The following article discusses the career path of Logistics Analyst. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Logistics Analysts.
Job Duties
The field of logistics is a very wide-ranging one, which encompasses every step taken by a business to ensure that their products get to the market. Logistics analysts examine the entire supply chain, starting at getting the raw material and ending at distribution. They generally work for large organizations in which they are charged with making the supply chain as efficient as possible.
Logistic analysts have an in-depth understanding of statistics and mathematics. They create models of quotas, manufacturing capabilities, and the output that is wished for. They work together with engineering teams and market research to determine the demographics of certain locations. They then take this to plant managers to ensure production is fully optimized, and with different storage managers and warehouses to make sure there is sufficient space. Then, they work with the sales department to make sure that goods can be delivered to the market as efficiently as possible.
Other job duties of a logistics analyst include:
- Negotiating with suppliers, carriers, and vendors, analyzing and providing information on demand
- Maintaining various databases, taking responsibility for their input, structure, and accuracy
- Mining data and conducting analyses in order to identify patterns and trends, using these to spot any opportunities
- Identifying internal and external data sources and ensuring that these sources are accurate
- Analyzing carrier tariffs, costs, rates, and bids in order to find the most cost-effective solutions
Where We Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 148,700 logisticians in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:
- Manufacturing: 25%
- Federal government: 20%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: 17%
- Management of companies and enterprises: 10%
- Wholesale trade: 9%
How to Become
A logistics analyst usually needs a specialized undergraduate degree in operations engineering, operations analysis, or a related field. It is common for organizations to look for those who have a graduate degree in business management, analysis, or related field. Furthermore, a logistics analyst is usually expected to have at least three years’ work experience at middle management level.
Education Requirements
Logistics analysts have to be able to manage the complexities of supply chains and logistics. As a result, a bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum requirement. Supply chain management, systems engineer, and business are common study subjects. During the bachelor’s degree, they will learn about system dynamics, database management, and operations. Furthermore, they can be exposed to common logistics software, such as RFID (radio-frequency identification).
There is no legal requirement for a logistics analyst to become certified. However, certifications do demonstrate commitment to excellence and a broader knowledge. Hence, logistics analysts may choose to become certified through the International Society of Logistics (SOLE) or American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). Work experience and education are required for these certifications. Other options are offered through the Defense Acquisition University (DUA), which is required for those who work as a logistics analyst for the Department of Defense.
Work experience is also vitally important. A logistics analyst will need to have gained several years of experience in supply chains, logistics, and business. Some start in logistical support, such as clerks or dispatchers, and many have a military background. Through work experience, these specialists get to know about supply chain and production processes.
Traits & Qualities
The most effective logistics analysts have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Great customer service skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong problem solving skills
Minimum Education
Bachelor’s Degree
National Salary
The national average salary estimate for Logistics Analyst was $58,389. This number is estimated from over 305,924 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $30.41 and monthly of $4,866.
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Salary by State
The following section lists Logistics Analyst salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, New Hampshire had the largest quoted salary of $72,671 while Oregon had the smallest quoted salary of $20,496.
Top 20 National Employers
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Logistics Analyst. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.
Employer Name | Location | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Nigel Frank International | Pennsylvania | $123,263 |
Apple | California | $117,085 |
Pace Computer Solutions Inc | Texas | $114,793 |
Dynamics Jobs | Texas | $104,416 |
CyberCoders | Tennessee | $103,945 |
Amphenol TCS | New Hampshire | $96,514 |
Cummins | Minnesota | $93,017 |
Tesla Motors | California | $86,628 |
Anheuser-Busch | Missouri | $85,404 |
AECOM | Virginia | $81,905 |
VORTECHX Applied Technologies, LLC | Virginia | $80,699 |
SAIC | Alabama | $80,467 |
Philips Recruiting Services | Michigan | $78,899 |
U.S. Army | Virginia | $77,666 |
Learn More
- 13-1081.02 – Logistics Analysts – O*NET OnLine
- Logistics Analysts at My Next Move
- Logistics Analyst – supplychaincanada.org
- Best Logistics Degree
- Salary Outlook with a Logistics Degree
Related Careers
Career Name | Average Salary |
---|---|
Logistics Manager | $62,099 |
Marketing Analyst | $61,822 |
Finance Officer | $61,442 |
Operations Analyst | $60,651 |
Advertising Manager | $59,245 |
Information Specialist | $56,877 |
Food Service Director | $55,529 |
Purchasing Buyer | $55,296 |
Human Resources Generalist | $54,497 |
Marketing Specialist | $52,815 |