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The differences between route managers 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 route manager and a distribution coordinator. Additionally, a route manager has an average salary of $50,375, which is higher than the $37,166 average annual salary of a distribution coordinator.
The top three skills for a route manager include DOT, CDL and OSHA. The most important skills for a distribution coordinator are customer service, management system, and shipping receiving.
| Route Manager | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $50,375 | $37,166 |
| Hourly rate | $24.22 | $17.87 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 7,162 | 31,587 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A route manager determines strategic routes transport vehicles may take to every destination. A route manager's primary responsibility is to mark the shortest and fastest way to the customer's destination. The route manager also collects information from various road network sources and gets live updates of the current traffic situation in a given area. Through the route manager, transport vehicles become useful, productive, and efficient. The route manager also surveys existing routes and updates them whenever needed.
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.
Route managers and distribution coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Route Manager | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $50,375 | $37,166 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $66,000 | Between $29,000 And $46,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Leandro, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Rhode Island | California |
| Best paying company | Harsco | Fresenius Kabi |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Energy |
There are a few differences between a route manager and a distribution coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Route Manager | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between route managers' and distribution coordinators' demographics:
| Route Manager | Distribution Coordinator | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.0% Female, 13.0% | Male, 56.8% Female, 43.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 6.7% White, 59.9% 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% |