Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on
Supply chain managers handle the manufacturing and distribution of raw materials and finished goods in the global marketplace. This well-paying career has plenty of opportunities for growth in the current economy.
Supply chains, or the complex logistics systems that enable the manufacturing and distribution of finished products, can be easily disrupted by pandemic, natural disasters, and other global crises.
More than ever, there’s a need for supply chain managers to come up with the right strategies, and to use the latest technology to make those processes and systems more lean and efficient. A career in supply chain management can be well-paid and fulfilling.
Here’s a closer look at how much supply chain managers typically make and some of the factors that can influence your salary.
How much do supply chain managers make?
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for logisticians is $77,030 [1]. On the lower end, logisticians earned less than $45,160 while the higher end earned over $122,390 [1]. Because supply chain managers tend to have more responsibility in strategizing and leading teams in warehousing, inventory management, purchasing, transportation, and IT software, they may be on the higher end of that spectrum.
In fact, sites like Salary.com cite a median salary of $160,147 in the US, while Indeed lists an average salary of $91,223 [2,3].
Industries like government, technology, and retail companies tend to pay more in all jobs than wholesale or healthcare, so supply chain managers in these fields will naturally earn more.
The job growth rate for logisticians is high, at 28 percent between 2021 and 2031 [1]. Compared to the job outlook for all occupations which is at 5.3 percent, that is a promising figure for aspiring supply chain managers [4].
Read more: How to Negotiate Your Salary: 10 Tips to Earn More
Factors that impact supply chain manager salaries
For such a broad job role, the salary for supply chain managers can really vary. To maximize your compensation, consider the following factors.
Education
Attaining higher education typically yields higher pay. For supply chain managers, a bachelor’s degree at minimum is recommended. Zippia reports that 70 percent of supply chain managers have a bachelor’s degree, while 17 percent have a master’s degree, and 9 percent have an associate degree [5]. Only 2 percent have just a high school diploma [5].
With the following education, you can expect to earn this amount as a supply chain manager [6]:
Associate degree: $92,543
Bachelor’s degree: $108,240
Master’s degree: $118,982
Doctorate degree: $124,654
Experience
In general, more job experience equals higher pay. For supply chain managers looking to move up in supply chain management, your experience can translate into earning more money as you rise through the ranks. This is a rough estimate based on common job titles [7]:
Supply Chain Manager: $86,000 - $139,000
Senior Supply Chain Manager: $112,000 - $183,000
Director of Supply Chain: $134,000 - $223,000
Vice President of Supply Chain: $197,000 - $349,000
Industry
The industry you’re working in, as well as the type of supply chain management you work on, can impact what you earn. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, logisticians in the following industries can make this much [1]:
Federal government: $88,710
Companies: $78,660
Manufacturing: $77,740
Professional and technical services: $76,840
Wholesale: $63,930
Further, if you work in a job related to supply chain manager, these are the average salaries you can expect to earn:
Manufacturing manager: $133,606 [8]
Transportation manager: $73,752 [9]
Procurement manager: $112,658 [10]
Supply chain analytics manager: $132,186 [11]
Demand planner: $77,002 [12]
Supply chain analyst: $80,442 [13]
Location
Where you live, or where your company is located, can impact how much money you take home. While landing a job in cities like New York and San Francisco may offer a higher salary, it comes with a higher cost of living than smaller cities.
This will give you an idea of what a supply chain manager can expect to earn in different cities in the United States (based on total compensation) [14]:
San Francisco, CA: $125,744
Los Angeles, CA: $118,971
Chicago, IL: $113,818
New York, NY: $118,723
Boston, MA: $113,330
Minneapolis, MN: $121,822
Austin, TX: $116,410
Miami, FL: $110,385
Denver, CO: $111,155
Washington, D.C.: $100,092
Get started in supply chain management
Your career as a supply chain manager can start today with a free 7-day trial. Enroll in Rutgers University’s Supply Chain Management specialization and learn the basics of logistics, planning, sourcing, and more. You'll become job-ready in just six months or less.
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