Obtaining a degree in logistics will offer you the logistical and supply chain operations skills that can result in many high paying careers. With a degree in logistics, you will have the qualifications and knowledge to compete for some of the most exciting job opportunities in the country.
Sponsored School(s)
Determining if this is the career for you means understanding what your potential salary can be and the factors that influence it. Your salary with a logistics degree will be affected to varying degrees by these factors:
- Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree
- The exact occupation you choose
- Work experience
- Industry
Once you have this information, you will have a solid idea of the salary you can expect with a logistics degree.
Level of Logistics Degree
There is ample research that indicates that earning a master’s degree in logistics can frequently give you a higher salary in your career. This will vary depending upon the type of degree and speciality.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS reports that the median wage for all employees in 2013 with a minimum of a master’s degree was $68,000. This compared to $58,000 for people with only their bachelors. This is a difference of $12,000 that can add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars over a 30 year career.
BLS also has done an analysis to determine whether earning a master’s degree is worth it for a variety of business-related positions. The data shows that logisticians with a bachelor’s degree in 2013 earned a median salary of $54,000, while logisticians with a master’s degree earned $82,000 per year.
This is a major 52% increase. This fact suggests that the logistical and supply chain management fields see major salary increases by earning an advanced degree.
The same data set also shows that transportation, storage and distribution managers earn $62,000 with a bachelor’s degree and $90,000 with a master’s degree – a significant $28,000 salary increase.
Salary.com reports that a bachelor’s degree in logistics earns an average salary of $109,000, and a master’s degree earns $110,000 per year.
Types of Logistics Career
Earning your bachelor’s or master’s degree in logistics will affect your pay. But the exact profession you select also will have an impact on how much you earn. The Bureau of Statistics offers extensive salary information for many careers related to logistics and operations.
Logistician
A logistician coordinates and analyzes the supply chain for the organization, which is the system that moves products from the supplier to the end user. Logisticians are responsible for managing the whole lifecycle of the product, including how the product is obtained, allocated and ultimately delivered. Logisticians are responsible for business activities including purchasing, transportation, inventory and warehousing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS reports the median salary for logisticians was $74,100 in 2016. The range based upon degree and years of experience varied between $45,300 and $117,000. The top salaries for logisticians were in these industries:
- Federal government: $82,600
- Professional, scientific and technical services: $75,000
- Manufacturing: $73,800
- Management of enterprises and companies: $73,300
- Wholesale trade: $65,000
Glassdoor.com reports that the average salary for logisticians is $57,900, with salaries reported from these companies:
- Southern Telecom: $54,000
- Booz Allen Hamilton: $55,400
- US Department of Defense: $78,300
- Testwell Laboratories: $91,300
- US Army: $67,700
- ITC Infotech: $65,142
- Korea Express USA: $54,000
Supply chain manager
Supply chain managers are responsible for the oversight and management of the company supply chain and logistical operations to increase efficiency and to reduce the costs of the supply chain of an organization. This professional works with managers to plan and execute the operational process for a distribution center , and also monitors the qualifications and performance of vendors. You may also consider an Online MBA in Supply Chain Management.
Salary.com reports the median annual salary for supply chain managers is $105,986 with a range of $93,600 to $122,400.
Operations research analyst
This is a closely related position to logistician that you can obtain with a logistics degree. Operations research analysts utilize advanced analytical and mathematical techniques to assist organizations to solve logistical problems and to make better business decisions to increase profits and efficiency. You may also consider a MBA in Operations Management Online.
Operations research analysts work with managers and other stakeholders to best determine how to allocate resources, develop efficient production schedules, organize the supply chain optimally, and establish prices that are profitable and competitive. For example, these analysts may work with a supermarket to assist the best and most profitable ways to organize products in the store. They use advanced computer software, including statistical software to solve and analyze problems.
