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The differences between logistics support specialists and logistics 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 support specialist and a logistics planner. Additionally, a logistics planner has an average salary of $63,554, which is higher than the $35,961 average annual salary of a logistics support specialist.
The top three skills for a logistics support specialist include logistics support, test equipment and technical manuals. The most important skills for a logistics planner are customer service, supply chain, and continuous improvement.
| Logistics Support Specialist | Logistics Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $35,961 | $63,554 |
| Hourly rate | $17.29 | $30.55 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 28% |
| Number of jobs | 104,890 | 30,339 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A logistics support specialist liaises with clients and vendors on behalf of the company, ensuring a clear and active communication line for a smooth workflow. Moreover, as a logistics support specialist, they must track the products from pick-up through delivery, maintain documents, research new business and client opportunities, identify the strengths and weaknesses of current procedures, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They may also communicate with clients, answer calls or correspondence, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently.
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.
Logistics support specialists and logistics planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Logistics Support Specialist | Logistics Planner | |
| Average salary | $35,961 | $63,554 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $46,000 | Between $48,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Baltimore, MD |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | Maryland |
| Best paying company | DeWitt LLP Law Firm | Intuitive Surgical |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a logistics support specialist and a logistics planner in terms of educational background:
| Logistics Support Specialist | Logistics Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between logistics support specialists' and logistics planners' demographics:
| Logistics Support Specialist | Logistics Planner | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4% | Male, 65.0% Female, 35.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 21.4% Asian, 10.2% White, 50.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |