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The differences between logistics planners and planner/buyers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a logistics planner and a planner/buyer. Additionally, a logistics planner has an average salary of $63,554, which is higher than the $54,261 average annual salary of a planner/buyer.
The top three skills for a logistics planner include customer service, supply chain and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a planner/buyer are supply chain, purchase orders, and customer service.
| Logistics Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Yearly salary | $63,554 | $54,261 |
| Hourly rate | $30.55 | $26.09 |
| Growth rate | 28% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 30,339 | 33,452 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A logistics planner is responsible for tracking and monitoring the shipment operations of warehouse and distribution centers. Logistics planners assist with the project management procedures, identifying resources, calculating cost and expenses reports, and the manufacturing timetables. They also coordinate with suppliers and third-party vendors to verify delivery and shipment details and ensure clear and accurate specifics. A logistics planner must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on data processing procedures and updating product information on the database.
The role of buyers/planners is to ensure that office materials and equipment are well-supplied within their organization. They decide and purchase the materials needed for use or resale by their organization. They are responsible for evaluating prospective suppliers based on their cost, product quality, and delivery times. They are also the ones who negotiate contracts specifying the payment terms, price, and delivery schedules. Most employers prefer their buyer to have earned a bachelor's degree with a major in operations management or business management.
Logistics planners and planner/buyers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Logistics Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average salary | $63,554 | $54,261 |
| Salary range | Between $48,000 And $83,000 | Between $37,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Billerica, MA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Intuitive Surgical | Edwards Lifesciences |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Technology |
There are a few differences between a logistics planner and a planner/buyer in terms of educational background:
| Logistics Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between logistics planners' and planner/buyers' demographics:
| Logistics Planner | Planner/Buyer | |
| Average age | 41 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.0% Female, 35.0% | Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 11.4% White, 51.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 7% |