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The differences between transportation managers and logistics directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a transportation manager, becoming a logistics director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a logistics director has an average salary of $108,828, which is higher than the $77,378 average annual salary of a transportation manager.
The top three skills for a transportation manager include customer service, DOT and supply chain. The most important skills for a logistics director are supply chain, continuous improvement, and logistics operations.
| Transportation Manager | Logistics Director | |
| Yearly salary | $77,378 | $108,828 |
| Hourly rate | $37.20 | $52.32 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 25,248 | 33,997 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A transportation manager is an individual who is responsible for directing and managing tasks that involves all the transportation activities within the organization. Transportation managers must ensure that goods and passengers have reached their destination safely by inspecting and providing maintenance to the organization's vehicles. During the hiring process, transportation managers must make sure that drivers and operators have the correct and up to date qualifications. They must also avoid passenger overload and should keep accurate records of passengers and goods that are being transported.
A logistics director spearheads and oversees a company's logistics operations. They are primarily responsible for setting goals and guidelines, managing the budgets and timelines, researching new opportunities, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of operations, and implementing solutions against problem areas. They must also maintain positive relationships with key clients and external parties, such as distributors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead employees while implementing the company's policies and regulations, recommending new ones as needed.
Transportation managers and logistics directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Transportation Manager | Logistics Director | |
| Average salary | $77,378 | $108,828 |
| Salary range | Between $53,000 And $111,000 | Between $70,000 And $167,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newark, NJ | San Leandro, CA |
| Highest paying state | Virginia | Washington |
| Best paying company | Accenture | Barnes & Noble |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | - |
There are a few differences between a transportation manager and a logistics director in terms of educational background:
| Transportation Manager | Logistics Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between transportation managers' and logistics directors' demographics:
| Transportation Manager | Logistics Director | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7% | Male, 83.5% Female, 16.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |