Transport professionals’ salaries are falling behind those of comparable professions, according to analysis of government figures by Parcelhero.
However, the ONS data also revealed that pay for professional drivers is keeping up with inflation.
The online courier said that since 2017, the salaries of logistics professionals had risen comparatively slowly to doctors – despite the fact doctors went on strike this week over what they argued was a decline in their real-term wages.
Parcelhero head of consumer research David Jinks said transport, logistics and storage managers’ salaries had traditionally been competitive compared to professions such as manufacturing and purchasing.
However, he added that the latest ONS figures on quoted salaries in online job adverts showed that they were now slipping behind.
The data showed that a manager in transport and distribution earned an average of £42,900; for managers in storage and warehousing it was £35,400 and logistics managers £48,100.
Directors in the sector earned an average of £63,300 and HGV drivers currently earned an average of £37,600, with couriers and delivery drivers on £32,300.
“In isolation, those salaries sound reasonably competitive, but how do they actually measure up compared to similar professions?” said Jinks.
“Well, the mean average advertised salary for a production manager working in manufacturing is £52,000 and the average salary for a purchasing manager is £61,300. So, compared to these roles, logistics professionals’ salaries look to be some way behind.”
“However, before transport managers start joining doctors on the picket lines, it’s worth noting that their counterparts in retail and wholesale earn an average of just £35,500, according to mean advertised salaries.”
Jinks added: “Concerningly, the average salary for a director working in logistics, warehousing and transport has actually fallen, from £64,200 back in January 2017 to £63,300 today.
“This highlights the wafer-thin margins many transport companies are currently working to.
“At a non-managerial level, wage rises seem to have kept a better pace with inflation. HGV drivers earned an average £28,100 in 2017 compared to £37,600 today and couriers and delivery drivers earned £26,700 back in 2017 compared to £32,300 today.”
Last week, drivers contacted Motor Transport complaining that they were being paid peanuts and it was hauliers’ “greed” that was forcing them to find work outside of the industry.
This was rebutted by haulage bosses, who argued that they did not understand the cost pressures firms were facing.
