Every truckload, container and parcel in Canada passes through people who never drive it. Customs specialists clear it at the border, forwarders book the space, dispatchers match it to a driver, and warehouse leads get it on and off the dock. This guide covers those logistics careers in Canada: the official occupation codes, what federal wage data shows they pay, which kinds of employers hire for them, and the credentials that help you move up.
Quick takeaways
- Most non-driving logistics roles fit a handful of NOC 2021 codes: 13200 (customs, ship and other brokers), 13201 (production and transportation logistics coordinators), 14404 (dispatchers), 14405 (transportation route and crew schedulers), 14400 (shippers and receivers) and 12013 (supply chain supervisors).
- Job Bank reports that transportation logistics coordinators in Canada usually earn between $21.63 and $44.79 an hour. Dispatchers have a national median of $28.00 an hour (reference period 2023 to 2024).
- The main credentials are the CITT CCLP, CIFFA certificates and the CIFFA Professional Freight Forwarder designation, the CSCB Certified Customs Specialist, and the Supply Chain Canada SCMP.
- College programs such as Seneca Polytechnic's International Transportation and Customs diploma lead directly into customs and forwarding work.
The Main Logistics Career Tracks and Their NOC Codes
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the federal system that Job Bank, Statistics Canada and most government programs use to group jobs. Knowing the code for your target role lets you pull official wage data, job outlooks and typical requirements in a couple of minutes.
Customs specialists and brokers (NOC 13200)
Job Bank describes this group as people who clear goods through customs on behalf of importers and exporters. Duties include preparing import and export documents, quoting duty and tax rates, and advising clients on tariff systems and import restrictions. Entry titles include customs clerk, customs clearance agent and customs coordinator. Job Bank lists the usual requirement as a college diploma, a short apprenticeship, or more than six months of on-the-job training.
Logistics and forwarding coordinators (NOC 13201)
This code covers production and transportation logistics coordinators. Many forwarding operations, import and export coordination, and carrier booking roles sit here. The work involves quoting, booking space with ocean, air, rail and truck carriers, tracking shipments and fixing problems when freight is delayed or short.
Dispatchers and schedulers (NOC 14404 and 14405)
Dispatchers assign loads to drivers and equipment and handle exceptions in real time. Route and crew schedulers build the plans dispatchers work from. These jobs are the most common way for drivers to come off the road, because knowing hours of service, lane times and equipment limits is part of the job.
Shipping, receiving and warehouse leadership (NOC 14400 and 12013)
Shippers and receivers (14400) check, record and stage freight. Supervisors of supply chain, tracking and scheduling occupations (12013) run shifts, assign work, track productivity and are responsible for safety. Many warehouse leads start as material handlers (NOC 75101) and work up.
Supply chain analysts
Analyst roles are harder to pin to one code. Depending on the employer, the same title can be classified under logistics coordination, purchasing or business analysis. When checking pay, search the exact job title on Job Bank and see which NOC code it maps to.
What Logistics Jobs Pay in Canada
Pay depends on region, shift, employer size and credentials. The most reliable free source is Job Bank's wage data, which draws on the Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey.
Figures from Job Bank
- Transportation logistics coordinator (NOC 13201): Job Bank reports that people in this role in Canada usually earn between $21.63 and $44.79 an hour. The Ontario range it lists is $20.19 to $41.83.
- Dispatchers (NOC 14404): Canada-wide, $20.00 low, $28.00 median and $41.76 high per hour (reference period 2023 to 2024). Alberta's median is $30.00 and British Columbia's is $31.35. Job Bank also reports that 88.3 percent of Canadian workers in this code get at least one non-wage benefit.
How to read these numbers
The low end of each range is roughly entry level. The high end reflects senior coordinators, people with licences or designations, and workers in expensive markets. To turn an hourly rate into a rough annual figure, multiply by about 2,000 hours for full-time work.
Check your own role in five minutes
Go to Job Bank's wage search, enter your target title or NOC code, and filter by your economic region. Compare that range with the pay posted in real listings. If a posting falls well below the regional median, ask about shift premiums, overtime or benefits before you decide.
Who Hires for Logistics Roles in Canada
The same title means different daily work depending on the employer. The companies below are well-known Canadian operators in each segment. They are examples of the kind of employer to research, not a list of current openings.
Customs brokers and freight forwarders
Livingston International is one of the largest customs brokerage firms in Canada. Global forwarders such as Kuehne+Nagel, DHL Global Forwarding and DSV run Canadian offices, mostly near Pearson Airport and the Port of Vancouver and Port of Montreal. These employers hire the most customs specialists and forwarding coordinators.
Third-party logistics providers
DHL Supply Chain, GXO and Canadian-owned operators run warehouses and fulfillment centres for other companies' goods. The Peel Region cluster of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon has one of the densest concentrations of 3PL buildings in the country. Expect openings for warehouse leads, inventory control, account coordinators and transportation planners.
Retailers and grocers with private networks
Loblaw, Canadian Tire, Walmart Canada, Sobeys and Metro run their own distribution centres. They hire replenishment analysts, DC supervisors and transportation planners, and hiring rises ahead of the fourth-quarter peak.
