Operations and Logistics

Growth in the operations and logistics field will vary in the coming years depending on the industry. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts a 0.8 percent employment increase in the manufacturing industry through 2033. A number of factors are contributing to slow job growth in manufacturing. Many manufacturing jobs are still being sent overseas and more firms are outsourcing jobs to “contract manufacturing.” Contract manufacturing is when manufacturers contract other firms that specialize in creating components or products, for faster, more efficient production of goods. Also, many manufacturing plants are becoming automated, requiring workers who have more technical skills than those hired in the past. The transportation and warehousing industry, on the other hand, will increase by 5.9 percent through 2033. This growth is being driven by the increase in e-commerce, which has increased the demand for warehousing and transportation services.

Employment growth of 2.8 percent is projected for workers in the wholesale trade sector through 2033. Wholesale trade services will continue to be needed as this sector is part of the supply chain of manufacturing, retail trade, health care, social assistance, and other sectors.

Operations and logistics professionals who work in professional and business services will have good job prospects through 2033, with employment growing by 7.2 percent. Companies continue to seek the best ways to lower costs and improve business operations, which has resulted in a growing movement to retain consulting services for such tasks rather than hiring full-time workers.

The career of logistician ranks amongst the 20 fastest-growing careers from 2023 through 2033. Employment is expected to grow by 19 percent during this time span. Most logisticians work in government and manufacturing, and will be needed to manage the transportation of goods in the global economy. Companies will need logisticians to manage increasingly complex supply chain processes. Employment opportunities will also arise due to the need to replace logisticians who retire or leave the field. Logisticians who are skilled in logistical software or who have experience in military logistical work will have the best job prospects.

Employment for industrial production managers will grow about as fast as the average for all careers through 2033. Many manufacturing companies are adapting leaner production models, which are helping them to increase productivity with fewer workers than needed in the past. Some manufacturing companies are sending work to other countries. There has been some recent activity in “reshoring,” however, which may offer more job prospects for industrial production managers. Reshoring is when outsourced personnel and services are brought back to the United States from other countries. There are also some companies that are locating manufacturing plants and businesses in lower cost areas of the United States as opposed to foreign countries. This trend of “domestic sourcing” may also offer opportunities for industrial production managers and related workers.

Employment of transportation, storage, and distribution managers is projected to increase by 9 percent from 2023 to 2033. This is much faster than the average. "As the growth of e-commerce makes supply chain management more dynamic and complex, transportation, storage, and distribution managers will be in demand for enhanced integration of logistics with business systems and processes," according to the DOL.

Job opportunities for purchasing managers, buyers, and purchasing agents will increase by 7 percent (faster than the average) through 2033. "These workers will continue to be needed to help procure goods and services for business operations and for resale to customers," according to the DOL. "They also will be needed to oversee complex supply chains and to negotiate and manage contracts with suppliers. However, organizations will likely continue to automate some procurement tasks and may use AI or other technology, which may limit growth." Competition for jobs will be particularly keen so those with a master’s degree in business or supply management will have the advantage in the job market. One trend that is negatively impacting the employment of buyers and purchasing agents, as well as purchasing managers, is the growing popularity of hiring third-parties for market research and supplier assessment.

Employment for cost estimators in transportation and warehousing is expected to decline by 0.7 percent from 2023 through 2033, and job opportunities are predicted to decline by 6.9 percent in manufacturing during this same time span. Demand for cost estimators has declined as a result of the increasing use of cost estimation software, which has improved the productivity of these workers.

Job opportunities for shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks will decline by 8 percent through 2033. The increased use of shipping technologies, including hand-held devices that read barcodes, has sped up the shipping process and reduced the number of shipping clerks needed. Production, planning, and expediting clerks, who are involved in the planning and scheduling of production and shipment processes, will continue to have employment opportunities because their work is not easily replaced by technology.

Operations and logistics companies will continue to invest in technology such as advanced AI, the Industrial Internet of Things, cloud computing, automation, advanced data analytics, robotics, drones, and autonomous vehicles to bolster their workforce, increase efficiency, reduce costs, and prevent employee shortages.

Workers with advanced education, considerable on-the-job experience, and certifications from the Association for Supply Chain Management, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, Institute for Supply Management, International Society of Logistics, and National Contract Management Association will have the best job prospects.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that 38.7 percent of logisticians were women. Only 19.1 percent of industrial production managers were female. These percentages are lower than the representation of women (about 47 percent) in the U.S. workforce. Industry organizations—such as the Women in Logistics—are working to encourage more women to enter the field by offering scholarships, mentoring, and educational and networking opportunities.

Average salaries in many operations and logistics fields are higher than the national average ($63,098, according to the DOL) for all private sector workers. These include wholesale trade ($89,257), professional and business services ($81,167), and manufacturing ($71,436). The average salary in the transportation and warehousing industry ($60,777) is slightly lower than the national average. It’s important to note that earnings are not as high for lower-skilled workers. For example, the average salary for shipping, receiving, and inventory clerks was $42,730, with earnings only ranging from $30,620 to $58,310.