Logistics jobs span a wide range of career options, from entry-level to advanced. Because logistics and supply chains are so varied, you can bring almost any skill set and find a career in the logistics industry: warehousing, project management, operations, information technology, and more.
With the rapid growth of eCommerce during the pandemic and beyond, the need for logistics jobs has also expanded rapidly. All roles, from supply chain manager to eCommerce fulfillment warehouse worker, are in high demand. If you’re considering a logistics career, this is a terrific time to join the field.
Demand for logistics jobs
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 195,000 logistician jobs in the U.S. in 2021. The 10-year job outlook for logisticians is a 28% growth rate, which BLS notes is much faster than average.
Logistician is just one of many careers in logistics and warehousing. All of them are in high demand.
Types of logistics careers
Logistics careers span a wide range of skills and requirements. Some jobs require a high school diploma or associate’s degree, while you need an advanced degree for others. Here are just a few of the many and varied job options in the logistics field.
Warehouse Worker
Fulfillment and distribution warehouses employ a range of staff to perform the work that makes warehousing hum.
In a fulfillment and distribution warehouse, jobs include:
- Inbound/Receiving: Process inbound shipments, check SKUs against shipping logs, process stock into the warehouse management system, and move products into the warehouse.
- Forklift operator: Transport palletized goods within the warehouse and assist with inventory management.
- Warehouse picker: Move through the warehouse, pick items to fill orders, and deliver orders to the packing station. Find out more: A Day in the Life of a Warehouse Picker.
- Packer: Check items for orders, select the correct boxes for shipping, add infill, secure boxes, and add labels. Packers send completed orders to the shipping station.
- Outbound/Shipping: Sort orders for different carriers and ensure that orders are loaded onto the correct trucks for delivery to customers.
- Inventory: Assist with warehouse inventory management.
- Kitting: Assemble kits according to client specifications.
- Director of Safety: Develop, implement, and supervise safety programs to keep team members safe and comply with fire, health, and safety codes.
In addition, fulfillment jobs can include several levels of management, human resources positions, marketing, and sales. Many warehousing jobs don’t require a college degree, though some specializations may need special training or certification. For example, some floor worker roles require you to be able to lift 50 pounds.
Truck Driver
Delivery trucks are a critical supply chain link, including everything from cross-country freight to last-mile package delivery. You need a commercial driver’s license to drive a truck or other commercial vehicle.
According to BLS, there were over 2 million heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver positions in the U.S. in 2021, and the job growth outlook is average. Job requirements include driver training, both on and off the job.
Logistician
A logistician analyzes supply chains and looks for ways to improve operations. Logistician is a general term; job titles related to logistician include logistics analyst, logistics coordinator, and logistics manager, among others.
The level of experience and education you need to be a logistics specialist varies depending on the seniority of the role. For an entry-level position, BLS data shows you’ll typically need a bachelor’s degree, but work experience may not be necessary. As noted above, logistician roles are in high demand.
Supply Chain Manager
Supply chain management encompasses many different roles, usually working within a company to direct its supply chain operations. Supply chain professionals may work as purchasing managers, warehouse managers, transportation coordinators, and, yes, logisticians.
Problem-solving is a core skill in the fast-paced world of supply chain management. Being able to pivot on a dime as circ*mstances change and using automation to add power to your decision-making are essential.
Supply chain careers can cover a range of skills and roles, including data analyst, coordinator, and director. For many supply chain specializations, a bachelor’s degree, postgraduate certification, or master’s degree is required or preferred by employers. As eCommerce supply chains have become more complex, supply chain professionals are in increasing demand.
Operations Manager
Operations managers develop strategies, secure the resources needed for their teams, and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Part of operations management is hiring and supervising team members and fostering a positive work environment. Operations managers are also often tasked with managing their department’s budget and creating forecasts to enable budgeting for future years.
Operations managers need excellent governance and communication skills, as well as relevant work experience.
Management Analyst
Management analysts assess logistics operations and develop strategies for continuous improvement within an organization. It’s a well-paid logistics career path that requires at least a B.A. and some related experience. Like all analyst roles, technical skills such as programming and data analysis are a plus.
BLS predicts a much higher than average growth rate for management analyst positions.
What level of education and experience do you need for a logistics career?
For entry-level jobs such as warehouse floor positions, you might need a high school diploma (or less), and you don’t need related experience to land your first job.
Specializations such as truck driving require certification and some experience.
For management positions such as team lead, coordinator, analyst, or manager, employers will look for a combination of education and experience. It’s helpful to have at least a B.A. and an M.S., especially one focused on logistics or supply chain management, which can make you an appealing candidate for management roles.
In some logistics companies, including Red Stag Fulfillment, some staff start in entry-level positions and work their way up to management. Experience can be as valuable as education for many logistics jobs, so logistics careers have a lot of room for advancement.
What kinds of salaries can logistics professionals expect to earn?
The salary range for logistics jobs varies depending on your experience, education level, and region. Wages are higher in some parts of the U.S. than others, generally tracking local living costs.
Senior management positions in logistics can command median salaries of $100,000 or more. A typical entry-level position pays above minimum wage, with starting pay often between $10 and $20 per hour. In addition, hourly workers may have the opportunity to work overtime during busy periods in the warehouse.
In addition to salary, Red Stag Fulfillment offers benefits, including family medical insurance and paid time off, plus occasional bonuses.
Where are the most logistics jobs?
Logistics jobs, particularly in third-party logistics or fulfillment, tend to be located outside major metropolitan areas where building and operating a large warehouse is more economical. But fulfillment warehouses must also be close enough to transportation hubs and population centers to quickly deliver eCommerce orders.
Red Stag Fulfillment has a hub in Salt Lake City, UT, serving the western U.S. And we have growing operations in Knoxville and Sweetwater, TN, not far from FedEx’s national hub in Memphis. Both our operations centers are in appealing communities with excellent schools and a good quality of life.
Join the Herd: Careers at Red Stag Fulfillment
At Red Stag Fulfillment, everyone from a picker who started last week to top management is committed to our core values:
- We act like we own it.
- We sweat the small stuff.
- We have positive attitudes.
- We treat everyone with dignity and respect.
- We always seek to improve.
Those values mean we listen to everyone, and some of our best ideas come from the people working on the warehouse floor every day. RSF is recognized as one of the top fulfillment providers in the country because treating our staff well is a core value and at the heart of our mission.
We recognize that the best workers have many choices in a competitive job market. That’s why we work hard to create a terrific work environment, so we can attract and retain the best logistics workers.
Are you ready for a job that gives you a sense of accomplishment and makes you proud of a hard day’s work well done? Then think about joining the Herd and taking a job at Red Stag Fulfillment. We have many full-time openings.
