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The differences between logistics specialists and planning specialists 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 specialist and a planning specialist. Additionally, a planning specialist has an average salary of $69,170, which is higher than the $41,537 average annual salary of a logistics specialist.
The top three skills for a logistics specialist include customer service, shipping receiving and inventory control. The most important skills for a planning specialist are customer service, logistics, and project management.
| Logistics Specialist | Planning Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $41,537 | $69,170 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $33.25 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 35,753 | 31,008 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A logistics specialist is a member of the workforce that handles the logistics procedures in a warehouse or similar establishment. A logistics specialist primarily functions in processing orders, preparing goods, receiving shipments, and even shipping deliveries, ensuring that all transactions are within the allotted schedule. Furthermore, they are in charge of overseeing that all shipments are aligned with the expected quality and quantity, maintaining an accurate record of inventory, producing reports, and coordinating with other members of the team. All while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.
A planning specialist is responsible for monitoring the project management procedures of an organization's operations, ensuring that the team meets budget goals and deadline deliverables. Planning specialists coordinate with suppliers and other third-party vendors for materials needed in the operations, as well as inspecting the efficiency and performance of equipment to prevent delays. They also manage the team's adherence to production schedule, task delegations, and output deliveries. A planning specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing progress reports and performing other related administrative duties.
Logistics specialists and planning specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Logistics Specialist | Planning Specialist | |
| Average salary | $41,537 | $69,170 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $57,000 | Between $49,000 And $97,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | Rockville, MD |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Maryland |
| Best paying company | GCP Applied Technologies | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Government | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a logistics specialist and a planning specialist in terms of educational background:
| Logistics Specialist | Planning Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between logistics specialists' and planning specialists' demographics:
| Logistics Specialist | Planning Specialist | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.5% Female, 33.5% | Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 21.8% Asian, 10.3% White, 49.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.6% Asian, 11.3% White, 52.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |