Are brighter days really here?

By Mike Levans, Chief Editor -- Logistics Management, 3/1/2005

I would like to thank the logistics professionals who took part in Logistics Management's 21st Annual Salary Survey. By moving the survey completely online in 2005, we were able to more than double the response rate compared to last year, when we were relying on readers to mail in their completed surveys.

Those results gave us further proof of the effectiveness of LM's electronic initiatives. More importantly, the sheer volume of qualified responses underscores the validity of what is consistently the best-read feature in our publishing calendar.

The best piece of news, however, can be found in our cover story, deftly reported by Executive Editor James Cooke. According to this year's findings, the average annual salary for logistics professionals has reached $83,790, a 6.6 percent pay hike over last year's $78,600 and the third-largest pay raise in a decade. This is the first break in the clouds in two years—a ray of sun after several years when salaries were dead flat and the number of job functions logistics professionals were handling was on the rise.

In another positive sign, readers told us that their average number of direct reports increased from 13.3 to 13.8. That's not an earth-shattering increase, but it is a subtle indication that companies may be starting to restore positions that were downsized in gloomier times.

Should you dig out the sunglasses? Perhaps. At the very least, it may be the right time to dust off your resume. Executive recruiters are reporting that in the last three months of 2004, they saw an increase in job orders from companies looking for logistics candidates with college degrees and a history of promotions. Bob McInturff, an executive placement specialist, tells Cooke that 2005 is going to be "a good year to change jobs" for candidates who have the right stuff.

It's been a long time since an author of this column has been able to say this, but it's a pleasure to bring LM readers the results of this year's Annual Salary Survey. Our best-read feature of 2005 begins on page 28.

I just want to drop a quick note to welcome veteran transportation journalist John D. Schultz to our stable of writers. Having John on board will expand our already broad network of contacts and bring yet another experienced voice to the pages of Logistics Management. Says Schultz: "I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to write for LM'sreaders, whom I consider to be some of the savviest professionals in the world." John's first feature for LM begins on page 37.