What does a logistician do? Duties, pay, education and outlook
Logisticians, often called logistics specialists, analyze and coordinate an organization's supply chain and manage a product's life cycle from design to disposal. A bachelor's degree is typical, and BLS projects 18 percent employment growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| O*NET-SOC code | 13-1081.00 (Logisticians) |
| Typical entry-level education | Bachelor's degree |
| Licensing | None required; certification is optional |
| Median annual wage | $82,320 per year (May 2025, BLS) |
| Projected growth | 18 percent, 2025 to 2035 (much faster than average) |
| Number of jobs | 255,100 (2025) |
| Projected openings | About 26,600 per year, on average, over the decade |
What does a logistician do?
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) lists duties such as:
- Overseeing product acquisition and directing the allocation of materials, supplies and products.
- Forecasting and aligning product demand and supply flows.
- Monitoring and managing product risk.
- Selecting, implementing and managing business systems.
- Reviewing logistics functions to find improvements.
- Serving as the liaison with suppliers and customers.
- Proposing ways to reduce delivery costs and time.
They oversee purchasing, transportation, inventory and warehousing, and some also train and manage clerical staff.
Work environment
The largest employers by share of jobs were manufacturing (22 percent), professional, scientific and technical services (15 percent), the federal government (14 percent), transportation and warehousing (11 percent) and wholesale trade (11 percent). The work is fast paced and can be stressful because staff solve problems to keep operations on schedule. Some travel to plants or distribution centers. Most work full time, some more than 40 hours a week, and some work evenings or weekends.
Education, training and licensing
- Education: A bachelor's degree is typical, often in logistics, supply chain management, business or a related field. Some jobs require less.
- Experience: Related experience helps, such as logistics support roles, military service or college internships. Some employers accept experience in place of a degree.
- Certification: Optional, but it shows professional competence. CareerOneStop lists options, and certifications from the Defense Acquisition University are required for Department of Defense acquisitions.
- Licensing: None required.
Skills that matter
The OOH names communication, critical thinking, customer service, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills. O*NET lists critical thinking, active listening, monitoring, reading comprehension, speaking, active learning, writing, learning strategies and mathematics as essential skills, and software such as inventory management, ERP and spreadsheet tools.
How much do logisticians make?
BLS reports a median annual wage of $82,320 per year (May 2025). The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,890 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $133,160. By industry, the May 2025 median was $103,790 in the federal government, $84,730 in professional, scientific and technical services, $83,990 in manufacturing, and $63,530 in transportation and warehousing. See the OOH pay tab and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and our how to research pay guide.
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 26,600 openings each year on average over the decade.
How to get hired
- Build related experience. The OOH points to logistics support roles, military service and internships. Write results in plain terms, such as the processes you tracked or improved.
- Name the tools. Postings often cite inventory, ERP and spreadsheet software. List the ones you have used. See the ATS resume guide.
- Switching fields? Translate purchasing, warehouse or dispatch work using our career change resume guide.
- Consider certification. The OOH lists it as optional and refers readers to CareerOneStop.
- Search steadily. Follow the find a job fast routine and search jobs on LiveRec.
Related occupations
Industrial engineers; management analysts; operations research analysts; purchasing managers, buyers and purchasing agents.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do I need to be a logistician? A bachelor's degree is typical, often in logistics, supply chain management or business. Some employers accept experience in place of a degree.
Is logistician the same as logistics specialist? The names are used loosely. BLS profiles the occupation as logisticians.
Is certification required? No, it is optional, except certifications from the Defense Acquisition University for Department of Defense acquisitions.
Is logistics a growing field? BLS projects 18 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
Related guides
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Logisticians: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm (accessed 31 October 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Logisticians: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/13-1081.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
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