Transportation

Account Executives in transportation and logistics sell freight services — trucking, intermodal, air freight, ocean, and third-party logistics — to shippers ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 procurement teams. They prospect for new customers, develop rates and proposals, close contracts, and maintain the ongoing relationships that keep freight moving through their company's network.

An Aerospace Engineer designs, analyzes and tests aircraft, spacecraft, drones, missiles and their systems, from aerodynamics and structures to propulsion and flight controls. In transportation, the job includes proving a design safe to the FAA through type certification, then keeping it airworthy in service. The work happens at aircraft and engine makers, engineering firms, federal agencies and airlines. Aerospace engineers earned a median of $134,960 in May 2025, according to BLS, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $86,700 to $205,890. A bachelor's degree in engineering is the usual entry point.

An AI Supply Chain Engineer is an in-house software engineer who builds and owns the machine learning and optimization tools a company's own planning, inventory and logistics teams use every day: demand forecasts, replenishment and placement logic, carrier and route recommendations, and AI agents that flag exceptions. The job sits between the supply chain organization and engineering, reporting into an operations technology, supply chain or data team rather than serving outside clients. BLS does not track the title. Software developers in transportation and warehousing earned a median of $147,010 in May 2025, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $92,970 to $217,660.

An Air Cargo Agent accepts, documents and releases freight that moves by air, working at airline cargo terminals, ground handling warehouses and freight forwarder stations at airports. The agent checks pieces and weights against the air waybill, reviews dangerous goods declarations, follows the TSA security program for cargo bound for passenger flights, and hands clean build-up instructions to the ramp. Inbound, the agent breaks down arriving flights and holds international freight for customs release. BLS counts the job within Cargo and Freight Agents, whose May 2025 pay ran from $38,340 at the 10th percentile to $79,810 at the 90th, with a median of $52,260.

Air Traffic Controllers manage the safe, orderly, and efficient flow of aircraft in the National Airspace System. Working in airport towers, approach control facilities, and en route centers, they provide separation services, issue clearances, and coordinate traffic across facility boundaries — preventing collisions and minimizing delays for millions of passengers and cargo shipments every day.

An Aircraft Cleaner resets airliner cabins between flights and during overnight checks: pulling trash from seat pockets, vacuuming aisles, disinfecting tray tables and lavatories, and restocking safety cards before the next boarding call. The job sits inside airline ground operations, on an airline payroll or with a ground handling contractor working under an airline contract, and it requires an airport badge for secured areas. O*NET lists aircraft cleaner as a reported job title under Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment, an occupation the Bureau of Labor Statistics paid a median of $35,830 in May 2025, with a 10th to 90th percentile range of $27,380 to $47,610.

An Aircraft Dispatcher is the FAA-certificated ground officer who plans, releases and watches airline flights, sharing legal responsibility for each departure with the captain. Dispatchers work in an airline's operations control center under Part 121, building flight plans around weather, fuel, NOTAMs and aircraft limits, then following each flight to the gate and redispatching or cancelling when conditions change. BLS does not publish pay for certificated dispatchers alone. For workers in its broader dispatcher occupation employed by scheduled airlines, the May 2025 median was $57,540, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $47,880 and $105,170.

Aircraft Electricians install, inspect, test, and repair the electrical wiring, circuits, power generation systems, and lighting on aircraft. Working under FAA Part 145 repair stations, airline maintenance departments, or military MRO operations, they troubleshoot faults using wiring diagrams and test equipment, ensuring every circuit meets airworthiness standards before an aircraft returns to service.

An Aircraft Fueler drives a refueler truck or hydrant cart to parked aircraft and pumps the jet fuel or avgas the flight crew ordered, after checking the grade, bonding the truck to the airframe and testing the fuel for water and dirt. Fuelers work on the airport ramp for fixed base operators, into-plane fueling contractors, airlines and cargo carriers. BLS counts them as aircraft service attendants, an occupation that also covers de-icing and lavatory service. In May 2025 that occupation had a median wage of $40,450, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $33,830 and $57,610. The work is outdoors and shift-based, and at FAA-certificated airports it is governed by federal fire-safety training rules.

An Aircraft Maintenance Technician inspects, repairs and returns aircraft to service under an FAA mechanic certificate with Airframe and Powerplant ratings, the credential the trade calls an A&P. The work happens on airline ramps overnight, in heavy-check hangars, at repair stations and business-aviation shops, and on manufacturer flight lines. BLS counts these workers as Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: 138,090 held the job in May 2025, at a median wage of $79,870, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $48,780 and $128,890. The role pairs hands-on mechanical work with personal legal accountability for every signature in the maintenance record.

An Aircraft Mechanic II is a mid-level certified aviation maintenance technician who performs complex maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair tasks with greater independence than entry-level mechanics. With an FAA A&P certificate and several years of type-specific experience, Aircraft Mechanic IIs handle difficult fault isolation, mentor junior mechanics, and may exercise limited lead responsibilities on work packages.

Aircraft Painters apply, repair, and refinish the coatings that protect aircraft from corrosion, UV radiation, and environmental degradation while maintaining the airline or owner's visual identity. Working in specialized paint hangars with climate-controlled environments, they prepare surfaces, apply primer and topcoat systems, and execute livery artwork to airline-specific and military color schemes.

Aircraft Structural Repairers inspect, analyze, and restore aircraft structural components — sheet metal skins, frames, stringers, spars, and composite panels — that have sustained corrosion damage, impact damage, or fatigue cracking. Using Structural Repair Manuals (SRMs) and FAA-approved repair data, they restore structural integrity to airworthiness standards while minimizing weight penalty.

An airline captain is the pilot in command of a scheduled passenger or cargo flight, seated on the left side of the flight deck and the final authority on the operation of the aircraft. Captains hold an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate and a type rating for the aircraft they fly, supervise a first officer, and make the final call on fuel, weather, diversions and emergencies. BLS groups captains with first officers and flight engineers; in scheduled air transportation that occupation earned a median of $293,240 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $114,390 and the 90th at $475,690.

An Airline Catering Worker prepares, assembles and delivers the meals, drinks and galley equipment that airlines serve on board. The work happens in flight kitchens run by airline food service contractors and on the airport ramp, where catering trucks swap carts in and out of aircraft galleys. BLS counts the kitchen side of the job under Food Preparation Workers. In the Special Food Services industry, which includes airline caterers, May 2025 BLS data put pay at $28,520 at the 10th percentile, $36,670 at the median and $46,890 at the 90th.

An airline customer service agent is the airline employee who handles passengers in person at the airport: checking bags at the ticket counter, running boarding at the gate, and rebooking travelers when flights slip or cancel. Agents work for mainline carriers, regional airlines and the ground handling companies those airlines contract with, on shifts that follow the flight schedule rather than office hours. BLS groups the job with reservation and transportation ticket agents, an occupation whose May 2025 median wage was $44,390, with the 10th percentile at $32,140 and the 90th at $78,150.

