Logisticians

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.

Logisticians held about 241,000 jobs in 2024. 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.

Logisticians typically need a bachelor’s degree, although less education may be sufficient for some jobs. Employers may prefer work experience, especially when hiring candidates who do not have a degree.

The median annual wage for logisticians was $80,880 in May 2024.

Employment of logisticians is projected to grow 17 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 26,400 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.