Logistics Specialist Salary: Your 2024 Guide

Logistics specialists oversee supply chains and ensure that products and goods make it from one destination to another. As a logistics specialist, you strive to meet your clients' needs and provide them with the product they’ve requested in a timely and orderly manner.

The salary of a logistics specialist generally varies due to several factors. These factors may include the location of the job, the level of education you completed, your set of skills, whether you have obtained any certifications pertaining to the role, and how many years of experience you have.

In this article, you’ll discover how much a logistics specialist makes depending on these factors and how the rise in e-commerce affects the demand and, therefore, the job outlook for logisticians.

What is a logistics specialist?

A logistics specialist, also known as a logistician, is responsible for operating a supply chain. When you work as a logistics specialist, you know where a product came from and where it is going. Depending on your specific job duties, you may be responsible for overseeing the conception of a product, the process of it becoming acquired by others, and collecting inventory and sales data.

How much does a logistics specialist make?

According to various job listing sites, the average pay range for logistics specialists ranges from $41,537 to $77,520. The salary ranges given by five different organizations for logistics specialists are as follows [1,2,3,4,5]:

Factors that affect logistic specialist salary

The salary of a logistics specialist typically varies based on your level of education, your experience in the field, the location and industry of your job, and whether or not you’ve completed certifications to enhance your skills and build your resume. Let's examine each factor in greater detail.

Education

The amount of education you complete plays a role in your annual salary. Typically, those with bachelor’s degrees make more than those with associate due to the different amount of credit hours required to complete the degree and the experience you earned from taking more credit hours.

Below are the average annual salaries of logistics specialists based on varying levels of education, according to Zippia [1]:

• High school diploma: $36,961

• Associate degree: $39,504

• Bachelor’s degree: $44,274

• Master’s degree: $48,544

To begin your career as a logistics specialist, you typically need either an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in logistics, business, supply chain management, or a related study area. An associate degree is typically enough for an entry-level position. However, employers tend to hire more experienced logisticians with bachelor’s degrees. It’s recommended that you continue your education and gain experience in the field to get the job and the salary you desire.

Experience

Your level of experience may impact your annual earnings. If you’ve worked in the field longer than others, your annual wages may be higher than that of less experienced workers.

According to Zippia, the annual salary for logistics specialists with varying years of experience are as follows [1]:

• 0–2 years: $31,598

• 3–6 years: $41,537

• 7–12 years: $56,335

The more experience you have in the field, the more likely you will earn a higher wage. You may start in an entry-level position and earn less, but you will eventually work your way up and earn more while gaining more knowledge and experience.

Certifications

Certifications help you build your skill set and become better equipped to perform your job. They help you further develop the skills needed to complete your daily tasks. Earning certifications proves to future employers that you have the knowledge and experience needed to do the job well.

You're generally not required to complete any certifications to become a logistics specialist. However, employers like to see completed certifications as they show that you’ve continued your education and worked on developing your skills. Popular logistician certifications included Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified Master Logistician (CML), and Certification in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD). Completing any of these certifications can help you enhance your skills and further your supply chain knowledge.

Industry

The industry you work in may also impact the amount of money you make. The annual salary may vary if one industry requires more training or education. Additionally, specific roles and responsibilities may differ based on the industry, impacting salary.

According to Zippia, these are the top five highest-paying industries for logistics specialists [1]:

Location

The location of your job may affect your potential earnings. Wages differ based on geographic location due to factors such as cost of living, job demand, and the number of positions available.

Below are the 10 highest-paying cities in the US for logistics specialists and their average annual salaries, according to Zippia [1]:

1. Seattle, WA: $55,069

2. San Francisco, CA: $54,513

3. Philadelphia, PA: $48,155

4. Washington, DC: $46,804

5. New York, NY: $45,541

6. Stamford, CT: $44,101

7. San Antonio, TX: $43,827

8. Salt Lake City, UT: $42,736

9. Phoenix, AZ: $41,334

10. Greeley, CO: $41,081

Job outlook

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for logisticians is currently very positive. Employment for logistics specialists from 2022 to 2032 is expected to grow 18 percent, with an average of 21,800 job openings available yearly [6].

Logistics is a growing field due to the increase in e-commerce. As the demand for any specific product or good grows, the supply needs to grow as well, which thus increases the need for logisticians. Logistics specialists work to deliver products on time and make sure inventory is fully stocked to meet client demand.

Getting started with Coursera

In the growing field of logistics, it’s beneficial to continue growing your set of skills. Earning certifications and continuing your education is a great way to stand out to future employers. Learn more about the world of logistics with the Supply Chain Management Specialization offered by Rutgers and Supply Chain Principles offered by the Georgia Institute of Technology on Coursera.