Airline Operations Coordinators work in airline operations control centers or station operations offices, tracking aircraft positions, crew scheduling, gate assignments, and flight status in real time. They serve as the connective tissue between dispatch, maintenance, crew scheduling, ground operations, and customer service — making sure information moves quickly and the right people know what they need to know when things change.

An Airline Operations Manager runs an airline's operation at an airport or group of airports, leading the agents, ramp crews and contractors who turn every flight. The role sits above shift supervisors and answers to regional or headquarters leadership for departure performance, safety, security compliance and cost. BLS does not track the title separately; it counts these managers as Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. In scheduled air transportation, that occupation earned a median of $124,600 in May 2025, with pay running from $65,890 at the 10th percentile to $207,630 at the 90th.

Airline Operations Specialists are mid-level operations professionals who support flight operations, schedule integrity, and IROPS recovery in airline operations control centers. They work across flight dispatch, crew scheduling, maintenance control, and station operations to gather information, coordinate decisions, and execute recovery plans — filling the space between junior coordinators and senior managers.

Airline Pilots operate commercial passenger and cargo aircraft under FAA Part 121 rules, on domestic and international routes. Pay varies enormously by seniority and carrier tier: BLS puts the national distribution for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers between $106,710 and $463,830 a year as of May 2025, with a median of $232,140. Reaching a major-carrier cockpit means years of hour-building toward an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, which requires 1,500 flight hours. Mandatory retirement stays at 65 under federal law, though a new Senate bill introduced in April 2026 seeks to raise it again, reviving a fight Congress settled against the idea in 2024.

Airline Revenue Management Analysts control how seats are priced and allocated across fare classes to maximize the revenue on each flight. Using forecasting models, competitive pricing data, and booking curve analysis, they decide how many seats to protect for high-fare passengers, when to open or close discount availability, and how to respond when demand deviates from forecast. The decisions they make — often on hundreds of flights simultaneously — have a direct and measurable impact on airline revenue.

An Airport Manager runs a public-use airport as both an operating facility and a public enterprise: the airfield, terminal, hangars and roads, plus the budget, the tenant leases and the federal paperwork that keeps grant money and certification in place. The job sits under a city, a county or an airport authority board, and at a small field the manager may be the entire senior staff. BLS has no separate occupation for the role; Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers in Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals, earned a median of $122,880 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $72,330 and the 90th at $180,080.

Airport Operations Supervisors oversee a shift of operations coordinators and the full scope of airport operational functions during their duty hours. They are accountable for Part 139 compliance on their shift, respond to incidents requiring management-level judgment, coordinate with airline and tenant operations managers, and manage the airport's daily emergency and safety response capability.

Airport Planners develop long-range development plans for airport facilities, analyze aviation demand forecasts, design capital improvement programs, and coordinate the environmental review and FAA approval processes that govern airport development. They work at airport authorities, consulting firms, and state aviation agencies, translating aviation demand data into actionable infrastructure plans.

Airport Project Managers oversee the design, procurement, construction, and closeout of capital improvement projects at airports — runway rehabilitations, terminal expansions, ground transportation facilities, and utility upgrades. They coordinate between airport operations, FAA, airlines, designers, and construction contractors to deliver projects on schedule, within budget, and without disrupting active airport operations.

Airport Security Officers protect airport facilities, passengers, and staff from unauthorized access, criminal activity, and security threats. Working in close coordination with TSA, law enforcement, and airline security personnel, they staff access control checkpoints, conduct patrols, respond to security incidents, and enforce the airport's security program requirements. The role requires alertness, composure, and the ability to de-escalate confrontations without compromising security.

Airport Terminal Managers oversee the daily operations of an airport terminal — managing airline tenant relationships, concession performance, facility maintenance coordination, passenger flow, and the safety and cleanliness of the terminal environment. They are the airport authority's primary representative within the building, ensuring that the terminal functions effectively for the airlines, passengers, concessionaires, and tenants who use it.

Automotive Production Managers in the transportation sector oversee manufacturing and assembly operations for vehicles, components, or transport equipment. They direct production supervisors and line workers, manage output targets, control quality and safety compliance, and coordinate with supply chain and engineering teams to keep facilities running on schedule.

Automotive Production Supervisors in transportation manufacturing direct hourly production workers and team leads on a shift, ensuring that assembly, fabrication, or processing operations meet daily output targets, quality standards, and safety requirements. They are the direct link between plant management strategy and the work happening on the production floor.

Automotive Quality Assurance Managers in transportation manufacturing develop and maintain the quality management systems that ensure vehicles, components, and transportation equipment meet customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and internal standards. They lead quality teams, manage customer and supplier quality interfaces, investigate escapes, and drive systemic improvements that reduce defect rates and warranty costs.

An AV Remote Assistance Operator is the human a driverless vehicle contacts when it cannot resolve a situation alone. Working from an operations center for a robotaxi or driverless trucking company, the operator reviews live camera feeds and the vehicle's 3D view of the scene, then answers the driving system's question: which lane is closed, whether to wait, or which path to consider. At companies such as Waymo and Zoox the operator advises and does not drive. BLS does not track the job; the nearest federal occupation, dispatchers outside public safety, paid a May 2025 median of $50,340, with a 10th to 90th percentile range of $36,030 to $78,140.

An Aviation Analyst turns flight, passenger, airport and safety data into decisions for airlines, airport authorities, consulting firms and public agencies. In airline and airport settings the work centers on schedules, demand forecasts, delay causes and capacity. Michigan's civil service, as one state's example, uses Aviation Analyst for a class that also covers airport licensing, inspections and airspace review. BLS does not report aviation analysts separately. For operations research analysts, the closest occupation it tracks and an umbrella that spans every industry, the May 2025 median wage was $88,940, with the 10th percentile at $57,060 and the 90th percentile at $159,910.

Aviation Customer Service Managers lead the teams responsible for passenger interactions at airline ticket counters, boarding gates, baggage claim, and customer relations centers. They develop agent skills, manage performance metrics, handle escalated complaints, and ensure that customer service operations deliver results during both normal operations and high-pressure irregular events.

An aviation electronics technician, usually called an avionics technician, installs, tests, troubleshoots and repairs the electrical and electronic systems on aircraft: radios, navigation receivers, transponders, weather radar, autopilots and the cockpit displays that tie them together. The work happens at airline maintenance bases, repair stations, aircraft manufacturers and military flight lines. BLS puts the median wage for avionics technicians at $82,280 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $49,410 and the 90th at $113,680. Where an airframe and powerplant mechanic concentrates on structures and engines, the avionics specialist works from wiring diagrams, data bus readouts and test sets, and radio work can call for an FCC license.

An Aviation Operations Manager runs the day-to-day business of an aviation services company: a fixed base operator, a repair station, a charter operator or a flight school. The role sits between the owner or general manager and the line technicians, mechanics, pilots and customer service staff, and it answers for staffing, budgets, service quality and compliance with the company's FAA certificates. BLS does not report the title separately; it counts these managers among Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. In Support Activities for Air Transportation, that occupation earned a median of $98,500 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $66,010 and the 90th at $191,750.

An Aviation Operations Specialist keeps an airfield or a flight operation safe and moving shift by shift: inspecting runways and taxiways, issuing notices to pilots, coordinating air traffic control with maintenance crews, handling wildlife and snow, and keeping flight and event records. BLS files the title under Airfield Operations Specialists (SOC 53-2022), an occupation of 15,190 workers in May 2025 at airport authorities, airlines, airport service companies and government. The occupation's May 2025 median wage was $56,850, with the 10th percentile at $35,870 and the 90th at $102,120. The specialist works the operations floor, carrying out procedures that supervisors and operations managers set.

Aviation Recruiters source, screen, and hire pilots, aircraft mechanics, dispatchers, and aviation operations staff for airlines, MROs, charter operators, and aerospace companies. They manage job postings, coordinate interviews, and work closely with hiring managers to fill highly specialized technical and operational roles in a supply-constrained talent market.

An Aviation Safety Inspector is a Federal Aviation Administration employee in the 1825 occupational series who certifies and polices the airlines, repair stations, manufacturers and airmen operating under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Inspectors work in one of four specialties: avionics, manufacturing, maintenance or operations. They approve certificates, run surveillance, investigate accidents and incidents, and open enforcement cases when an operator falls short. On the FAA's 2026 Core Compensation table, bands I and J (the FG-13 and FG-14 levels for this series) run from $90,547 to $173,292 with Rest of U.S. locality pay; the $125,000 median shown here is an editorial estimate.

Aviation Safety Managers lead an organization's safety program — building and running the Safety Management System, investigating incidents, tracking safety data, and managing relationships with regulatory authorities. They report to senior leadership and serve as the primary contact with the FAA on safety-related matters, ensuring the organization's safety culture and compliance record support continued operating certificates.

Aviation Safety Specialists support an organization's Safety Management System by collecting and analyzing safety data, processing hazard reports, assisting with incident investigations, and maintaining compliance documentation. They work under the direction of a Safety Manager and serve as the day-to-day operational backbone of the safety program.

Aviation Sales Managers lead revenue generation for companies selling aviation products and services — MRO contracts, FBO fuel and services, charter and fractional ownership programs, aircraft parts, avionics, and ground support equipment. They manage sales teams, own territory or account relationships, and work closely with operations to ensure what's sold can be delivered.

Baggage Handler Supervisors direct ramp and baggage handling crews at airport ground operations, overseeing the loading, unloading, and transfer of checked baggage between aircraft and baggage claim. They manage shift staffing, enforce safety procedures, handle flight irregularities, and ensure on-time performance metrics are met.

Bus Dispatchers coordinate the movement of bus fleets by monitoring route performance, managing driver assignments, responding to service disruptions, and communicating in real time with operators on the road. They work in dispatch centers for public transit agencies, school districts, private charter companies, and shuttle services.

A Bus Driver carries passengers in a commercial bus on fixed transit routes, between cities, on charter trips or to and from school, under a commercial driver's license with a passenger endorsement. The job sits in the operations side of transit agencies, intercity and charter carriers, school districts and school bus contractors, with dispatchers and road supervisors directing the day. BLS splits the work into two occupations; for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, May 2025 pay ran from $40,030 at the 10th percentile to $84,700 at the 90th, with a median of $59,050.

Bus Mechanics maintain, repair, and inspect diesel, CNG, and electric buses used in public transit, school transportation, and charter operations. They perform preventive maintenance on schedule, diagnose mechanical and electrical problems, and return vehicles to service as quickly and safely as possible to minimize fleet downtime.

Bus Operator Trainers develop and deliver training programs that turn newly hired drivers into qualified, safe bus operators. They ride along in revenue service, conduct behind-the-wheel evaluations, teach classroom sessions on traffic law and passenger service, and provide remedial coaching to operators who need additional development after completing initial training.

Bus Safety Managers design and manage safety programs at transit agencies, school transportation departments, and motorcoach companies. They investigate accidents, run safety training programs, audit compliance with DOT and agency regulations, track safety performance metrics, and work with leadership to reduce the frequency and severity of incidents.

Cargo Handlers load, unload, sort, and route freight, packages, and air cargo at airports, distribution centers, and freight terminals. They operate material handling equipment, verify shipment documentation, handle dangerous goods with proper safety procedures, and ensure packages and freight are routed accurately to correct outbound flights or vehicles.

Carrier Managers develop and manage relationships with trucking and freight carrier partners, negotiate lane rates, ensure service performance against contracted commitments, and expand carrier capacity networks to meet shipper needs. They bridge the gap between freight procurement strategy and the daily execution of moving loads from origin to destination.

Carrier Sales Representatives work at freight brokerages and 3PLs to source truckload capacity from carriers, cover assigned loads, negotiate spot rates, and build relationships with owner-operators and small trucking companies. They serve as the carrier-facing counterpart to freight brokers, ensuring available loads are covered with qualified, reliable drivers.

Charter Pilots operate on-demand passenger and cargo flights under FAA Part 135 regulations for air charter operators and air taxi services. They fly a range of aircraft — from piston twins to large cabin jets — on client-specified routes, managing all aspects of flight planning, weight and balance, and passenger safety for non-scheduled flights.

A Charter Sales Representative sells on-demand private flights for an air charter operator, aircraft management company or broker, and some sell group trips for charter bus companies. The job runs from the first trip request to the booked flight: qualifying the client, matching an aircraft to the mission, pricing the quote, closing the sale and handing the trip to the operations desk. BLS does not track the title on its own, but it counts 1,810 sales representatives of services in nonscheduled air transportation, the industry that includes air charter. Their May 2025 median wage was $63,150, with a 10th percentile of $51,710 and a 90th percentile of $110,420.

Chauffeurs provide professional private transportation for executives, high-net-worth individuals, corporate clients, and event passengers using luxury sedans, SUVs, and limousines. They manage itineraries, maintain vehicle cleanliness and presentation standards, and provide discreet, attentive client service throughout each trip.

The Chief Pilot is the FAA-designated management official responsible for the flight operations of a certificated air carrier or operator. They oversee pilot hiring, training, standardization, and scheduling; maintain regulatory compliance; manage pilot performance; and serve as the primary regulatory contact for the FAA on flight operations matters.

Coach Bus Drivers operate over-the-road motorcoaches carrying passengers on long-distance chartered trips, tour itineraries, commuter express routes, and scheduled intercity services. They manage multi-hour driving assignments, passenger safety and comfort, schedule adherence, and all required vehicle pre-trip and post-trip inspections under CDL and FMCSA regulations.

Commercial Pilots hold an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate and fly aircraft for compensation in operations that don't require an Airline Transport Pilot certificate — including charter, corporate, aerial application, banner towing, pipeline patrol, and cargo operations. The commercial certificate is the foundational credential for professional flying and the first rung on the airline career ladder.

Corporate Aviation Managers oversee the operation of aircraft and flight department resources at corporate, government, and aviation service organizations. They manage pilots, aircraft maintenance, flight scheduling, regulatory compliance, and the financial performance of the aviation program — ensuring aircraft are available, airworthy, and operated safely within budget and regulatory requirements.

A Customs Broker is a person licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to conduct customs business for importers: classifying goods in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, valuing them, filing entries through CBP's Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), and paying duties under a power of attorney. Brokers work at brokerage firms, freight forwarders, carriers and importers' own trade compliance teams. BLS has no separate code for the job; O*NET files it under Compliance Officers. In the freight transportation arrangement industry, where brokerages sit, that occupation's May 2025 median pay was $62,880, with the 10th percentile at $45,010 and the 90th at $116,890.

Customs Compliance Specialists support an organization's trade compliance program by reviewing import and export documentation, maintaining product classification databases, assisting with CBP audit responses, and ensuring shipments meet federal regulatory requirements. They work under a Customs Compliance Manager or Licensed Customs Broker and are the day-to-day operational backbone of most in-house trade compliance teams.

A Delivery Dispatcher assigns routes, tracks drivers and fixes problems for a fleet that carries parcels and freight to homes and businesses, working from the dispatch desk of a courier, parcel carrier, delivery station or local delivery company. The job turns a morning's load into finished stops: building the day's board, staying in contact with drivers, and reworking routes when a van breaks down or an address turns out to be wrong. BLS counts the title under Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance. In the Couriers and Messengers industry, that occupation earned a median of $50,140 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $39,330 and the 90th at $72,790.

A delivery driver moves packages, auto parts, groceries and other goods from a terminal or warehouse to homes and businesses, driving a van or light truck on a scheduled route. Federal wage statistics file the job under light truck drivers (SOC 53-3033) in the transportation and material moving group, and employers range from parcel carriers and Amazon delivery contractors to parts distributors and food wholesalers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics put the May 2025 median wage at $44,860, with the 10th percentile at $30,800 and the 90th percentile at $80,310. The job runs on a clean driving record, steady pace and careful scanning at every stop.

A Delivery Manager runs the local end of a parcel or courier network: the station, terminal or delivery partner business where packages are sorted to routes and sent out with drivers. The job covers staffing the morning dispatch, watching routes through the day, handling customer escalations, keeping driver safety and testing records in order, and answering for cost and service numbers. Because the work is mostly hands-on supervision of drivers and station staff, pay here follows the BLS occupation for first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers: in the couriers and messengers industry, its May 2025 pay was $49,030 at the 10th percentile, $58,430 at the median and $102,950 at the 90th percentile.

Delivery Route Managers design, maintain, and optimize the route structures that delivery drivers follow each day. They balance efficiency against service commitments, adjust routes as volume patterns change, oversee route driver performance, and identify operational improvements that reduce cost-per-stop without sacrificing on-time delivery rates.

Delivery Service Managers are responsible for the service quality dimension of delivery operations — ensuring that deliveries meet customer commitments, resolving service failures, managing key account relationships, and driving continuous improvement in delivery performance metrics. They sit at the intersection of operations and customer experience, translating service failures into operational fixes and operational capabilities into customer commitments.

Delivery Supervisors manage the day-to-day work of delivery drivers and dock staff, overseeing shift operations from vehicle loading through final delivery and return processing. They handle driver coaching, DOT compliance, exception resolution, and communication with dispatch and customers — acting as the operational bridge between front-line drivers and delivery management.

Dispatch Managers lead dispatch teams that coordinate carrier movements, assign loads to drivers, manage freight tracking, and ensure on-time pickup and delivery performance. They are accountable for the productivity and accuracy of their dispatchers, the carrier relationships their team manages, and the operational metrics that determine whether freight moves efficiently and profitably.

A Dispatch Supervisor leads the dispatchers who match drivers to loads and track freight through the day, owning the dispatch board for a shift at a trucking carrier, freight brokerage or transit agency. The role reports to an operations or terminal manager and handles the escalations a single dispatcher cannot. BLS does not report dispatch supervisors separately; O*NET files the truck dispatcher supervisor title under first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers. In truck transportation, that occupation's May 2025 wages were $48,720 at the 10th percentile, $73,920 at the median and $96,260 at the 90th percentile.

A Dispatcher II is a senior dispatcher who handles more complex lanes, higher load volumes, or more demanding accounts than entry-level dispatchers. They operate with greater autonomy on rate decisions and problem resolution, may mentor junior dispatchers, and are often the go-to resource on their team when situations require experienced judgment or broader carrier network access.

Dock Managers oversee the loading and unloading operations at freight terminals, distribution centers, or manufacturing shipping docks. They manage dock workers, forklift operators, and yard drivers, coordinate inbound and outbound freight movement, ensure accurate freight handling and documentation, and maintain dock safety and productivity standards.

A Dock Supervisor runs a shift on a freight dock at a less-than-truckload terminal, parcel hub or cross-dock, assigning doors and crews, enforcing forklift and trailer safety rules, and making sure freight gets unloaded, recorded and loaded onto the right outbound trailer on time. The job sits between hourly dock workers and the terminal's operations manager. BLS counts it within first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers; in the transportation and warehousing sector, that occupation's May 2025 wages ran from $48,160 at the 10th percentile to $100,000 at the 90th, with a median of $69,820.

A Dock Worker is the hand-labor member of a freight dock crew: the person who unloads trailers piece by piece, scans and sorts cartons, and builds outbound loads with hand trucks and manual or electric pallet jacks. The job runs at trucking terminals, cross-docks, parcel hubs and distribution centers, under dock leads and beside forklift operators and drivers. BLS counts it within hand freight, stock and material movers (SOC 53-7062). BLS reported a May 2025 median of $44,930 for that occupation in the transportation and warehousing sector, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $36,390 and $57,070.

Driver Managers oversee a group of CDL drivers at a trucking carrier or private fleet, handling dispatch coordination, HOS compliance, performance coaching, and driver retention. They are the primary point of contact for their assigned drivers throughout the day — helping them navigate problems on the road, stay in compliance with federal regulations, and maximize their miles and earnings within the carrier's network.

Driver Recruiters find, screen, and hire CDL-qualified truck drivers for trucking carriers, freight companies, and private fleets. They manage the full recruiting cycle — from sourcing candidates through job boards and social media to conducting DOT background checks and orientation — in an environment where driver demand consistently exceeds supply and every qualified hire has direct revenue impact.

Equipment Operators in transportation run the powered equipment that moves freight, containers, and materials throughout ports, rail yards, distribution centers, and intermodal facilities. They operate forklifts, reach stackers, crane equipment, yard trucks, and ground support machinery — making sure freight moves safely between conveyances without damage or delay.

A Fleet Coordinator keeps a company's vehicles maintained, inspected and legally on the road: scheduling preventive maintenance, processing driver inspection reports, chasing repairs and keeping the records federal rules require of motor carriers. The job sits between the maintenance shop, dispatch, drivers and finance at trucking companies, private fleets, transit operators and public agencies. Pay here is a proxy: for a nearby BLS occupation, dispatchers except police, fire, and ambulance, the May 2025 median wage in transportation and warehousing was $50,640, with the 10th percentile at $35,450 and the 90th at $77,480.

Fleet Maintenance Managers oversee the repair and preventive maintenance program for a commercial vehicle fleet, managing technicians, maintenance shops, parts inventory, and vendor relationships. They are accountable for vehicle uptime, maintenance cost management, DOT compliance, and the safety of vehicles leaving their facility — balancing the cost of maintenance against the cost of breakdowns and regulatory violations.

Fleet Maintenance Supervisors oversee the mechanics, technicians, and shop operations that keep commercial vehicle fleets running safely and on schedule. They balance preventive maintenance planning, repair priorities, parts inventory, and DOT compliance — acting as the link between shop-floor technicians and operations management.

Fleet Maintenance Technicians in transportation diagnose, repair, and service commercial vehicles, transit buses, or fleet equipment using advanced diagnostic tools and specialized technical knowledge. They handle both scheduled preventive maintenance and complex fault diagnosis, working in fleet shops, transit garages, or mobile service environments.

A Fleet Manager runs the trucks, vans, buses or service vehicles that a carrier, delivery operation or public agency depends on, from buying and spec'ing each unit through maintenance, fuel, compliance and resale. In transportation, the job sits between operations, safety, finance and the shop, and it answers for cost per mile and uptime. BLS does not count fleet managers on their own; they fall under transportation, storage, and distribution managers, who earned a median of $107,230 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $65,120 and the 90th percentile at $194,900. Those figures describe the broader occupation, not the title alone.

Fleet Mechanics diagnose, repair, and maintain commercial vehicles — trucks, buses, vans, and trailers — to keep them safe, legal, and operating. They work in fleet shops for carriers, transit agencies, utilities, and private companies, performing everything from routine oil changes and brake jobs to engine overhauls and electrical diagnosis.

Fleet Purchasing Agents in transportation manage the procurement of parts, equipment, services, and supplies that keep fleets, terminals, and maintenance shops running. They source vendors, negotiate pricing and payment terms, issue purchase orders, and manage supplier relationships so that what's ordered arrives correctly, on time, and at a cost the operation can sustain. In 2026 the job increasingly means managing tariff-driven cost swings on metal parts and components alongside the usual negotiation and supplier work, with routine transaction processing shifting to AI-assisted tools under human review.

A Fleet Safety Coordinator keeps a motor carrier's or fleet's safety paperwork current and audit-ready: driver qualification files, annual motor vehicle record reviews, DOT drug and alcohol testing logistics, Clearinghouse queries, crash files and OSHA injury logs. The job sits inside the safety department, below a safety manager or director, at trucking companies, private fleets, transit systems and other operators of commercial vehicles. BLS does not count the title separately. For occupational health and safety technicians in truck transportation, the closest published row, May 2025 pay ran from $32,550 at the 10th percentile to $76,750 at the 90th percentile, with a median of $49,990.

Fleet Services Managers oversee the full operational lifecycle of an organization's vehicle fleet — from procurement and maintenance through fuel management, driver compliance, and disposal. They manage vendors, control costs, ensure regulatory compliance, and use fleet data to optimize performance across fleets that range from municipal light-duty vehicles to mixed commercial fleets at large corporations.

A Fleet Supervisor is the first-line supervisor who decides each day which vehicles are fit to run and which drivers are qualified to run them. In transportation, the job sits between drivers, the maintenance shop, dispatch and a fleet or operations manager, at carriers, parcel contractors, transit operators and public motor pools. BLS does not count fleet supervisors on their own; they fall under first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, who earned a median of $69,820 in transportation and warehousing in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $48,160 and the 90th percentile at $100,000.

Flight Attendants are FAA-certified safety professionals whose primary duty is passenger evacuation, emergency equipment operation, and compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations; cabin service is the visible layer that sits on top of that mandate. New hires train four to eight weeks at an airline training center, earn a Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, and typically spend one to several years on reserve before bidding gains them schedule control. 2024-2026 contracts at United and American added boarding pay, closing a long-standing gap where crews worked unpaid during boarding.

Flight Instructors teach student pilots and certificated pilots to fly — from first flight through private, instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. Most work at Part 61 and Part 141 flight schools, using instruction as a path to build flight hours toward airline career minimums while earning an income.

A Flight Operations Manager runs the flying side of an airline, charter operator or flight department: pilots, crew scheduling, dispatch and flight standards. At certificated carriers the role is tied to the management positions that 14 CFR Part 119 requires, such as director of operations and chief pilot, and it answers for operational control and crew legality under FAA rules. BLS groups the title with Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. In the air transportation industry, that occupation earned a median of $124,740 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $71,820 and the 90th at $231,820.

Flight Planning Analysts develop and optimize the flight plans that guide commercial aircraft operations — balancing fuel costs, routing efficiency, airspace constraints, and regulatory requirements. They support dispatchers, operations control, and finance teams with analysis that directly affects the airline's largest variable cost: fuel.

Flight Schedulers build and manage the daily aircraft and crew assignments that keep commercial and charter flight operations running, coordinating trip coverage, crew availability, regulatory rest requirements, and aircraft maintenance windows so every departure has a qualified crew and an airworthy aircraft. The role sits between dispatch and crew resources, blending FAA Part 117 compliance with real-time problem solving during irregular operations. At major airlines the job is highly specialized within large operations teams; at charter and business aviation operators, one scheduler often owns the full trip lifecycle, and 2026 hiring trends show AI tools increasingly assisting that judgment rather than replacing it.

Flight Test Engineers plan and execute the testing programs that validate aircraft performance, systems, and airworthiness before FAA type certification or military acceptance. They develop test plans, analyze flight data, and write reports that determine whether an aircraft system meets design requirements and regulatory standards.

Freight Account Managers in transportation and logistics maintain and grow relationships with existing shipper customers, ensuring their freight programs run smoothly, addressing service issues, and identifying opportunities to expand the business. Unlike Account Executives who focus primarily on new customer acquisition, Account Managers work the installed base — protecting revenue, deepening relationships, and increasing share of wallet.

Freight Agents book and coordinate the movement of shipments between shippers and carriers — quoting rates, arranging pickups, tracking loads, and managing documentation. They work for freight brokerages, forwarders, and carriers, acting as the transaction layer between customers who need to move freight and the transportation capacity to do it.

A Freight Broker is an intermediary who, for compensation, arranges the transportation of shippers' freight by authorized motor carriers without owning the trucks. The job sits in freight transportation arrangement firms, third-party logistics providers and independent brokerages, and it splits between selling capacity to shippers and buying it from carriers. Brokers quote and book loads, vet carriers, track shipments and settle invoices, all backed by a surety bond or trust fund the brokerage must keep in effect. BLS codes the title to wholesale sales representatives; in freight transportation arrangement, that occupation earned a May 2025 median of $79,990, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $35,360 and $99,020.

