Logistics Engineers: Career Overview
Design or analyze operational solutions for projects such as transportation optimization, network modeling, process and methods analysis, cost containment, capacity enhancement, routing and shipment optimization, or information management.
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What Tasks Do Logistics Engineers Perform?
The core tasks performed by logistics engineers span:
- Identify cost-reduction or process-improvement logistic opportunities.
- Analyze or interpret logistics data involving customer service, forecasting, procurement, manufacturing, inventory, transportation, or warehousing.
- Prepare logistic strategies or conceptual designs for production facilities.
- Conduct logistics studies or analyses, such as time studies, zero-base analyses, rate analyses, network analyses, flow-path analyses, or supply chain analyses.
- Develop logistic metrics, internal analysis tools, or key performance indicators for business units.
- Identify or develop business rules or standard operating procedures to streamline operating processes.
- Interview key staff or tour facilities to identify efficiency-improvement, cost-reduction, or service-delivery opportunities.
- Apply logistics modeling techniques to address issues, such as operational process improvement or facility design or layout.
Skills and Knowledge
Successful logistics engineers combine a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Key Skills
The competencies most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Types of Logistics Engineers Jobs
Common job titles for this role include:
- Acquisition Logistics Engineer
- Aero Logistics Engineer (Aeronautical Logistics Engineer)
- Auto Logistics Engineer (Automotive Logistics Engineer)
- Continuous Improvement Specialist
- Cost Engineer
- Cost Estimating Engineer
- Cost Reduction Engineer
- Engineer
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 606,116 logistics engineers working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to grow by +13.4% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Logistics Engineers Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $55,285 |
| Hourly median | $26.58 |
| 10th percentile | $38,122 |
| 25th percentile | $46,703 |
| 75th percentile | $63,866 |
| 90th percentile | $72,448 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
How Much Do Logistics Engineers Make in Different U.S. States?
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $117,500 |
| Maryland | $102,000 |
| Washington | $101,830 |
| Virginia | $98,620 |
| Colorado | $96,860 |
| Hawaii | $96,700 |
| Massachusetts | $96,630 |
| Wyoming | $95,640 |
| Alabama | $95,030 |
| New Jersey | $93,710 |
| California | $90,950 |
| Oregon | $89,920 |
| Delaware | $89,840 |
| New Mexico | $87,960 |
| Maine | $86,700 |
| Oklahoma | $85,840 |
| Utah | $84,000 |
| Alaska | $83,390 |
| New York | $83,070 |
| Vermont | $82,980 |
| South Dakota | $82,220 |
| Minnesota | $82,020 |
| Arizona | $81,680 |
| Ohio | $81,400 |
| Connecticut | $81,390 |
| Michigan | $80,000 |
| Iowa | $79,730 |
| Indiana | $78,430 |
| Rhode Island | $77,830 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,740 |
| Montana | $77,380 |
| North Carolina | $77,030 |
| North Dakota | $77,020 |
| South Carolina | $76,920 |
| Wisconsin | $76,590 |
| Illinois | $76,550 |
| Nevada | $76,350 |
| Mississippi | $76,280 |
| Texas | $75,360 |
| Louisiana | $74,230 |
| Georgia | $73,880 |
| Arkansas | $73,710 |
| Missouri | $72,850 |
| New Hampshire | $72,810 |
| West Virginia | $70,690 |
| Idaho | $69,910 |
| Kentucky | $69,630 |
| Florida | $68,990 |
| Guam | $64,190 |
| Nebraska | $63,040 |
| Tennessee | $61,440 |
| Kansas | $51,430 |
| Puerto Rico | $45,650 |
Pay by U.S. Region
Earnings for logistics engineers shift depending on where you work. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $92,001 | 16.4% | 1.00 |
| New England | $90,359 | 4.1% | 0.90 |
| Rocky Mountains | $89,193 | 4.1% | 1.18 |
| Middle Atlantic | $88,832 | 13.2% | 1.04 |
| Great Lakes | $78,840 | 16.7% | 1.23 |
| Southwest | $77,949 | 12.4% | 1.02 |
| Southeast | $77,754 | 26.9% | 1.19 |
| Plains States | $71,520 | 5.9% | 0.92 |
Top Metro Areas
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | SD | $146,690 | 100 |
| Lexington Park, MD | MD | $128,940 | 1,370 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $121,260 | 2,570 |
| Huntsville, AL | AL | $110,550 | 3,050 |
| Pueblo, CO | CO | $107,860 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $107,420 | 4,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | DC | $106,660 | 6,760 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | CA | $104,480 | 1,000 |
Which Industries Hire Logistics Engineers
Most logistics engineers are found across these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 54,140 | $83,720 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 35,170 | $82,330 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 27,970 | $62,710 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 25,500 | $84,960 |
| Wholesale Trade | 25,260 | $73,090 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 9,070 | $63,510 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 4,680 | $64,310 |
| Information | 3,810 | $96,120 |
Below are examples of industries where logistics engineers work:
Tools and Technology
- Computer aided design CAD software: Autodesk AutoCAD (hot technology)
- Object or component oriented development software: C++ (hot technology)
- Data base user interface and query software: Microsoft Access (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Business intelligence and data analysis software: Microsoft Power BI (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Project management software: Microsoft Project (hot technology)
- Document management software: Microsoft SharePoint (hot technology)
- Data base management system software: Microsoft SQL Server (hot technology)
- Process mapping and design software: Microsoft Visio (hot technology)
Work Environment
Daily working conditions for logistics engineers tends to involve the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
How to Become Logistics Engineers
Entry-level logistics engineers positions require a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. This career aligns with Considerable Preparation Needed (Job Zone 4), reflecting the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Industrial Production Managers (Primary-Long)
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (Primary-Short)
- Supply Chain Managers (Primary-Short)
- Architectural and Engineering Managers (Supplemental)
- Cost Estimators (Supplemental)
- Logisticians (Primary-Short)
- Logistics Analysts (Primary-Short)
- Project Management Specialists (Primary-Long)
Where to Study
Future logistics engineers typically earn programs in:
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
3 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 13-1081.01 (Logisticians).
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