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Load planner vs dispatch manager

The differences between load planners and dispatch managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a load planner and a dispatch manager. Additionally, a dispatch manager has an average salary of $50,499, which is higher than the $40,526 average annual salary of a load planner.

The top three skills for a load planner include logistics, hub and DOT. The most important skills for a dispatch manager are DOT, GPS, and customer satisfaction.

Load planner vs dispatch manager overview

Load PlannerDispatch Manager
Yearly salary$40,526$50,499
Hourly rate$19.48$24.28
Growth rate28%-
Number of jobs16,0502,120
Job satisfaction1-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Load planner vs dispatch manager salary

Load planners and dispatch managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Load PlannerDispatch Manager
Average salary$40,526$50,499
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $60,000Between $32,000 And $78,000
Highest paying City-Indianapolis, IN
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-1 8 3 Lanes
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between load planner and dispatch manager education

There are a few differences between a load planner and a dispatch manager in terms of educational background:

Load PlannerDispatch Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 38%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common college--

Load planner vs dispatch manager demographics

Here are the differences between load planners' and dispatch managers' demographics:

Load PlannerDispatch Manager
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 63.9% Female, 36.1%Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 21.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 55.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between load planner and dispatch manager duties and responsibilities

Load planner example responsibilities.

  • Partner with planner to manage inventory levels to meet turnover and open-to-buy objectives.
  • Charge with managing contracts for non-emergency and emergency transportation of Medicaid and Medicare members.
  • Create new part numbers, BOM's and routings for all new hinges.
  • Enter load information into TMW system.
  • Follow procedures according to FAA and OSHA standards.
  • Upgrade as foreman and run 5 man crews.
  • Show more

Dispatch manager example responsibilities.

  • Utilize GPS tracking system in order to manage, trace and locate drivers within their assign locations.
  • Direct employees in identifying and correcting any unsafe conditions, eliminate avoidable accidents and improve department performance manage KPI's.
  • Introduce and implement the GPS system for driver tracking.
  • Renegotiate current LTL rate discounts with regional partner carriers.
  • Conduct defensive driving training classes and CDL license procedures and pretesting for qualify individuals.
  • Utilize RoadNet routing software to increase driver productivity, route efficiency and service levels.
  • Show more

Load planner vs dispatch manager skills

Common load planner skills
  • Logistics, 13%
  • Hub, 11%
  • DOT, 8%
  • Safety Regulations, 5%
  • Freight Loads, 5%
  • Strong Analytical, 5%
Common dispatch manager skills
  • DOT, 24%
  • GPS, 7%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • Disciplinary Actions, 4%
  • Safety Regulations, 4%
  • CDL, 4%

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