Supply Chain Management Careers and Salary

Before a product appears on a store shelf or becomes available for online purchase, it must be created and distributed. The logistics of sourcing materials, building the product, and getting it into the hands of the intended end user may be a complex process. Organizations may look to qualified individuals who can effectively manage the logistics of the supply chain. Professionals are often hired to coordinate the planning and delivery of goods to keep costs down while customer satisfaction and safety ratings remain high. Without this role, organizations may not withstand an increasingly competitive marketplace.

Supply Chain Management Job Description

O*NET, the occupational database sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration, classifies Supply Chain Managers under code 11-3071.04 and describes this occupation's duties and tasks.

Wage and employment figures in this article come directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey for the related BLS category Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (11-3071) — the wage category O*NET maps Supply Chain Managers to.

O*NET summary of Supply Chain Managers (11-3071.04)

“Direct or coordinate production, purchasing, warehousing, distribution, or financial forecasting services or activities to limit costs and improve accuracy, customer service, or safety. Examine existing procedures or opportunities for streamlining activities to meet product distribution needs. Direct the movement, storage, or processing of inventory.”

Supply chain managers are responsible for more than implementing and managing efficient supply chain activities related to consumer products. Per O*NET's broader task description for this occupation, they may also manage the movement of military supplies and personnel. Their primary purpose is to plan and oversee the movement of deliverables by using software programs to help organize, plan and manage multiple products or responsibilities.

According to O*NET, supply chain managers perform tasks including:

• Determine appropriate equipment and staffing levels to load, unload, move or store materials
• Manage activities related to strategic or tactical purchasing, material requirements planning, controlling inventory, warehousing or receiving
• Select transportation routes to maximize economy by combining shipments or consolidating warehousing and distribution
• Negotiate prices and terms with suppliers, vendors or freight forwarders
• Monitor suppliers' activities to assess performance in meeting quality or delivery requirements
• Design or implement supply chains that support business strategies adapted to changing market conditions
• Actual job descriptions may contain more or fewer duties than those listed here.

3 Supply Chain Manager Jobs

Supply chain managers may work under different job titles while performing similar duties, and each position's primary focus will vary based on the size and structure of the organization. The following are general, illustrative descriptions of common title variations rather than a verified duty list for any single employer — here are three to explore that provide the opportunity to think analytically in an integral supply chain role.

1. Supply Chain Logistics Manager

Supply chain logistics managers often oversee one or more departments based on the organization's structure. For example, they may oversee the supply chain, logistics, and projects departments. These roles typically require individuals to coordinate the supply chain, from materials handling, production, packaging, and inventory to transportation, while meeting customer and business standards.

2. Purchasing Manager

Purchasing managers typically oversee buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Job duties may include representing companies in negotiating contracts with suppliers, creating and implementing purchasing and contract management plans and creating strategies to reduce costs.

3. Logistics Analytics Manager

Logistics analytics managers often review internal and external data to identify inefficiencies and suggest improved processes while maintaining or improving productivity, profitability and safety.

Responsibilities and required skill sets may overlap across different job titles. Each organization defines which duties matter most based on its needs and industry. Most will be listed in the job posting, but some may be added as you grow in your position.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 221,180 Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers nationally as of May 2025 — the BLS wage category to which O*NET maps Supply Chain Managers. The highest-paying industries for this occupation were:

However, the following industries have the highest concentration of employment for this occupation:

Although these are the highest-concentration industries, they aren’t the highest-paying fields for this occupation. Percent-of-industry-employment statistics reveal where the occupation is most commonly employed, while the industries above show where it pays the most on average.

What is the Median Salary for Supply Chain Management Jobs?

The median annual salary for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers — the BLS wage category for Supply Chain Managers — was $107,230 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned $65,120 or less, while the highest 10% earned $194,900 or more. The middle half of the occupation — the 25th to 75th percentile — earned between $82,440 and $146,770.

5 Best-Paying Metropolitan Areas for Supply Chain Managers

As of May 2025, the BLS found the metropolitan areas where this occupation earned the most were:

Some nonmetropolitan areas may have low employment or low concentration of jobs for the occupation but pay at or above the average annual wage.

Top States for Supply Chain Management Careers

According to BLS data, the states with the highest annual average salary don't necessarily have the highest concentration of jobs. For example, the top-paying states for this occupation include:

However, the states with the highest employment level for this occupation are:

Salary can also vary by the type and depth of education pursued — for example, a bachelor's degree versus a master's degree — so it's worth researching a specific program's own outcomes data alongside these figures. Related master's degrees for this field may include a Master of Business Administration — a degree with a general business focus — or a Master of Supply Chain Management, which is more tailored to the field. Consider this data and the average cost of living when deciding if this career and a particular geographic location are a good fit for you.

Is a Supply Chain Manager Career Path Right for You?

If you enjoy leading large projects in a fast-paced environment, working within set procedures, and impacting the global economy, a career as a supply chain manager might be for you.

1 O*NET OnLine. “Summary Report for: Supply Chain Managers (11-3071.04).” https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/11-3071.04

2 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (11-3071) — the wage category O*NET maps Supply Chain Managers (11-3071.04) to. National: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0000000/2025 ; California: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0600000/2025 ; Texas: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/4800000/2025 ; Illinois: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/1700000/2025 ; Ohio: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/3900000/2025 ; New Jersey: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/3400000/2025 ; Delaware: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/1000000/2025 ; District of Columbia: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/1100000/2025 ; Washington: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/5300000/2025 ; Colorado: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0800000/2025 ; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0041940/2025 ; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0041860/2025 ; Trenton-Princeton, NJ: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0045940/2025 ; Decatur, IL: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0019500/2025 ; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/area/0042660/2025 ; Scientific Research and Development Services: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/541700/2025 ; Nondepository Credit Intermediation: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/522200/2025 ; Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221, 5223): https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/5220A1/2025 ; Natural Gas Distribution: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/221200/2025 ; Software Publishers: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/513200/2025 ; Support Activities for Water Transportation: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/488300/2025 ; Freight Transportation Arrangement: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/488500/2025 ; Nonscheduled Air Transportation: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/481200/2025 ; Other Pipeline Transportation: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/486900/2025 ; Inland Water Transportation: https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/industry/483200/2025