Mid-Level

International Logistics Manager

The cross-border logistics specialist — navigating customs, carriers, and regulations to move goods across international boundaries.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
E
C
R
I
S
A
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for International Logistics Managers
Employment concentration · ~353 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a International Logistics Manager

As an International Logistics Manager, you're responsible for moving goods across borders. You're managing ocean and air freight, coordinating with customs brokers, ensuring trade compliance, and working with carriers and freight forwarders worldwide. Every shipment involves navigating different regulations, documentation requirements, and potential delays.

Your day spans time zones and cultures. You might start tracking inbound shipments from Asia, then resolve a customs hold in Europe, then negotiate rates with a freight forwarder, then work with compliance on new tariff classifications. International logistics requires constant communication with parties who may speak different languages and operate under different business norms.

The hardest part is managing uncertainty. Ships get delayed, ports get congested, customs regulations change, and geopolitical events disrupt trade lanes. You need to build resilience into the supply chain while keeping costs competitive. The people who thrive here enjoy complexity, can build relationships across cultures, and stay calm when shipments go sideways.

RelationshipsAbove avg
IndependenceAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
SupportModerate
AchievementModerate
RecognitionModerate
O*NET Work Values survey
StrategyExecution
StructuredAdaptable
ManagingContributing
CollaborativeIndependent
Trade lanesTransport modesProduct typeCompany structureCompliance complexity
International logistics varies by what you ship and where. High-value products may prioritize air freight and speed; bulk commodities focus on ocean cost optimization. Some companies manage logistics in-house; others rely on 3PLs and freight forwarders. Trade compliance complexity varies by product — controlled goods, food, pharmaceuticals have more requirements. Emerging market logistics require different approaches than developed market routes.
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all International Logistics Managers (SOC 11-3071.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Exploring the International Logistics Manager career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools
1
Trade compliance strategy
Directors shape how companies navigate tariffs and trade agreements
2
Network design
Senior roles optimize the overall logistics network, not just execute shipments
3
Carrier partnership management
Strategic carrier relationships become more important at higher levels
What are the primary trade lanes and transport modes?
How is the logistics function structured — in-house capabilities vs outsourcing?
What's the current state of carrier relationships and contracts?
How complex is trade compliance for this product set?
What visibility and tracking systems are used?
✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$61K–$181K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
213K
U.S. Employment
+6.1%
10yr Growth
19K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$110K$107K$104K$101K$99K201920202021202220232024$99K$110K
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCoordinationMonitoringInstructingComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementSystems AnalysisWritingSpeaking
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
11-3071.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.