Freight Broker Agents operate under an established freight brokerage's FMCSA authority — booking loads, managing carrier relationships, and serving customers without the licensing and bonding overhead of running their own brokerage. They typically earn a commission split on the gross margin they generate, often working remotely and independently.

Freight Claims Specialists investigate, evaluate, and resolve claims for cargo that is lost, damaged, or delayed in transit. They work within the framework of the Carmack Amendment and carrier tariff rules, gathering evidence, assessing liability, and negotiating settlements between shippers, carriers, and insurers.

Freight Coordinator II is a mid-level freight coordination role responsible for managing more complex shipments, supporting junior coordinators, and handling escalations. These professionals bring established carrier knowledge, TMS proficiency, and cross-functional coordination experience to handle international freight, specialized equipment, and high-priority shipments that exceed the scope of entry-level coordinators.

A Freight Dispatcher assigns loads to drivers and trucks, plans each trip around federal hours-of-service limits, and tracks freight from pickup to delivery, stepping in when a breakdown, a late appointment or a refused load breaks the plan. The job sits on the operations floor of a trucking carrier, between drivers, customer service and the shipper's dock, and some dispatchers work for freight brokerages or independent dispatch services. O*NET files it under dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance; in truck transportation, BLS put that occupation's May 2025 median wage at $57,010, with the 10th percentile at $38,650 and the 90th at $80,440.

Freight Forwarders coordinate the international movement of goods — arranging ocean, air, and ground transportation, managing customs clearance, and handling the documentation that moves cargo across borders. They act as the logistics agent between shippers and the carriers, airlines, customs authorities, and terminal operators that handle their freight.

Freight Sales Representatives sell freight transportation services — trucking capacity, logistics solutions, or 3PL programs — to shippers and supply chain decision-makers. They prospect for new accounts, build carrier and customer relationships, quote freight, and grow revenue through a combination of business development and service-based account retention.

Fuel Delivery Drivers operate tanker trucks to deliver gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and other petroleum products to retail fuel stations, fleet accounts, farms, and commercial facilities. They manage product loading at terminals, safe transport, and precise delivery to underground storage tanks under strict hazardous materials and environmental regulations.

Fuel Transport Drivers haul bulk petroleum products between refineries, pipeline terminals, storage facilities, and distribution points using large tanker trucks. They operate in the wholesale and distribution tier of the petroleum supply chain, transporting larger volumes over longer distances than delivery drivers who serve retail stations.

Helicopter Pilots fly rotorcraft for a range of commercial missions — emergency medical services, offshore oil platform transport, utility line patrol, aerial tours, and corporate transport. The work demands exceptional situational awareness and technical precision, often in low-altitude, confined-area, or weather-constrained environments.

Import/Export Administrators manage the documentation, compliance, and coordination required to move goods across international borders. They handle customs filings, prepare shipping documents, classify goods under trade regulations, and work with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and carriers to keep shipments moving without delays or penalties.

Import/Export Analysts examine trade data, transaction records, and regulatory requirements to identify compliance gaps, duty optimization opportunities, and supply chain inefficiencies in international shipping operations. They sit between operational trade compliance work and strategic sourcing decisions, translating regulatory complexity into actionable business intelligence.

Import/Export Compliance Managers design and run a company's global trade compliance program — establishing classification practices, managing customs broker relationships, leading export control reviews, and keeping the company on the right side of CBP, BIS, and OFAC. They own the regulatory risk at the intersection of supply chain and international law.

Import/Export Compliance Specialists execute the day-to-day work of a company's trade compliance program — classifying goods, reviewing transactions, screening counterparties, and maintaining the records that demonstrate regulatory compliance. They operate with more autonomy than analysts and less program-design responsibility than managers.

An Import/Export Coordinator runs the paperwork and the phone and email traffic behind international shipments in the transportation sector, working at freight forwarders, NVOCCs, customs brokerages and the logistics desks of importers and exporters. The coordinator books cargo, assembles commercial invoices, packing lists and bills of lading, hands the customs broker the data an entry needs, checks export filings, and keeps buyers, suppliers and carriers posted until the freight clears. BLS counts the work under cargo and freight agents; in the freight transportation arrangement industry, that occupation earned a median of $54,730 in May 2025, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $38,950 and $79,400.

An Import/Export Coordinator II handles the full range of international trade coordination with significant autonomy — managing complex or high-value shipments, supporting compliance reviews, training junior staff, and serving as the escalation point for documentation problems and shipment exceptions that coordinators at the entry level refer upward.

An Import/Export Coordinator III is the senior practitioner on the coordinator track — handling the most complex transactions, leading process improvement projects, supervising or mentoring junior staff, and serving as the primary point of contact for customs broker relationships and compliance escalations. This level sits one step below specialist or analyst management roles.

Import/Export Managers lead international trade operations teams — managing staff, overseeing broker and carrier relationships, owning customs compliance, and ensuring the company's import and export programs operate efficiently and within regulatory requirements. They translate trade strategy into operational execution and own the risk when things go wrong.

An Import/Export Manager II is a senior-level leader overseeing complex, multi-region, or enterprise-scale trade programs — managing multiple teams or functions, owning significant compliance risk exposure, and advising senior leadership on trade policy implications. The role combines deep regulatory expertise with broad organizational influence.

Import/Export Operations Managers run the day-to-day logistics and documentation operations that keep international freight moving — overseeing coordinators, managing carrier and broker relationships, optimizing transit times and costs, and ensuring smooth handoffs between inbound, outbound, and compliance functions. The emphasis is on operational execution and continuous improvement.

Import/Export Operations Specialists execute international freight transactions independently across all modes — ocean, air, and truck — handling documentation, customs coordination, and carrier management for a portfolio of active shipments. They combine operational execution with enough compliance knowledge to catch problems before they delay freight.

Import/Export Specialists are experienced trade professionals who manage shipments, handle compliance requirements, and resolve complex transaction issues with significant autonomy. The title covers both operations-heavy and compliance-heavy specializations, and the right candidate has enough depth to work either angle depending on what the shipment needs.

An Import/Export Specialist II is a senior individual contributor in trade operations — managing high-complexity transactions, leading compliance sub-programs, serving as the escalation point for classification and regulatory questions, and contributing to training and process documentation. The II designation signals that this person needs minimal management oversight and owns portions of the compliance program directly.

Import/Export Supervisors lead the day-to-day operations of trade teams — directing coordinators and specialists, ensuring transactions are processed accurately and on time, managing broker and carrier relationships, and handling escalations that exceed what individual contributors can resolve independently. They sit between the working-level staff and management.

Industrial Truck Mechanics diagnose, repair, and maintain forklifts, reach trucks, pallet jacks, and other powered industrial trucks used in warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing facilities. They keep material handling equipment operational and safe, working on combustion, electric, and propane-powered units across multiple brands.

