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The differences between load planners and distribution coordinators 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 distribution coordinator. Additionally, a load planner has an average salary of $40,526, which is higher than the $37,166 average annual salary of a distribution coordinator.
The top three skills for a load planner include logistics, hub and DOT. The most important skills for a distribution coordinator are customer service, management system, and shipping receiving.
| Load Planner | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $40,526 | $37,166 |
| Hourly rate | $19.48 | $17.87 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 16,050 | 31,587 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Load Planners are responsible for optimizing and streamlining the process of freight transportation. Their duties include creating profitable network transport strategies involving routing, optimization, and load planning, implementing system parameters, attending to client's emails and calls, and executing corrective action. They are responsible for tracking pick-up and delivery time, participate in carrier negotiation, and carrying out shipment expeditions. Load Planners also produce service reports, chair meetings, and facilitate automation initiatives. They conduct carrier escalation, reports approval, and lead cross-training sessions to improve operational competency.
A distribution coordinator oversees and coordinates the distribution operations of a warehouse, ensuring products get to their destinations in a timely and accurate manner. They typically set guidelines and objectives, perform assessments and inspections, liaise with internal and external parties, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They also monitor and track shipments, resolve scheduling conflicts, and update vendors regularly. Moreover, as a distribution coordinator, it is essential to lead and encourage staff to reach goals, all while implementing the company's standards and regulations.
Load planners and distribution coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Load Planner | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $40,526 | $37,166 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $60,000 | Between $29,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Fresenius Kabi |
| Best paying industry | - | Energy |
There are a few differences between a load planner and a distribution coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Load Planner | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between load planners' and distribution coordinators' demographics:
| Load Planner | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 63.9% Female, 36.1% | Male, 56.8% Female, 43.2% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 21.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 55.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |