Logistics Coordinator Vs Dispatcher

The differences between logistics coordinators and dispatchers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a logistics coordinator, becoming a dispatcher takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a logistics coordinator has an average salary of $39,846, which is higher than the $35,328 average annual salary of a dispatcher.

The top three skills for a logistics coordinator include customer service, work ethic and on-time delivery. The most important skills for a dispatcher are customer service, data entry, and computer aided dispatch.

Logistics coordinator vs dispatcher overview

Logistics CoordinatorDispatcher
Yearly Salary$39,846$35,328
Hourly rate$19.16$16.98
Growth Rate28%4%
Number Of Jobs39,4495,818
Job Satisfaction-4.25
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 58%High School Diploma, 33%
Average Age4543
Years Of Experience62

What does a Logistics Coordinator do?

A logistics coordinator is responsible for ensuring that an organization's supply operations are running smoothly and efficiently. One of their primary duties is to manage the workflow and workforce while focusing on the cycle of order preparations, transportation, and delivery of products. Aside from overseeing the logistics process of supplies, it is also their task to prepare and review necessary documents, maintain accuracy in inventory, devise schedules, facilitate and monitor warehouse capacity, and respond to customers' inquiries.

What does a dispatcher do?

Dispatchers are generally responsible for coordinating with the customers regarding the delivery status of the products and providing precise logistics and the fastest transportation routes to the professional drivers to ensure smooth and timely deliveries. A dispatcher is required to monitor the driver's location, strictly track road situations at all times to provide real-time updates for the customers, and advise the driver for alternative routes. Dispatchers also need to address possible customer complaints and process scheduling accurately to avoid inconsistencies in the delivery time.

Logistics coordinator vs dispatcher salary

Logistics coordinators and dispatchers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Logistics CoordinatorDispatcher
Average Salary$39,846$35,328
Salary RangeBetween $30,000 And $52,000Between $27,000 And $44,000
Highest Paying CityNew York, NYSeattle, WA
Highest Paying StateNew YorkAlaska
Best Paying CompanyWorld Fuel ServicesMt. San Antonio College
Best Paying IndustryEnergyGovernment

Differences between logistics coordinator and dispatcher education

There are a few differences between a logistics coordinator and a dispatcher in terms of educational background:

Logistics CoordinatorDispatcher
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 58%High School Diploma, 33%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common CollegeStanford University-

Logistics coordinator vs dispatcher demographics

Here are the differences between logistics coordinators' and dispatchers' demographics:

Logistics CoordinatorDispatcher
Average Age4543
Gender RatioMale, 58.5% Female, 41.5%Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
Race RatioBlack or African American, 11.2% 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, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.8% White, 62.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage5%7%

Differences between logistics coordinator and dispatcher duties and responsibilities

Logistics Coordinator Example Responsibilities.

  • Track production levels and provide status updates to sr. leadership and department leads through weekly reports and conference calls.
  • Assemble customer orders from stock and place on pallets or shelves, or conveys orders to packing station or shipping department.
  • Prepare documents for ocean export shipments and import documents for distribution to brokerage operation and customer's freight forwarders.
  • Coordinate and monitor freight forwarders, customs brokers and trucking vendors for inbound and outbound door-to-door international and domestic refrigerate shipments.
  • Create and submit material requisitions in MAXIMO.
  • Obtain schedule b numbers for export commodities.
  • Show More

Dispatcher Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage accounts payable (A/P) and accounts receivable (A/R) using QuickBooks.
  • Manage dot hrs for drivers as far as what tasks can be done in a certain amount of time.
  • Manage customer service satisfaction by providing update eta and location of drivers.
  • Dispatch police fire and ems.
  • Dispatch district security patrol officers to assist district employees, students and residents with emergency situations.
  • Earn CDL with passenger endorsement.
  • Show More

Logistics coordinator vs dispatcher skills

Common Logistics Coordinator Skills
  • Customer Service, 23%
  • Work Ethic, 7%
  • On-Time Delivery, 7%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Freight Carriers, 5%
  • Purchase Orders, 4%
Common Dispatcher Skills
  • Customer Service, 34%
  • Data Entry, 8%
  • Computer Aided Dispatch, 4%
  • Non-Emergency Calls, 4%
  • Emergency Situations, 3%
  • EMS, 3%

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