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Job outlook for distribution managers in the United States
Distribution manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected distribution manager job growth rate is 6% from 2018-2028.
About 189,200 new jobs for distribution managers are projected over the next decade.
Distribution manager salaries have increased 8% for distribution managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 18,554 distribution managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 39,061 active distribution manager job openings in the US.
The average distribution manager salary is $89,264.
Are distribution manager jobs in demand?
Distribution manager job and salary trends over time
Distribution manager jobs over time
Distribution manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,554 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 16,680 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 16,699 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 15,800 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 15,050 | 0.00% |
Average distribution manager salary over time
Distribution manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $89,264 | $42.92 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $87,570 | $42.10 | --0.2% |
| 2023 | $87,727 | $42.18 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $85,625 | $41.17 | +3.7% |
| 2021 | $82,597 | $39.71 | +3.0% |
Distribution manager jobs by state
Most common states for distribution managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 135 | 19% |
| 2 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 682 | 11% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 93 | 10% |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,154 | 9% |
| 5 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,090 | 9% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 924 | 9% |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 613 | 9% |
| 8 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 755 | 8% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 690 | 8% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 547 | 8% |
| 11 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 466 | 8% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 420 | 8% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 483 | 7% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 477 | 7% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 289 | 7% |
| 16 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 268 | 7% |
| 17 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 212 | 7% |
| 18 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 212 | 7% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 196 | 7% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 90 | 7% |
Most common cities for distribution managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burbank | 6 | 6% | $98,373 |
| 2 | Culver City | 2 | 5% | $98,151 |
| 3 | Cedar Falls | 1 | 2% | $88,692 |
| 4 | Boston | 4 | 1% | $90,791 |
| 5 | Bridgeport | 1 | 1% | $96,447 |
| 6 | Chino | 1 | 1% | $97,788 |
| 7 | Denver | 3 | 0% | $78,387 |
| 8 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $98,178 |
| 9 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $78,865 |
| 10 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $85,084 |
Distribution Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of distribution manager experts
Western Kentucky University
Montgomery College
Pepperdine University, Seaver College
Sam Houston State University
Farmingdale State College
The City College of New York
University of Cincinnati
Belmont University
Sonoma State University
Orfalea College of Business
Warren Beeler
Western Kentucky University
Food Science And Technology
What will help Distribution Managers increase their earning potential?
Warren Beeler: Be a good example, team members are measured by their effort, passion, knowledge and positive attitude. The example you set by doing things you don't have to is why projects are successful. That example gets notice. Enthusiasm and a positive attitude are contagious with co workers and make the work place productive and gets noticed. Success is earned. Earn your money and salary bumps should follow..
R. Scott Hengen
Technical Theatre Faculty/Production CoordinatorMontgomery College
Department of Performing Arts
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Distribution Managers?
R. Scott Hengen: Yes. The virus has prompted the industry to look at the production process. How the process and performances can economize, and the performative aspects can be translated into a remotely viewed but still lively environment. While creative personnel may not meet in person, they could even collaborate, albeit remotely. While the production can always be artistic, the experience will be streamlined. This translates into an economization in staffing needs and production scale and an update to needs in technology and content.
Moreover, it has caused a reassessment of the performative aspects and the need to find ways for the communal experience to be still present while bridging the confining boundaries of a digital screen. When in-person performances reconvene and at some point, the introspection of this time will echo into a transformed aesthetic, both in production and performance. The theatre-going experience may not be as grand, but it may further reach a broader audience.
This discussion also coincides with a more paramount and possibly more compelling argument of whose voices we will hear as this analysis of performative aspects commences. We are experiencing a forceful re-evaluation of leadership and themes of stories untold and sounds unheard, of behavior unrecognized and impacts undervalued. The next few years will show that the theatre industry will be forever transformed as a representation of the underserved and unheard will gain prominence to the effect of empowering the disenfranchised. Over the next decade, we may find a predominance of the modern perspective or economized re-examination of classic tales in a contemporary light rather than the pure enjoyment of retold classics.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Distribution Managers?
Steven Bauer: Business Analytics is becoming increasingly important across all functions in order to be able to identify and capture value. Thus a certification in this area, e.g., in Python, is particularly impactful. As far as courses, students should make sure they gain an exposure to all aspects of the business world, e.g., marketing, management, finance, accounting, strategic planning, law, etc., in order to prepare them for the wide array of challenges they will face.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Distribution Managers?
Steven Bauer: The coronavirus has accelerated the transformation to a digital world, and this effect will continue after the pandemic is behind us. Graduates will need to be able to navigate a hybrid business environment, with in-person and virtual meetings, interactions and platforms. There will also be increased opportunities to be entrepreneurial and innovative in the digital area. In addition, graduates will have to become more skilled at navigating a global environment since greater digitization will draw countries closer to each other.
