What Does it Take to Be a Logistician?

Job Description: Analyze and coordinate the logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.

Daily Life Of a Logistician

• Perform system lifecycle cost analysis and develop component studies.
• Perform managerial duties such as hiring and training employees and overseeing facility needs or requirements.
• Protect and control proprietary materials.
• Manage the logistical aspects of product life cycles, including coordination or provisioning of samples, and the minimization of obsolescence.
• Report project plans, progress, and results.
• Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer’s key personnel involved in, or directly relevant to, a logistics activity.

Qualities of a Logistician

Below is a list of the skills most Logisticians say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Logistics Specialist
• Logistics Vice President
• Logistician
• Program Manager
• Supervisory Supply Management Specialist

Is There Going to be Demand for Logisticians?

In the United States, there were 148,700 jobs for Logisticians in 2016.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.9% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 10,300 new jobs for Logisticians by 2026. The BLS estimates 15,600 yearly job openings in this field per year.

The states with the most job growth for Logisticians are Texas, California, and Florida.

Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Vermont, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Logisticians Make A Lot Of Money?

The salary for Logisticians ranges between about $44,440 and $119,950 a year. The median salary is $74,600.

How much do Logisticians make in different U.S. states?

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
Rhode Island	$105,730
District of Columbia	$95,000
Maryland	$91,710
Washington	$90,240
Alabama	$87,600
Alaska	$86,860
Texas	$86,500
Virginia	$86,230
Hawaii	$84,540
California	$84,260
New Jersey	$84,240
New Mexico	$80,400
Pennsylvania	$80,370
Michigan	$80,150
Wyoming	$79,020
Louisiana	$79,010
Massachusetts	$78,910
Connecticut	$77,940
North Carolina	$76,600
Missouri	$76,540
New York	$76,240
Ohio	$76,090
Colorado	$75,700
Oregon	$75,260
Minnesota	$75,250
Mississippi	$75,200
Oklahoma	$75,160
Arizona	$74,780
Idaho	$74,700
South Dakota	$73,940
Utah	$73,860
Kentucky	$73,610
Kansas	$72,990
Nevada	$72,790
New Hampshire	$71,930
Montana	$71,800
Georgia	$70,900
Indiana	$70,830
Maine	$70,620
Vermont	$70,590
Arkansas	$70,320
West Virginia	$69,620
Florida	$69,100
South Carolina	$68,280
Illinois	$67,490
North Dakota	$64,300
Iowa	$63,560
Wisconsin	$62,690
Tennessee	$61,940
Nebraska	$58,920

Tools & Technologies Used by Logisticians

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Logisticians may use on a daily basis:

• SAP
• Structured query language SQL
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• IBM Cognos Impromptu
• Microsoft SQL Server
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Microsoft Word

Where Logisticians Work

Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming Logisticians might also be interested in the following careers:

• Emergency Management Directors
• Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers

Career changers with experience as a Logistician sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Storage and Distribution Managers
• Transportation Planners

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons