Supply chain managers handle the manufacturing and distribution of raw materials and finished goods in the global marketplace. This well-paying career has plenty of opportunities for growth in the current economy.
Supply chains are the complex logistics systems that enable the manufacturing and distribution of finished products, and can be easily disrupted by pandemics, natural disasters, and other global crises. Supply chain managers come up with the right strategies, and use the latest technology to make those processes and systems more lean and efficient. A career in supply chain management can be well-paid and fulfilling.
Discover how much supply chain managers typically make and some of the factors that can influence your salary.
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According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for logisticians is $79,400 [1]. On the lower end, logisticians earned less than $47,990, while the higher end earned over $128,550 [2]. Because supply chain managers tend to have more responsibility in strategizing and leading teams in warehousing, inventory management, purchasing, transportation, and IT software, they may be on the higher end of that spectrum.
In fact, sites like Salary.com cite a median salary of $167,249 in the US, while Indeed lists an average salary of $99,076 [3, 4].
Industries like government, technology, and retail companies tend to pay more in all jobs than wholesale or health care, so supply chain managers in these fields will naturally earn more.
The job growth rate for logisticians is high, at 19 percent, between 2023 and 2033 [1]. Compared to the job outlook for all occupations, which is at 4 percent, that is a promising figure for aspiring supply chain managers [5].
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Launch your career in supply chain data analytics. Build job-ready skills to be a supply chain analyst and gain credentials to go from beginner to job-ready in four months or less. No degree or prior experience required.
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Data Analysis, Problem Solving, Introduction to SQL, Presentation Layer, Data Visualization, Supply Chain Risk Mitigation, Risk Management, SQL foundation, Descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, Python foundation, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Data Optimization, Job Search Strategies
Supply chain managers oversee the procurement process for an organization by working with suppliers. This may involve the purchase of raw materials, components, or finished products. Additionally, a supply chain manager can work on the other side by analyzing the logistics in which consumers receive products by managing warehouses and shipments.
For such a broad job role, the salary for supply chain managers can vary. To maximize your compensation, consider the following factors.
Attaining higher education typically yields higher pay. For supply chain managers, a bachelor’s degree at minimum is recommended. Zippia reports that 70 percent of supply chain managers have a bachelor’s degree, while 17 percent have a master’s degree, and 9 percent have an associate degree [6]. Only 2 percent have just a high school diploma [6].
With the following education, you can expect to earn this amount as a supply chain manager [7]:
Associate degree: $92,543
Bachelor’s degree: $108,240
Master’s degree: $118,982
Doctorate degree: $124,654
In general, more job experience equals higher pay. For supply chain managers looking to move up in supply chain management, your experience can translate into earning more money as you rise through the ranks. The following offers an estimate based on the median base pay for common job titles:
Supply chain manager: $111,956 [8]
Senior supply chain manager: $145,652 [9]
Director of supply chain: $152,822 [10]
Vice president of supply chain: $177,093 [11]
The industry you’re working in, as well as the type of supply chain management you work on, can impact what you earn. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians in the following industries can make this much [2]:
Federal government: $95,890
Manufacturing: $82,410
Management of companies: $81,890
Professional and technical services: $80,160
Wholesale: $72,200
Further, if you work in a job related to supply chain manager, these are the average base pay salaries you can expect to earn:
Manufacturing manager: $104,215 [12]
Transportation manager: $72,664 [13]
Procurement manager: $109,027 [14]
Supply chain analytics manager: $120,250 [15]
Demand planner: $88,307 [16]
Supply chain analyst: $83,366 [17]
Where you live or where your company is located can impact how much money you take home. This will give you an idea of what a supply chain manager can expect to earn in different cities in the United States (based on total compensation) [4]:
Boston, MA: $104,404
Santa Ana, CA: $101,038
San Diego, CA: $102,154
Chicago, IL: $100,567
Plano, TX: $97,858
Portland, OR: $97,350
Miami, FL: $78,916
Palo Alto, CA: $132,565
As a supply chain manager, you command a high earning potential with the ability to work in various cities, industries, and roles. Your career as a supply chain manager can start today with a free seven-day trial. Try the Supply Chain Management Specialization from Rutgers University to learn the basics of logistics, planning, sourcing, and more. You'll become job-ready in just six months or less.
professional certificate
Launch your career in supply chain data analytics. Build job-ready skills to be a supply chain analyst and gain credentials to go from beginner to job-ready in four months or less. No degree or prior experience required.
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Data Analysis, Problem Solving, Introduction to SQL, Presentation Layer, Data Visualization, Supply Chain Risk Mitigation, Risk Management, SQL foundation, Descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analytics, Python foundation, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Data Optimization, Job Search Strategies
specialization
Supply Chain Management. Master the Fundamentals: Logistics, Operations, Planning, Sourcing, and Strategy
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Forecasting, Lean Six Sigma, Supply Chain Risk Management, Logistics, Supply Chain, Six Sigma, Microsoft Excel, Planning, Demand Forecasting, Warehouse Management, Logistics Planning, Inventory, Sourcing Best Practices, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Sourcing, Supply Chain Strategy
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Logisticians, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Logisticians: Pay, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm#tab-5.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Salary.com. “Supply Chain Senior Manager Salary in the United States, https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/supply-chain-senior-manager-salary.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Indeed. “Supply chain manager salary in United States, https://www.indeed.com/career/supply-chain-manager/salaries?from=top_sb.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupations with the most job growth, https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupations-most-job-growth.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Zippia. “Supply Chain Manager Education Requirements, https://www.zippia.com/supply-chain-manager-jobs/education/.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Zippia. “Supply Chain Manager Salary, https://www.zippia.com/supply-chain-manager-jobs/salary/.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “What Does a Supply-Chain-Manager Do?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/supply-chain-manager-career_KO0,20.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Senior Supply-Chain Manager Make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-supply-chain-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Director of Supply Chain Make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-director-of-supply-chain-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,38.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How Much Does a Vice President of Supply Chain Make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-vice-president-of-supply-chain-salary-SRCH_IL.0,13_IN1_KO14,44.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Manufacturing Manager make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/manufacturing-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,21.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Transportation Manager make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/transportation-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,22.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Procurement Manager make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/procurement-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Supply Chain Analytics Manager make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/supply-chain-analytics-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,30.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Demand Planner make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/demand-planner-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
Glassdoor. “How much does a Supply Chain Analyst make?, https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/supply-chain-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,20.htm.” Accessed February 20, 2025.
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