Logisticians
SOC Code: 13-1081
Logisticians carries a 52% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $80,880 and +16.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 241,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Logisticians (SOC 13-1081) carries an AI exposure score of 52%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 241,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +16.7% change through 2034 — a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $80,880, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Logisticians. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Maintain databases of logistics information.
- 2. Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer's key personnel involved in, or directly relevant to, a logistics activity.
- 3. Remotely monitor the flow of vehicles or inventory, using Web-based logistics information systems to track vehicles or containers.
- 4. Communicate with or monitor service providers, such as ocean carriers, air freight forwarders, global consolidators, customs brokers, or trucking companies.
- 5. Reorganize shipping schedules to consolidate loads, maximize vehicle usage, or limit the movement of empty vehicles or containers.
- 6. Track product flow from origin to final delivery.
- 7. Develop an understanding of customers' needs and take actions to ensure that such needs are met.
- 8. Identify cost-reduction or process-improvement logistic opportunities.
- 9. Analyze or interpret logistics data involving customer service, forecasting, procurement, manufacturing, inventory, transportation, or warehousing.
- 10. Prepare logistic strategies or conceptual designs for production facilities.
Key Skills Required
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Listening
- Complex Problem Solving
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Systems Analysis
- Systems Evaluation
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- English Language
- Computers and Electronics
- Transportation
- Mathematics
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Administrative
- Production and Processing
- Geography
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Logisticians?
Logisticians has an AI exposure score of 52%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Logisticians?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Logisticians is projected to grow by 16.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 241,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Logisticians?
Key skills for Logisticians include Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Logisticians earn?
The median annual wage for Logisticians is $80,880, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Logisticians?
The typical entry-level education for Logisticians is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Logisticians?
Logisticians roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
Explore More on PlainWorkforce
Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).