⭐ Bright Outlook

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

O*NET 11-3071.00 · SOC 11-3071

Transportation is a solid career choice. Median pay is $107k a year with +6.1% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 18,300 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.

Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27

Projected Growth
+6.1%
2025–2035
Median Salary
$107k
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Annual Openings
18k
positions/year
Education Level
Zone 4
Considerable preparation needed (bachelor's degree)

What You'd Actually Do

  • →Plan daily delivery routes to maximize efficiency and speed
  • →Monitor warehouse inventory levels and reorder stock as needed
  • →Ensure drivers and warehouse staff comply with safety regulations
  • →Resolve shipping delays or carrier issues affecting delivery schedules
  • →Analyze transportation costs to identify savings opportunities

Education & How to Get In

🎯
Job Zone 4
Considerable preparation needed (bachelor's degree)

A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Transportation roles. Related majors and internship experience during college significantly improve your chances. Many employers also value relevant certifications or project portfolios alongside the degree.

Get Started Learning

Ready to start building skills for a career as a Transportation? These platforms offer courses you can start today, many with free trials or financial aid.

Coursera
University-backed courses and certificates
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Udemy
Affordable self-paced courses from $12.99
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Skillshare
Creative and professional skill classes
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LinkedIn Learning
Professional development with certificates
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Work Environment

Primary Setting

Leadership, offices, client meetings, or hybrid

Work Style

Collaborative, frequent interaction with teams, clients, or patients

A Day in the Life

While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Transportation involves a mix of core responsibilities:

MorningPlan daily delivery routes to maximize efficiency and speed
MiddayMonitor warehouse inventory levels and reorder stock as needed
AfternoonEnsure drivers and warehouse staff comply with safety regulations

Personality Fit (RIASEC)

Enterprising (Persuaders)6.0
Conventional (Organizers)5.7
Realistic (Doers)3.6
Investigative (Thinkers)2.6
Social (Helpers)2.4
Artistic (Creators)1.0

Who Thrives as Transportation?

Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering; personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.

ESTJThe ExecutiveENTJThe CommanderISTJThe InspectorESFJThe Provider

Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →

See Open Transportation Roles

Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.

Indeed ↗LinkedIn Jobs ↗ZipRecruiter ↗

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Job Outlook

Employment of Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations. The BLS flags this as a Bright Outlook occupation.

Will AI Replace This Job?

42/100Moderate, likely AI-complementary
  • ·40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target
  • ·30% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace

Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.

Common Questions

How much does a Transportation make?

The median Transportation earns $107k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.

Will AI replace Transportation jobs?

Our model puts Transportation at 42 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate, likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 40% routine cognitive tasks, high automation target; 30% social/interpersonal tasks, hard for AI to replace.

Is Transportation a growing field?

Employment is projected to grow 6.1% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 18,300 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.

What degree do you need to be a Transportation?

A bachelor's degree is the standard entry point for Transportation roles, and relevant internships matter as much as the subject.

How long does it take to become a Transportation?

Typically about four years, typically a bachelor's degree. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 4 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.

Is a Transportation career right for you?

Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.

Take the assessment →

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