Supply Chain Managers

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $107,230/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$65,120$194,900

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +6.1% projected growth, 2024–2034 — faster than average.

About 18,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills

MonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCoordinationSpeakingCritical ThinkingWritingComplex Problem Solving

Top knowledge areas

TransportationAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageEconomics and AccountingCustomer and Personal ServiceProduction and ProcessingPersonnel and Human ResourcesMathematics

Core tasks

• 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.

• Define performance metrics for measurement, comparison, or evaluation of supply chain factors, such as product cost or quality.

• Implement new or improved supply chain processes to improve efficiency or performance.

• Develop procedures for coordination of supply chain management with other functional areas, such as sales, marketing, finance, production, or quality assurance.

• Confer with supply chain planners to forecast demand or create supply plans that ensure availability of materials or products.

• Analyze inventories to determine how to increase inventory turns, reduce waste, or optimize customer service.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Supply Chain Managers?

The median pay for Supply Chain Managers is $107,230 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Supply Chain Managers?

Employment for Supply Chain Managers is projected to change +6.1% from 2024 to 2034 - faster than average.

What education is typically required for Supply Chain Managers?

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.

How many job openings are there each year for Supply Chain Managers?

About 18,500 openings per year, on average, over the decade.