Updated: 12. November 2026
In 2026, UK logistics salaries run from about £30,000 for warehouse operatives to £60,000–£65,000 for logistics and supply chain managers. The Road Haulage Association's 2026 pay report puts the median Class 1 HGV driver at £876 a week, or about £45,500 a year. Senior roles such as transport and warehouse managers have mid-point salaries of £62,500. For comparison, the median for all full-time UK employees was £40,911 in April 2026, according to the ONS.
Key takeaways
- Class 1 (C+E) HGV drivers earn a median of £876 a week, but they work 55 hours on average to get it.
- Logistics, warehouse and transport managers typically earn between £50,000 and £75,000.
- Warehouse pay is highest in Doncaster, not London.
- Pay rises in haulage averaged 2.7% for 2026. Full-time pay across the UK rose 4.5%.
- Specialist logistics roles are still hard to fill: a third of employers struggle to meet candidates' salary expectations.
What determines logistics salaries in the UK?
The job title sets the range. Location, hours, licences and seniority decide where in that range you land. Two people in the same job can earn very different amounts.
Location: London does not lead logistics pay the way it leads most sectors. Indeed's June 2026 data for warehouse workers ranks Doncaster first at £13.88 an hour, ahead of London (£13.83), Bristol (£13.73), Tamworth and Peterborough. Those are distribution hubs in the Midlands, Yorkshire and the East. For 2026, the RHA recorded the largest haulage pay awards in the Midlands, Western & Wales region (3.4% on average) and the smallest in the South & East (2.3%).
Hours and shift patterns: Driver pay depends on long hours. Class 1 drivers in the RHA survey worked 55 hours a week on average, compared with 42 hours for warehouse staff. Nights, overtime and "tramping" (nights away from home) raise take-home pay.
Licences and specialist skills: A C+E licence brings in about £150 a week more than a Category C licence. Qualifications for forklifts, ADR (dangerous goods) and customs work also lift pay.
Seniority and experience: Michael Page's salary bands show the spread. A logistics manager earns £50,000 at the low end and £70,000 at the high end. A supply chain manager earns £47,000 to £84,000.
How much do logistics managers and office roles earn in 2026?
Most management roles in logistics pay between £50,000 and £75,000, well above the UK full-time median of £40,911. The manager figures below come from Michael Page’s Salary Guides, published in September 2026. Low, mid and high reflect experience and the size of the business.
| Job | Mid-point salary | Typical range | Source |
| Logistics director | £65,856 | £47,000–£96,000 | Payscale, 2026 |
| Supply chain manager | £65,500 | £47,000–£84,000 | Michael Page |
| Transport manager | £62,500 | £50,000–£75,000 | Michael Page |
| Warehouse manager | £62,500 | £50,000–£75,000 | Michael Page |
| Logistics manager | £60,000 | £50,000–£70,000 | Michael Page |
| Fleet manager | £55,000 | £45,000–£65,000 | Michael Page |
| Freight forwarder | £25,490 | £18,000–£31,000 | Payscale, 2026 |
The Payscale ranges are the 10th to 90th percentiles of base pay. Directors can also earn bonuses of £3,000–£20,000.
How do driver and warehouse salaries compare?
HGV drivers are the best-paid operational staff, but much of the gap comes from longer hours. The table shows national medians from the RHA Pay Report 2026, based on member data collected in October and November 2025.
| Role | Median hourly rate | Median gross weekly pay | Average hours a week | Annual equivalent (weekly × 52) |
| Class 1 (C+E) HGV driver | £15.05 | £876 | 55 | ≈ £45,550 |
| Class 2 (C) HGV driver | £14.50 | £725 | 49 | ≈ £37,700 |
| Traffic clerk | £14.41 | £616 | 42 | ≈ £32,030 |
| Forklift (FLT) driver | £13.09 | £598 | 42 | ≈ £31,100 |
| Warehouse operative | £13.00 | £580 | 42 | ≈ £30,160 |
Weekly pay includes overtime, so it is higher than the hourly rate × hours. Warehouse and FLT staff earn the lowest hourly rates of the five roles, at about £13.
Are logistics salaries still rising?
Yes, but more slowly than pay in the wider economy. RHA members gave a national average pay rise of 2.7% (median 3%) for 2026. ONS data shows median annual pay for all full-time UK employees rose 4.5% in the year to April 2026, and pay for process, plant and machine operatives, the group that includes drivers, rose 4.1%.
Skills shortages still support pay at the specialist end. In Michael Page's 2026 logistics data, 33% of logistics employers said matching candidates' salary expectations was a challenge. 47% of logistics professionals said they use AI tools daily, a sign that data and technology skills are becoming part of the job.
Which European logistics providers offer these services?
The companies below are established European logistics employers. Each covers the transport, warehousing and forwarding work described above.
| Company | Country | Founded | Employees | Main services |
| GROUPE BLONDEL | France (Morcourt) | 1956 | 1,000+ | Freight and exceptional transport, 3PL warehousing (400,000 m²), e-commerce and aerospace logistics |
| AD REM TRANSPORT | Lithuania (Vilnius) | 1993 | 200–499 | Road, rail, air and sea forwarding, bonded warehousing, customs brokerage |
| COLLETT & SONS LTD | United Kingdom (Halifax) | 1928 | 100–199 | Heavy haulage, abnormal loads, marine agency, heavy-lift storage |
What else do people ask about logistics salaries?
What is the average logistics salary in the UK in 2026?
The answer depends on the role. Operational logistics salaries cluster between about £30,000 (warehouse operatives) and £45,500 (Class 1 HGV drivers), based on RHA weekly medians. Management roles typically pay £55,000–£65,000 at the mid-point.
Which logistics jobs have the highest salaries?
Director and senior management roles have the highest logistics salaries. Logistics directors earn a median of £65,856 in base pay, and top earners reach about £96,000 before bonuses. Supply chain managers can earn up to £84,000. Among operational roles, Class 1 HGV drivers earn the most.
Do logistics salaries depend on where you work?
Yes, but London is not automatically the best-paid location. Distribution hubs such as Doncaster, Bristol, Tamworth and Peterborough pay warehouse staff as much as London or more. Haulage pay rises for 2026 were also highest in the Midlands, Western & Wales region.
Are logistics salaries rising in 2026?
Yes. Haulage employers gave an average pay rise of 2.7% for 2026, below the 4.5% rise in median full-time pay across the UK. A third of logistics employers still find candidates' salary expectations hard to meet, so pay for specialist roles stays competitive.
Need a logistics partner in Europe?
Are you looking for a transport, warehousing or freight forwarding partner? Compare European logistics providers by country, company size and services on europages, then contact them directly. Search logistics service providers on europages and request a quote today.