Carliss Miller Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of ManagementSam Houston State University
Department of Management & Marketing
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Distribution Manager job market given the pandemic?
Carliss Miller Ph.D.: Flexible working arrangements were considered a perk or benefit, but given the pandemic more and more jobs will be designed with flexible work arrangements in mind. We will continue to see trends in the labor market with a push towards personal services (e.g. virtual assistants, professional organizers) and professional services. There will also continue to be a demand for knowledge work. More and more, employers are looking to hire applicants that can provide concrete evidence of being "Day 1" ready.
Employers will focus more on identifying prospects with certain "soft skills" which were a nice-to-have pre-pandemic, but are now critical for organizational survival. These skills include: critical thinking, agility, ability to adapt to change, resilience, virtual team effectiveness, crisis management, emotional intelligence, empathy, and inclusive leadership. Additionally, data analysis and interpretation is a highly sought after skill even for jobs that historically did not require analytical ability.
Xu Zhang Ph.D.
ChairFarmingdale State College
Department of Economics
What skills stand out on Distribution Manager resumes?
Xu Zhang Ph.D.: I believe the most important attributes employers seek on a resume remain the same-problem solving skills, team work skills, analytical/quantitative skills, verbal and written communication skills. However, given the pandemic or any other unexpected shock to work environment, how to quickly and efficiently adapt to new work modes can be a very valuable attribute standing out on resume.
What type of skills will young Distribution Managers need?
Prabal Kumar De Ph.D.: I think the necessary skills remain the same. One modification that would stay is greater virtual engagement. Therefore, newly essential skills such as acing a virtual interview, making a mark during a Zoom meeting, or managing or being a valuable part of a remote working group would be useful long after the immediate threats from the COVID-19 crisis be gone.
Christine Tonnis
Assistant Professor, Educator, Electrical Engineering Co-op Adviser, Electrical Engineering Technology Co-op AdviserUniversity of Cincinnati
Division of Experience Based Learning & Career Education
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Distribution Manager job market given the pandemic?
Christine Tonnis: At the University of Cincinnati all engineering students complete five semesters of full-time experiential learning, also known as 'co-op.' As the pandemic intensified 'remote work' became the default situation for many engineers, even co-ops. While experienced professionals can often manage remote work quite well, even the most seasoned, self-disciplined professional can encounter the negative aspects of working remotely; separation of home and work, self-motivation, lack of community, and often less physical activity that working in an office demands but the home office does not. We do not yet know the ramifications this has had on co-ops/interns, and young professionals. The next trend will be aiming to find the right balance between remote work and in-office work to make sure that all will have the appropriate support for their professional level and circumstances.
Nina Woodard
Senior Career Development SpecialistBelmont University
Office of Career & Professional Development
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Distribution Manager job market given the pandemic?
Nina Woodard: The pandemic hasn't impacted all areas of the entertainment industry in the same way. Anything related to live events and touring has been placed on an extended pause, which has been very difficult for graduates hoping to work in those fields. On an encouraging note, consumers will always find a way back to live experiences, so that segment of the industry will absolutely recover; the timing is just still a bit unknown. Other areas such as record or publishing companies have held steady. And, digital marketing and content creation companies are as busy, if not busier, than they've ever been as artists seek alternative ways to stay connected to their fans. Technology has intersected with entertainment in exciting, creative ways that will continue even as some of the more traditional avenues become available again. For many companies, ideas that started as pivots are now vibrant components of their long-term strategies.
The way we work may have also permanently changed. Companies have realized that remote working is a truly viable option for most businesses. While maintaining company culture, and the social nature of an entertainment-based organization, may still require some level of in-person interaction, it seems likely that many organizations may continue with remote/hybrid office models.
What Distribution Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Nina Woodard: For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.
Adjunct LecturerSonoma State University
School of Business & Economics
What type of skills will young Distribution Managers need?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.
What experience really stands out on Distribution Manager resumes?
Craig Nathanson Ph.D.: Most important on resumes to only show accomplishments you are proud of and reflect measurable success and completion of past work. These accomplishments should be a snapshot of what we have done and can do in the future. The most important two lines of a resume are in the objectives, to list what the person is seeking. These two lines give the reader a quick view of what the person wants.
Now is a great time to start the new year to build a portable work portfolio to represent an alignment of what a person is excited about and enjoys in their work.
Eric Olsen
Professor, Industrial Technology and PackagingOrfalea College of Business
Industrial Technology & Packaging
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Distribution Managers in the next 3-5 years?
Eric Olsen: We are doubling down on what we call "digital fabrication." Most manufacturing technologies we deal with now have a growing digital component that our students need to understand and be competent in. Of course, that means current hot exotics like additive manufacturing, but our students need to look at any process and realize there is probably a digitally enhanced path forward.