Average Salary with a Logistics Degree

Do you think that a career in logistics and supply chain management is for you? An obvious question as you consider this career is how much money you can potentially earn.

The factors that affect one’s average salary in the logistics field are numerous:

• What type of degree you have – bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral
• Where you live in the US or overseas
• The specific industry you work in – manufacturing, IT, consumer goods, etc.

This article will describe the myriad factors that determine what you can earn with a logistics or supply chain management degree. We first however should explain what you will do in a career in logistics.

A logistics degree is important in the world economy today due to the massive amount of freight that is moved each year. In the US alone, approximately 18 billion tons of freight is transported each year. MarketWatch reports that the logistics industry is valued at more than $15 billion here as of 2019. So professionals who work in logistics have a very important job on which the world economy depends.

Working in logistics requires each a bachelor’s or master’s degree in logistics or supply chain management. Course in these programs often include subjects such as operations, database management, system dynamics, and supply chain management fundamentals. Professionals in logistics also are often trained in technologies and software that make it easier to track materials across the world, such as RFID technology.

Most bachelor’s programs in logistics will take approximately four years to complete, and master’s degrees take two years. More accelerated online degree options are available today. So it is possible in some cases to take six months to one year off of those numbers.

Schools and Colleges Offering Online Logistics Programs

More high quality, non-profit colleges are offering top rated logistics and supply chain management programs online. Today there are more distance learning options available than ever. It has never been easier to earn your logistics degree on your own time while continuing with your work obligations. Check out our featured online degree programs below.

Bachelor’s Degree

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers a very affordable, solid Bachelor of Science in Operations Management, with a specialty in logistics and transportation. This is a good potential fit for experienced  business professionals and military professionals who want to work in operations and supply chain management.

This is a 100% online degree program that looks at the many complicated processes that are vital to effective supply chain management. Covered topics include moving and storing critical supplies, works in progress and finished materials.

The curriculum for a logistics and transportation degree at SNHU covers reverse logistics, management of transportation, integrated supply chain management and logistics management.

Master’s Degree

Colorado Technical University (CTU)

This 100% online university offers an MBA in Logistics Management offered by Colorado Technical University (CTU), may prepare you for a broad range of logistics roles in either the military, government of private sector.

Students have the opportunity to explore the philosophy behind managerial supply chains as well as logistics concepts and how to implement them effectively in a progressive manufacturing environment.

CTU’s online MBA graduate business programs are ranked among the Best Online Programs by U.S. News and World Report. CTU is highly ranked in our top 50 most affordable online MBA programs.

Classes may include:

• Intermodal Transportation/Logistics in Inclement Environments
• Transportation and Logistics Operations in Enriched and Impaired Environments
• Transportation/Logistics Security in Enriched and Impaired Environments
• Inventory Process Management and Control
• Inventory and Supply Chain Management
• Reverse Inventory Management & Financial Implications

Average Logistics Salary by Career

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides annual updates of the median yearly salary for hundreds of US occupations. Below are some of the most common positions within the logistics field, and their most recent median wages according to the BLS.

Logistician

Logisticians perform analysis and coordination of the supply chain in an organization. This is the system that moves products from the supplier or manufacturer to the consumer or end user. A skilled logistician manages the whole life cycle of the product. This lifecycle includes how the product is acquired, distributed, allocated and finally delivered.

A logistician typically handles the following tasks each day:

• Manage and oversee the logistical aspects of the life cycle of a product from its initial design to its final disposal
• Direct how supplies, products and materials are allocated
• Understand the needs of each client and understand how to direct the supply chain to met them
• Devise logistical strategies that reduce the time or cost that is required to move various goods and services
• Propose ways to improve the supply chain to customers and executives

The median salary for logisticians in 2020 was $76,270. The median wage in various industries for logisticians was:

• Federal government: $88,280
• Professional and technical services: $72,510
• Manufacturing: $77,840
• Management of companies: $76,900
• Wholesale trade: $66,130

Operations Research Analyst

Operations research analysts use analytical and mathematical methods to assist organizations to solve problems and make better business decisions. These decision may lead to higher profitability and superior efficiency.

Operations research analysts typically have the following roles:

• Identify what the business challenges are in an organization; these can be related to logistics, supply chain, healthcare and many others
• Collect and organize relevant information from many sources: computer databases, sales records and feedback from customers
• Collect input and data from employees who work in various aspects related to the issue
• Examine all of the related business data to determine what is most important to solve the problem and the methods that can be used to analyze it
• Utilize statistical analysis, predictive modeling and simulations to develop superior logistics solutions to complex business problems

Operations research analysts play a very important role to help managers on how to best allocate scarce resources; develop efficient production schedules; and to manage the entire supply chain.

The median salary for operations research analysts was $86,200 in 2020. Median salaries by industry were as follows:

• Federal government: $119,720
• Manufacturing: $94,340
• Professional and technical services: $85,950
• Management of companies: $91,000
• Finance and insurance: $86,280

Management Analyst

Management analysts propose innovative ways to increase the efficiency of an organization. They typically offer expert advice to senior managers about how to make the company more profitable. This usually involves reducing costs and boosting revenues.

Many management analysts work for a single company that they do their analysis for. But others may be entrepreneurs who work for different clients at given times.

Some management analysts often specialize in certain parts of business consulting, such as logistics, inventory management or the reorganization of company structures.

The median salary for all management analysts in 2020 was $87,660.

Cities With the Highest Logistics Pay

There are certain parts of the country with more demand for logistics-related professionals than others. The cities featuring the most robust job demand today are:

• Los Angeles: This city is the second-biggest in the US and it currently has the busiest port in the country.
• Chicago: Its location on Lake Michigan as well as on two rivers gives well situated Chicago many options for moving freight. And Chicago O’Hare Airport is one of the tops in the US in terms of moving cargo.
• Houston: The Port of Houston is one of the busiest ports, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport handles a huge amount of foreign goods each year.
• Memphis: This Tennessee city has a great natural location on the Mississippi River. But even more important today is that FedEx’s main hub is here, and makes Memphis a critical logistical center.

Career Outlook for Logisticians

The job outlook for logisticians specifically is average; there will be 4% increase in job demand by 2029. However, it is expected that some related positions will see very rapid growth. One of these is operations research analyst, which should see 25% growth by 2029.

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job growth figures for logisticians, operations research analysts, and management analysts represents national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data Accessed May 2021.