growth of e-commerce makes logistics more dynamic and complex, logisticians will be in demand to move products more efficiently, solve problems, and identify areas for improvement. The increased volume of inventory and need to manage multiple supply chains have made logisticians' work critical. In addition, as more goods are purchased online, timeliness of delivery remains a priority for companies, further increasing demand for these workers.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Logisticians

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about logisticians, including certification, visit

Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM)

Council of Logistics Engineering Professionals (CLEP)

Defense Acquisition University

International Society of Logistics (SOLE)

O*NET

Logisticians

Logistics Analysts

Logistics Engineers