BLS states that the median wage for operations research analysts was $79,200 in 2016, with a range between $43,400 and $132,660. Top paying industries in this occupation were:
- Federal government: $109,700
- Manufacturing: $90,800
- Professional, technical and scientific: $83,500
- Management of enterprises and companies: $81,700
- Finance and insurance: $77,600
Salary.com reports that the median salary in this field is $57,447, with a range between $45,493 and $75,649. Glassdoor.com reports an average salary of $62,600 with a range between $45,000 and $87,000.
Some other related careers with various salaries include the following:
- Financial analyst: Provide financial guidance to individuals and businesses who are making important business decisions, particularly about investments. They are responsible for assessing how stocks, bonds and other investments perform: $81,700. See financial analyst salary outlook.
- Financial manager: Responsible for the financial health of a company. They are in charge of producing financial reports, directing investment actions and devising strategies and plans to enhance the long term goals of their company: $121,000. See financial management degree options.
- Management analyst: Offer ways to enhance the efficiency and profitability of an organization. Provide advice to managers and other stakeholders to help organizations to be more profitable through higher revenues and reduced costs. They may be referred to as management consultants: $81,300. See management analyst salary outlook.
- Industrial production managers: Oversee daily operations of a manufacturing or industrial facility. Responsible for coordinating, planning and directing the activities that make the facility more productive: $97,100. See industrial management degree options.
- Market research analyst: Study the current and future market conditions to look at how a potential product or service could sell. They assist companies to understand the products that consumers want and the price they are willing to pay: $62,500. See market research analyst salary outlook.
Logistics Work Experience
Years of experience in logistics, operations and related professions is a key that will influence your salary. For example, Payscale.com reports that the salary for a logistics manager will vary as follows:
- Less than five years of experience: $50,000
- 5-10 years of experience: $62,000
- 10-20 years of experience: $69,000
- The overall national salary for this profession is $62,554
For supply chain manager, Payscale.com reported the following salaries:
- Less than five years of experience: $65,000
- 5-10 years of experience: $83,000
- 10-20 years of experience: $92,000
- More than 20 years of experience: $93,000
- National average salary for the profession is $83,150
Logistics Industry
Another major factor in your salary with a logistics degree is the industry in which you are employed. Some industries will pay a higher salary than others for the same job title.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can expect the following, annual mean wages based upon industry for logisticians:
- Aerospace: $85,700
- Federal executive branch: $85,100
- Freight transportation: $67,100
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting: $74,700
- Oil and gas extraction: $102,000
- Business, professional, labor, political and other organizations: $100,500
- Management of companies and enterprises: $78,300
Why Consider a Career in Logistics?
The above information suggests that a good salary can be earned in the logistics field with the appropriate degree and years of experience. Here are some other reasons that many students and professionals are choosing a logistics career these days:
- The Department of Labor anticipates that logistics and operations jobs will increase by up to 20% through 2026, which is much faster than average. This translates to tens of thousands of new jobs in the field.
- Jobs are available for a variety of education levels. Even if you have only a high school degree or associate’s degree, you still can work at entry level logistics positions in warehouses, which can eventually lead to higher paying positions.
- Plenty of advancement opportunities: The logistics field is growing quickly and the economy is growing as of 2017, so there will be many possibilities to advance. It is common to promote and train lower level employees than it is to bring in new employees for many logistics companies.
- Logistics careers can be anywhere. Anywhere there are large companies in America, you can probably find a logistics job. There are also many job opportunities available in the middle of the country in lower costs states such as Tennessee, Nebraska and Oklahoma.
- Logistics careers are exciting. It is rare for a career in logistics to be boring. There is always a great variety of work available, and logistics professionals will always be working on a variety of goods and materials that keeps things interesting.
The logistics field is truly heating up from an employment and demand perspective as the US and global economy is gathering steam. If you review the above information carefully, you can make educated decisions about a logistics career that can result in a good living.
References
- Operations Research Analysts. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/operations-research-analysts.htm#tab-5
- Logisticians. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm
- 10 Reasons You Should Consider a Career in Logistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.supplychaindigital.com/top-10/ten-reasons-you-should-consider-career-logistics
