Logisticians held about 174,900 jobs in 2018. The largest employers of logisticians were as follows:
| Manufacturing | 24% |
| Federal government | 18 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 16 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 10 |
| Wholesale trade | 9 |
Logisticians work in almost every industry. 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.
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 to manufacturing plants or distribution centers.
Work Schedules
The majority of logisticians work full time and they sometimes work overtime to ensure that operations stay on schedule.
A bachelor’s degree is typically required for most positions, although an associate’s degree may be sufficient for some logistician jobs. In some cases, related work experience may substitute for education. Industry certification is helpful for jobseekers.
Education
Logisticians may qualify for some positions with an associate’s degree. However, due to complex logistics and supply chains, companies prefer to hire workers who have at least a bachelor’s degree. Many logisticians have a bachelor’s degree in business, systems engineering, or supply chain management.
Bachelor’s degree programs often include coursework in operations and database management, and system dynamics. In addition, most programs offer courses that train students on software and technologies commonly used by logisticians, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID).
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Although not required, certification can demonstrate professional competence and a broad knowledge of logistics. Logisticians can obtain certification through APICS or the International Society of Logistics (SOLE). To become certified, a logistician typically needs to meet education and work experience requirements and pass an exam.
There are several certifications available from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). These certifications are required for Department of Defense acquisitions.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Some employers allow applicants to substitute work experience in place of a specific degree. Previous work experience in a field related to logistics, supply chains, or business can be beneficial. Some gain work experience while working in a logistical support role, such as dispatchers and clerks or while serving in the military. Experience allows a worker to learn about production and supply chain processes.
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 carry out logistical plans. They often must find ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Customer service skills. Logisticians must know the needs of their customers in order to coordinate the movement of materials between suppliers and customers. They gain this knowledge through listening to the customer and applying their knowledge of the products and systems to provide what is required.
Organizational skills. Logisticians must be able to keep detailed records and simultaneously manage several projects in a fast-paced environment.
Problem-solving skills. Logisticians must handle unforeseen issues, such as delivery problems, and adjust plans as needed to resolve the issues.
Logisticians typically have an interest in the Persuading and Organizing interest areas, according to the Holland Code framework. The Persuading interest area indicates a focus on influencing, motivating, and selling to other people. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems.
If you are not sure whether you have a Persuading or Organizing interest which might fit with a career as a logistician, you can take a career test to measure your interests.
Logisticians should also possess the following specific qualities:
Communication skills. Logisticians need strong communication skills in order 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 perform several tasks at one time, keep detailed records, and simultaneously manage several projects in a fast-paced environment.
Problem-solving skills. Logisticians must handle unforeseen issues, such as delivery problems, and adjust plans as needed to resolve the issues.
The median annual wage for logisticians was $74,750 in May 2019. 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 $44,020, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $120,400.
In May 2019, the median annual wages for logisticians in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Federal government | $85,450 |
| Manufacturing | 76,480 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 75,010 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 72,340 |
| Wholesale trade | 65,820 |
The majority of logisticians work full time and they sometimes work overtime to ensure that operations stay on schedule.
Employment of logisticians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven, in part, by the need for logistics in the transportation of goods in a global economy.
The performance of the logistical and supply chain process is an important factor in a company’s profitability. Companies rely on logisticians to manage the movement of their products and supplies. Supply and distribution systems have become increasingly complex as they continue to try to gain more efficiencies at minimal cost. Employment is expected to grow as companies need more logisticians to move products more efficiently, solve problems, and identify areas for improvement. However, this growth may be limited by mergers of third-party logistics companies.
Job Prospects
Overall job opportunities should be good because of employment growth and the need to replace the logisticians who are expected to retire or otherwise leave the occupation. Prospects should be best for candidates who have previous experience using logistical software or doing logistical work for the military.
For more information about logisticians, including certification, visit
Defense Acquisition University
International Society of Logistics