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The differences between logistics specialists and supply planners 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 supply planner. Additionally, a supply planner has an average salary of $70,602, 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 supply planner are supply chain, logistics, and demand planning.
| Logistics Specialist | Supply Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $41,537 | $70,602 |
| Hourly rate | $19.97 | $33.94 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 35,753 | 39,798 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| 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 supply planner is primarily in charge of maintaining a company's inventory of supplies, ensuring all are sufficient and efficient. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring and counting the inventory, maintaining accurate records, reviewing receipts and other documentation, anticipating product demands, and liaising with vendors and suppliers. Should there be any supply emergencies or issues, one must visit manufacturers or suppliers. There may also be instances where one has to lift products and propose changes in the inventory processes.
Logistics specialists and supply planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Logistics Specialist | Supply Planner | |
| Average salary | $41,537 | $70,602 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $57,000 | Between $48,000 And $101,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | GCP Applied Technologies | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Government | Technology |
There are a few differences between a logistics specialist and a supply planner in terms of educational background:
| Logistics Specialist | Supply Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 43% | Bachelor's Degree, 76% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between logistics specialists' and supply planners' demographics:
| Logistics Specialist | Supply Planner | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.5% Female, 33.5% | Male, 52.2% Female, 47.8% |
| 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, 10.6% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 11.9% White, 52.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |