Logisticians

Summary

Logisticians coordinate the movement of a company’s goods.

Quick Facts: Logisticians
2010 Median Pay	$70,800 per year $34.04 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	1 to 5 years
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	108,900
Job Outlook, 2010-20	26% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	27,800

What Logisticians Do

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain—the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, distributed, allocated, and delivered.

Work Environment

Logisticians work in nearly every industry. The job can be stressful because logistical work is fast-paced. Most logisticians work full time during regular business hours.

How to Become a Logistician

Although an associate’s degree is sufficient for many logistician jobs, candidates increasingly need a bachelor’s degree to advance beyond entry-level positions.

Pay

The median annual wage of logisticians was $70,800 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of logisticians is expected to grow 26 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven by the important role of logistics in an increasingly global economy. Job prospects should be best for those with a college degree and work experience related to logistics.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logisticians with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about logisticians by contacting these additional resources.

What Logisticians Do About this section

Logisticians direct the acquisition, distribution, and delivery functions of an organization.

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain—the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, distributed, allocated, and delivered.

Duties

Logisticians typically do the following:

• Develop business relationships with suppliers and customers
• Work to understand customers’ needs and how to meet them
• Direct the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished products
• Design strategies to minimize the cost or time required to move goods
• Review the success of logistical functions and identify areas for improvement
• Present performance data to management
• Propose improvements to management and customers
• Stay current on advances in logistics technology and incorporate new technologies into procedures

Logisticians oversee activities including purchasing, shipping and transportation, inventory, warehousing, and delivery. They may direct the movement of a range of goods, people, or supplies, from common consumer goods to military supplies.

Logisticians use sophisticated software systems to plan and track the movement of goods. They operate software programs specifically tailored to manage logistical functions, such as procurement, inventory management, and other supply chain planning and management systems.

Work Environment About this section

When problems arise, logisticians must respond quickly and devise solutions.

Logisticians held about 108,900 jobs in 2010 and work in nearly every industry. The federal government employed the largest number of logisticians, many of whom were civilians doing logistical work for the military. Some logisticians work in the logistical department of a company, and others work for firms that specialize in logistical work, such as a freight shipping company. In 2010, the industries employing the largest number of logisticians were as follows:

The job can be stressful because logistical work is fast-paced. Logisticians must ensure that operations stay on schedule, and they must work quickly to solve any problems that arise. Some logisticians travel frequently to visit a company’s manufacturing plants or distribution centers.

Work Schedules

Most logisticians work full time during regular business hours. When dealing with delivery problems or other logistical issues, they may work overtime to ensure that operations stay on schedule.

How to Become a Logistician About this section

Logisticians must ensure logistical activities are completed on schedule.

Although an associate’s degree is sufficient for many logistician jobs, candidates increasingly need a bachelor’s degree to advance beyond entry-level positions.

Education

Logisticians can qualify for positions with an associate’s degree in business or engineering or by taking courses on logistics. However, as logistics becomes increasingly complex, more companies prefer to hire workers who have at least a bachelor’s degree. Many logisticians have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business, finance, industrial engineering, or supply chain management.

Certification

Logisticians may get certification through the American Society of Transportation and Logistics (ASTL) or the International Society of Logistics (SOLE). The certification offered by each organization typically requires a combination of education, experience, and passing an exam. Although it is not required, certification can demonstrate professional competence and a broad knowledge of logistics.

Work Experience

Logisticians typically need work experience in a field related to logistics or business. Because military operations require a large amount of logistical work, some logisticians gain work experience while serving in the military. Some firms allow applicants to substitute several years of work experience for a degree.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Logisticians need strong communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and do business with suppliers and customers.

Critical-thinking skills. Logisticians must develop, adjust, and successfully carry out logistical plans, and they often must find ways to cut costs and improve efficiency.

Organizational skills. Logisticians must be able to do several tasks at one time, keep detailed records, and manage several projects at once in a fast-paced workplace.

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

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of logisticians was $70,800 in May 2010. 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 $43,530, and the top 10 percent earned more than $108,080.

Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of logisticians in May 2010 were as follows:

Most logisticians work full time during regular business hours. When dealing with delivery problems or other logistical issues, they may work overtime to ensure that operations stay on schedule.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of logisticians is expected to grow 26 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven by the important role logistics play in an increasingly global economy.

Companies rely on logisticians to manage the movement of their products and supplies, which allows the company to compete in a highly globalized market. The performance of a company’s logistical and supply chain process is an important factor in a company’s profitability. Supply and distribution systems have become increasingly complex to maximize efficiency while minimizing cost. Therefore, employment is expected to grow rapidly as companies need logisticians to move products efficiently, solve problems, and identify areas for improvement.

Governments and the military also rely on logisticians. Planning for and moving military supplies and personnel require an enormous amount of logistical work. Employment of logisticians in government and contracting firms will continue to grow to meet the needs of the military.

Job Prospects

Job prospects should be good for those with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, industrial engineering, business, or a related field. Prospects should be best for those with a college degree and work experience related to logistics, particularly previous experience using logistical software or doing logistical work for the military.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For more information about logisticians, including certification, visit

American Society of Transportation and Logistics

International Society of Logistics