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The differences between fleet managers and distribution center managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a fleet manager, becoming a distribution center manager takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a distribution center manager has an average salary of $99,459, which is higher than the $49,492 average annual salary of a fleet manager.
The top three skills for a fleet manager include customer service, DOT and vehicle fleet. The most important skills for a distribution center manager are logistics, customer service, and OSHA.
| Fleet Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $49,492 | $99,459 |
| Hourly rate | $23.79 | $47.82 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 14,157 | 75,501 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A fleet manager is responsible for monitoring the delivery processes, including the maintenance and registration of delivery vehicles, recruiting delivery drivers, and regularly inspecting the vehicle's engine to boost optimal performance for efficient deliveries. Fleet managers purchase the vehicles, negotiating contracts with trusted manufacturers, and try to keep minimal costs without compromising quality. They also manage delivery schedules, respond to the receivers' inquiries and concerns, and resolve delivery complaints immediately. A fleet manager must have excellent communication and analytical skills, especially on strategizing profitability techniques and identify related business opportunities.
A distribution center manager is an individual who is responsible for managing all the daily activities of a centralized distribution center, warehouse, or another shipping facility. Distribution center managers are required to supervise the loading and unloading of all packages as well as ensure that all goods and products have the proper storage conditions. They must evaluate freight services and manage relationships with the chose vendors. Distribution center managers are also required to monitor the safety of the facility and make sure that workers properly store everything to prevent injuries.
Fleet managers and distribution center managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fleet Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Average salary | $49,492 | $99,459 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $77,000 | Between $70,000 And $141,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anaheim, CA | Woodland, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | VIA Motors | Bed Bath & Beyond |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a fleet manager and a distribution center manager in terms of educational background:
| Fleet Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between fleet managers' and distribution center managers' demographics:
| Fleet Manager | Distribution Center Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 83.2% Female, 16.8% | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.2% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |