Career comparison
Logistics Coordinator vs. Truck Driver
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Logistics coordinators earn more at the median ($82,320 vs. $58,640), while truck drivers usually get to work faster (3–7 weeks of training). Logistics coordinators plan and track how products move from suppliers to customers, on time and on budget. Truck drivers haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Logistics Coordinator | Truck Driver | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $82,320 ($39.58/hr) | $58,640 ($28.19/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $50,890 – $133,160 | $40,140 – $79,380 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +17.6% (much faster than average) | +3.8% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 26,600 | 214,500 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 1–4 years | 3–7 weeks |
| Key credential | CLTD (ASCM) | CDL Class A |
| Work setting | Logistics coordinators work in offices at manufacturers, retailers, distributors, 3PLs, freight brokers and government agencies, sometimes visiting warehouses. | Drivers spend most of the day in the truck cab, sometimes loading or unloading at docks. |
What each job does
Logistics Coordinator
- Schedule and book shipments with carriers
- Track shipments and update customers and teams
- Coordinate with warehouses, suppliers and customers
- Prepare and review shipping documents
- Resolve delays, damages and billing discrepancies
Truck Driver
- Inspect trucks and trailers before and after trips
- Plan routes considering weight, height, traffic and weather
- Drive safely while following traffic laws and federal regulations
- Record hours of service with an electronic logging device (ELD)
- Secure cargo and verify loads against shipping documents
How they’re similar
Both careers involve in-demand. Both are part of the transportation & logistics field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose logistics coordinator if…
- I like solving problems and juggling details
- I stay calm when plans fall apart
- I’m comfortable on the phone and email all day
Choose truck driver if…
- I like working independently
- I enjoy driving and don’t mind long hours on the road
- I want to start earning within a couple of months
Still torn? Take the Logistics Coordinator fit quiz and the Truck Driver fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, logistics coordinator or truck driver?
Logistics Coordinators earn more at the median: $82,320 versus $58,640 for truck drivers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Truck Drivers typically train faster (3–7 weeks) than logistics coordinators (1–4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects logistics coordinators to grow +17.6% from 2025–35, compared with +3.8% for truck drivers.