Industrial Truck Operators drive and operate forklifts, reach trucks, pallet jacks, and other powered industrial trucks to move materials, load trailers, and support warehouse and manufacturing operations. The role requires OSHA-mandated training, mechanical awareness, and spatial judgment to work safely in congested facility environments.

Inside Sales Representatives in transportation sell freight services — truck brokerage, LTL, FTL, drayage, and logistics solutions — to shippers by phone, email, and video. They prospect for new accounts, provide spot and contract quotes, negotiate rates, and build the customer relationships that drive a freight broker's or carrier's revenue.

An Inside Sales Representative II in transportation is a seasoned freight sales professional managing a book of existing accounts while continuing to develop new business — operating with more autonomy, handling more complex freight programs, and serving as a resource for junior team members. They have demonstrated performance history and are often close to transitioning to enterprise or outside sales.

Intermodal Operations Coordinators manage the movement of shipping containers across rail, truck, and port networks — coordinating container bookings, drayage pickups and deliveries, rail car orders, and customer shipment communication. They are the operational link between ocean carriers, railroads, and dray carriers that keeps intermodal supply chains moving.

Intermodal Operations Managers lead the teams and programs that move containers across rail, truck, and port networks — managing coordinator staff, owning railroad and dray carrier relationships, driving equipment utilization and service metrics, and ensuring customer commitments are met across complex multi-leg supply chains.

Inventory Analysts use data to manage the balance between too much and too little stock — maintaining optimal inventory levels, identifying replenishment needs, diagnosing root causes of excess or shortage, and supporting procurement and distribution decisions with quantitative analysis. They sit at the intersection of supply chain operations and business intelligence.

An Inventory Clerk in transportation and warehousing keeps a building's stock records accurate: counting rack locations on a cycle schedule, checking inbound freight against bills of lading, posting receipts and transfers in the warehouse management system, and tracing every gap between the system and the shelf. The role sits on the warehouse floor and in the dock office at third-party logistics sites, parcel hubs and carrier terminals, reporting to inventory control or operations. BLS data for May 2025 put Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks in the transportation and warehousing sector at a $46,680 median, with a band of $37,550 to $63,740.

Inventory Control Managers lead the teams and systems that keep warehouse and distribution center stock records accurate — overseeing cycle count programs, managing WMS integrity, directing shrinkage investigations, and driving the process discipline that makes inventory data reliable enough to run supply chain operations from.

An Inventory Control Specialist II is a senior individual contributor who manages complex inventory programs, leads cycle count audits, mentors junior staff, and drives process improvement in distribution and logistics operations. They handle higher-complexity discrepancies, own accuracy reporting, and act as the subject matter expert for WMS configuration and inventory transaction workflows.

Load Planners organize freight shipments into cost-efficient truckload and LTL plans, matching cargo to carriers and equipment while meeting customer delivery windows. They work with transportation management systems, communicate with drivers and dispatchers, and balance cube, weight, and routing constraints to maximize load efficiency and on-time performance.

Logisticians plan, implement, and manage the flow of goods, services, and information across supply chains. They coordinate transportation, warehousing, inventory, and customer fulfillment to ensure that products move efficiently from origin to destination at acceptable cost and service levels. Logisticians work across industries including defense, retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and 3PL services.

A Logistics Accountant keeps the books for moving freight: auditing carrier invoices, billing shippers, booking freight accruals and closing the month for a trucking company, freight broker, third-party logistics provider or a shipper's transportation department. The job sits between the dispatch floor and the controller, turning load records from a transportation management system into journal entries, margins and lane reports. Federal wage data files the role under accountants and auditors, where the May 2025 national median was $83,680, with the 10th percentile at $56,020 and the 90th percentile at $144,090.

A logistics analyst studies freight and supply chain data to cut transportation cost and improve delivery performance. The role sits inside shipper transportation teams, third-party logistics providers, freight brokers, carriers and federal logistics offices, where it builds lane cost models, carrier scorecards and RFP bid analyses from TMS and ERP records. O*NET files the job under the Logisticians occupation (SOC 13-1081). For that occupation, BLS reported a May 2025 median wage of $82,320, with the 10th percentile at $50,890 and the 90th at $133,160. The work rewards people who combine SQL and Excel skill with a working knowledge of how freight is priced.

A Logistics Analyst II is a senior individual contributor who leads complex transportation analyses, manages major logistics projects like carrier RFPs and network evaluations, and serves as a technical resource for junior analysts and operations teams. They are expected to produce insights with less direction, handle more ambiguous analytical questions, and drive quantifiable improvements in freight cost and service performance.

A Logistics Analyst III is a principal-level analyst who leads enterprise-scale transportation analyses, designs analytical frameworks used by entire logistics functions, and drives strategic supply chain decisions through rigorous quantitative work. They typically influence multi-million dollar freight contract and network decisions, mentor analyst teams, and operate as technical authorities on logistics data and optimization methodology.

A Logistics Analyst IV is the most senior individual contributor in a logistics analytics organization, functioning as a recognized technical expert and thought leader in transportation analysis and supply chain optimization. They lead the most strategically consequential analytical work, define how the function evolves, and operate as a peer to director-level leadership rather than a direct report to it.

Logistics Associates support day-to-day transportation and distribution operations by processing shipments, coordinating with carriers and warehouses, handling documentation, and resolving routine logistics problems. The role is typically an entry-level position that provides hands-on exposure to the full lifecycle of a freight shipment, from order creation to delivery confirmation.

Logistics Consultants advise companies on improving the efficiency, cost, and reliability of their transportation and supply chain operations. They diagnose operational problems, design solutions, and guide implementation — working across network design, carrier strategy, technology selection, and process improvement for clients ranging from mid-size manufacturers to Fortune 500 retailers.

A logistics coordinator runs the daily execution of freight: booking carriers, preparing shipping paperwork, tracking loads in transit and fixing whatever breaks between pickup and delivery. The job sits inside shipper transportation departments, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), freight brokerages and forwarders, and often reports to a transportation or logistics manager. For pay, the closest federal wage category is cargo and freight agents, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics put at a median annual wage of $52,260 in May 2025. Coordinators who move into planning and analysis cross into the logistician category.

A Logistics Coordinator II is a senior coordinator who manages more complex shipment portfolios, handles higher-value accounts or international freight, takes on team lead or training responsibilities, and operates with greater independence than Coordinator I staff. They are the escalation point for difficult exceptions and typically own a defined segment of the freight operation end-to-end.

A Logistics Coordinator III is the most senior operational coordinator in a logistics team, combining expert execution of complex freight programs with leadership of the coordination function. They handle the organization's most challenging freight accounts, lead process improvement projects, manage junior staff development, and serve as the operational authority between the coordination team and management.

Logistics Customer Service Managers in transportation lead teams of agents and representatives who handle shipper inquiries, passenger complaints, freight claims, and service issues across airline, trucking, transit, and logistics operations. They develop service standards, manage performance metrics, resolve escalated complaints, and work with operations to reduce the root causes of service failures.

