Sales Manager
Median wage · national
$148,270
Range: $100K – $207K
Employed
637K
Openings/yr
49K
Typically: bachelor's degree
BUSINESS
Logisticians
Logisticians is one of the fastest-growing occupations in the country, projected to grow +16.7% through 2034. Median pay sits at $82,320 nationally, a strong return for the training investment.
About Logisticians
Analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.
- Median Wage
- $82,320
- Employed Nationally
- 251K
- Openings / Year
- 26,400
- Entry Education
- Bachelor's degree
- Job Zone
- Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
Also known as:
Acquisition Analyst
Automated Logistics Specialist
Client Services Administrator
Delivery Coordinator
Demand Planner
How Much Do Logisticians Make?
Logisticians earn $82,320 nationally, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,440 and $106,190. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$82,320
National Median (Annual)
Above the national median for college graduates.
$64K–$106K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$64,440
Entry-level
$82,320
Median
$106,190
Experienced
What Do Logisticians Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Logisticians roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer's key personnel involved in, or directly relevant to, a logistics activity.
- Develop an understanding of customers' needs and take actions to ensure that such needs are met.
- Manage subcontractor activities, reviewing proposals, developing performance specifications, and serving as liaisons between subcontractors and organizations.
- Develop proposals that include documentation for estimates.
- Review logistics performance with customers against targets, benchmarks, and service agreements.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Systems Analysis
Writing
Systems Evaluation
Complex Problem Solving
Critical Thinking
Who Thrives Here
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
Where Do Logisticians Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Logisticians?
The BLS projects +16.7% employment change for Logisticians through 2034, well above the national average of +5%. About 26,400 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +16.7%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
Much faster than average.
26,400
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
251K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Logisticians professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $82,320 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 28,410 | $90,950 | +10.5% |
| 2 | Texas | 20,880 | $75,360 | -8.5% |
| 3 | Florida | 13,250 | $68,990 | -16.2% |
| 4 | Georgia | 11,190 | $73,880 | -10.3% |
| 5 | Michigan | 11,000 | $80,000 | -2.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Logisticians positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business Administration | 395,227 | $68,257 | 2,611 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Logisticians
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CT | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, CO | 96 | — | — |
| 3 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 4 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Logisticians, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Logisticians pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Logisticians Pros & Cons
Strong earnings and growing demand make Logisticians a compelling path. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
PROS
- Above-average pay At $82,320 median annually, this career pays meaningfully more than most college-graduate roles. Financial return on education is typically strong.
- Exceptional job growth The BLS projects +16.7% employment growth through 2034, one of the fastest rates across all occupations. Demand for qualified candidates should remain elevated for a decade.
- High earning ceiling Top earners (75th percentile) reach $106,190 annually. Strong performers, specialists, and those in high-cost markets have significant upside beyond the median.
- Wide job market 251K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
CONS
- Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $82,320 median while building the experience employers require.
Logisticians Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Logisticians professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Logisticians is $82,320, above the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,440 and $106,190. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Logisticians a good career?
Yes, the data is strong. A $82,320 median with +16.7% projected growth through 2034 is a combination most career fields can't match. The real variable is early career: workers around the 25th percentile earn $64,440, so your first employer and location will shape your trajectory more than the national number suggests.
How long does it take to become a Logisticians?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Business Administration are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $82,320 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
How fast is the Logisticians field growing?
Very fast. The BLS projects +16.7% growth for Logisticians through 2034, well above the roughly 5% national average and among the fastest rates across all occupations. Demand is being driven by structural forces, not cyclical ones. About 26,400 job openings per year are expected as the field expands and existing workers move on. From a current base of 251K workers, sustained growth creates real hiring volume, though fast-growing fields also attract more new graduates competing for entry-level roles.
What skills do Logisticians professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Logisticians roles: Systems Analysis, Writing, Systems Evaluation, Complex Problem Solving, and Critical Thinking. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
Related Findings
-
10 Six-Figure Careers That Do Not Need a Bachelor's Degree
Air traffic controllers earn more than the typical bachelor's-degree career, with an associate degree. The occupations that pay six figures without four years of college.
- No bachelor degree
- High paying careers
- Associate degree
- Trades
- Median wage
-
Does a Master's Degree Pay Off? Barely, on Average
Group every career by the degree it requires and master's-level jobs pay a median of about $91,000, statistically tied with bachelor's-level work. The premium hides in a few fields.
- Master's degree
- Bachelor's degree
- Median wage
- Graduate school
- Career outcomes
-
Growing and Paying $80K Plus: The Careers That Do Both
Only 95 of 385 federal careers both pay a median above $80,000 and grow faster than the typical job. Here is the rare set that clears both bars.
- Career growth
- Median wage
- High-paying careers
- Job outlook
- Career change
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