Rail, parcel and carriers
CN, CPKC, Purolator and Canada Post hire intermodal coordinators, yard and terminal supervisors, and network planners as well as operating crews. Large trucking carriers hire dispatchers and load planners at their terminals.
Credentials and Training That Employers Recognize
Most logistics jobs do not require a designation to get started. For customs, forwarding and supervisory roles, though, the right credential can shorten your job search and support a raise.
CITT: Certified Canadian Logistics Professional (CCLP)
The Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation awards the CCLP, which covers transportation, logistics management and supply chain operations in a Canadian context. It suits coordinators, planners and managers who want a broad credential. CITT also accepts some college and university courses toward the designation, so check whether yours count before you enroll.
CIFFA: forwarding certificates and the PFF designation
The Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association offers certificate courses on international forwarding, including documentation, modes, Incoterms and liability. Experienced forwarders can go on to the Professional Freight Forwarder (PFF) designation. If you want to work at a forwarder, this is the most directly relevant training in Canada.
CSCB: Certified Customs Specialist (CCS)
The Canadian Society of Customs Brokers runs the CCS program, which many brokerage firms use as a baseline for customs staff. Becoming a licensed customs broker is a separate process run by the Canada Border Services Agency. Check the current CBSA licensing requirements before planning around it, because they have changed in recent years.
Supply Chain Canada: SCMP
The Supply Chain Management Professional designation leans toward procurement, sourcing and strategic supply chain work. It fits analysts and planners who want to move into buying or supply chain management.
College programs
Seneca Polytechnic in Toronto offers an International Transportation and Customs diploma that combines customs, forwarding and trade documentation. Humber Polytechnic and several other Ontario colleges offer supply chain management diplomas and graduate certificates. In Quebec, CEGEPs and private colleges offer transport logistics programs in French. Before you apply, check each program's current intake, whether it has co-op, and whether it earns credit toward CITT or CIFFA credentials.
Moving Into Logistics From Driving or the Warehouse Floor
Most people do not start in a logistics office. They come from driving, general warehouse work or customer service. Here are steps you can take this week.
From driver to dispatcher or planner
On your resume, write down the lanes, freight types and equipment you know, plus any electronic logging device or TMS software you have used. Ask your current carrier whether it cross-trains drivers on the dispatch desk. Many do, especially for night and weekend coverage.
From material handler to warehouse lead
Ask to train as a backup lead on your shift. Keep your forklift certification current and learn the site's warehouse management system well enough to explain it. Supervisors usually pick internal leads they have watched handle a bad shift.
From customer service to customs or forwarding
Take one CIFFA or CSCB course first, then apply to brokerage and forwarding firms for entry customs clerk or import coordinator roles. Hiring managers read a completed course as proof that you are serious about the field.
What TransportationCareers.ca Does and Who It Is For
TransportationCareers.ca is a Canadian job board for transportation and logistics work. It lists driving roles and also the office, warehouse, customs and planning jobs covered above.
For job seekers
Search by function (customs, dispatch, planner, inventory, warehouse lead) instead of relying on one job title, since titles vary between employers. If you are open to work in Quebec, try the French terms too, such as repartiteur and coordonnateur logistique. You can browse openings and build a profile at TransportationCareers.ca for job seekers.
For employers
The candidate pool for customs, forwarding and planning roles is small and experienced. List the NOC-level duties, the systems you use, any preferred credentials (CCS, CIFFA, CCLP) and a pay range that matches the Job Bank data for your region. Posting options are at TransportationCareers.ca for employers.
FAQ
What NOC code covers customs brokers in Canada?
Customs, ship and other brokers are NOC 13200 under NOC 2021. Job Bank uses this code for wage data, job outlooks and requirements for customs broker, customs clearance agent and ship agent titles.
How much do logistics coordinators earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports that transportation logistics coordinators (NOC 13201) usually earn between $21.63 and $44.79 an hour nationally. Check your own economic region on Job Bank, because local ranges differ.
Which designation should I get first?
For customs work, start with the CSCB Certified Customs Specialist. For forwarding, take CIFFA certificate courses. For planning, coordination or management, look at the CITT CCLP. For procurement-focused analyst roles, look at the SCMP.
Can a truck driver move into a logistics office job?
Yes. Dispatch (NOC 14404) and route scheduling (NOC 14405) are the most common next steps because they rely on knowing hours of service, lanes and equipment. Job Bank lists a national median of $28.00 an hour for dispatchers.
Where are most logistics jobs in Canada?
The largest clusters are in Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area, Greater Montreal, the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, and Calgary. These areas have major ports, airports, rail terminals or distribution centres.
Is TransportationCareers.ca only for driving jobs?
No. TransportationCareers.ca lists warehouse, customs, forwarding, dispatch and planning roles alongside driving positions.
Ready to Take the Next Step
Logistics careers in Canada reward people who understand how freight actually moves, and employers need that knowledge in every brokerage, forwarding office and distribution centre. Whether you are hiring or job hunting, TransportationCareers.ca serves both sides of the market. Employers can review pricing and post a role at TransportationCareers.ca for employers. Job seekers can browse openings and create a profile at TransportationCareers.ca for job seekers.