Logistics Customer Service Representatives in transportation handle inbound inquiries from shippers, passengers, and logistics partners — answering questions about shipment status, bookings, rates, claims, and service issues. They work at airlines, trucking companies, freight brokers, and transit agencies as the primary human interface between the operation and its customers.

Logistics Engineers apply engineering methods to design, analyze, and improve the physical systems and processes that move goods through supply chains — including warehouse layouts, material handling equipment, transportation networks, and distribution center workflows. They combine quantitative analysis with operational knowledge to reduce cost and increase throughput in logistics infrastructure.

A Logistics Manager runs the movement and storage of goods for a carrier, a third-party logistics provider, a distributor or a shipper: choosing carriers and modes, setting warehouse and inventory policy, keeping freight costs on budget and making sure shipments clear customs and federal transport rules. The job sits above coordinators, dispatchers and analysts and below a director of logistics or supply chain. BLS counts logistics managers inside Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers, an occupation with a May 2025 national median of $107,230, a 10th percentile of $65,120 and a 90th percentile of $194,900.

A Logistics Manager II is a senior manager who oversees larger, more complex logistics operations than a Logistics Manager I — typically managing larger teams, bigger freight budgets, or multiple logistics functions simultaneously. They provide strategic input on carrier programs, technology decisions, and network design while maintaining accountability for day-to-day operational performance.

Logistics Operations Analysts in transportation use data analysis to improve the efficiency, cost, and performance of freight, fleet, or transit operations. They pull and interpret data from TMS, fleet management, and operational systems to identify trends, build reports, and recommend process changes that operations managers can act on.

Logistics Operations Coordinators in transportation handle the day-to-day administrative and communication work that keeps freight moving, drivers dispatched, and customers updated. They work across TMS platforms, track shipments, resolve service exceptions, and coordinate between drivers, shippers, receivers, and operations managers.

A Logistics Planner turns demand forecasts, inventory targets and carrier capacity into a freight plan: which lanes run, on what days, by which mode, and at what cost. The role sits between supply chain planning and transportation execution at manufacturers, retailers, distributors, third-party logistics providers and defense programs. BLS has no separate code for the title and counts it under Logisticians (SOC 13-1081), whose May 2025 national median wage was $82,320, with the 10th percentile at $50,890 and the 90th at $133,160. Planners spend their days in ERP and transportation management systems, S&OP meetings and spreadsheets that weigh freight cost against delivery service.

A Logistics Project Manager runs the time-boxed change work inside freight, warehousing and distribution operations: a transportation management system (TMS) rollout, a new distribution center, a wave of carrier onboarding or a traceability data build. The role sits between operations, IT, finance and outside vendors, and it owns scope, schedule, budget and go-live readiness rather than daily freight flow. The closest BLS occupation is project management specialists. In transportation and warehousing, that occupation's May 2025 wages ran from $63,440 at the 10th percentile to $174,070 at the 90th, with a median of $115,490. BLS does not report the logistics title separately.

A Logistics Sales Manager in transportation leads a team of freight, logistics, or carrier sales representatives to hit revenue targets, grow the customer base, and retain existing accounts. They hire and develop salespeople, manage the pipeline, forecast revenue, and work closely with operations to ensure the company can deliver on what sales promises.

Logistics Specialists manage a defined slice of freight operations, coordinating shipments, resolving cross-functional problems, maintaining carrier relationships, and producing performance reports for a specific mode, carrier segment, or account. The title spans commercial transportation, third-party logistics, defense contracting, and government supply chains, and typically signals more specialized expertise than a logistics coordinator or associate. In 2026, automation is taking on more routine transaction work such as invoice matching and shipment tracking, so specialists who can configure, monitor, and correct these systems, rather than only process transactions by hand, are best positioned as the role's value shifts toward judgment and exception handling.

A Logistics Supervisor in transportation runs a shift of logistics coordinators, freight clerks and dock workers at a carrier, third-party logistics provider, freight broker or shipper's distribution center, keeping loads booked, tracked, loaded and documented. The role reports to a logistics or operations manager and takes the exceptions a coordinator cannot settle alone. BLS does not report logistics supervisors' pay as its own occupation; O*NET files the title under Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (SOC 11-3071). In the transportation and warehousing industry, that occupation's May 2025 wages were $68,040 at the 10th percentile, $103,100 at the median and $176,110 at the 90th percentile.

Logistics Supply Chain Managers in transportation and logistics organizations oversee the people, systems, and processes that move goods from origin to destination. They manage carrier relationships, transportation budgets, distribution operations, and supply chain planning while directing teams of analysts, coordinators, and logistics supervisors toward measurable performance targets.

Logistics Warehouse Managers direct all operational, staffing, and financial functions of a warehouse or distribution center — overseeing receiving, storage, picking, packing, and shipping teams while controlling costs, maintaining safety standards, and ensuring order accuracy. They are accountable for everything that happens inside the four walls of their facility.

LTL Sales Representatives sell less-than-truckload freight transportation services for regional, national, or specialty LTL carriers. They prospect for new shipper customers, negotiate rate agreements, manage existing account relationships, and grow revenue by connecting shippers' freight needs with their carrier's network capabilities.

An LTL Terminal Operator works the dock at a less-than-truckload (LTL) freight terminal, often called a service center, unloading inbound linehaul and pickup trailers, scanning each handling unit, sorting it to the correct door and building outbound loads with forklifts and pallet jacks. The job sits on the hourly side of carrier operations, between city and linehaul drivers on one side and dock supervisors on the other. BLS does not report terminal dock workers separately; for hand freight movers in the truck transportation industry, May 2025 pay ran from $34,270 at the 10th percentile to $60,900 at the 90th, with a median of $45,770.

A Maintenance Technician II in transportation handles mid-to-advanced repair and diagnostic work on commercial vehicles and transit equipment, operating independently on complex faults and mentoring Technician I staff. This level requires demonstrated proficiency across multiple systems and is typically the certification and experience tier between journeyman and lead.

Materials Handlers in transportation physically move, sort, and stage freight, parcels, and cargo throughout warehouse, terminal, and cargo operations. They use forklifts, pallet jacks, and conveyor systems to process inbound and outbound shipments efficiently while maintaining accurate inventory tracking and safety compliance.

Materials Managers in transportation direct the procurement, storage, and distribution of spare parts, maintenance supplies, and operational materials that keep fleets and transit systems running. They manage inventory levels, supplier relationships, and parts room operations to minimize equipment downtime while controlling carrying costs.

Motor Coach Dispatchers coordinate the movement of charter buses, intercity coaches, and tour vehicles by scheduling drivers, assigning trips, monitoring vehicle locations, and resolving service disruptions. They are the operational hub between customers, drivers, and management, keeping service commitments on schedule while managing last-minute changes.

An Operations Coordinator II in transportation handles mid-level coordination responsibilities including complex shipment management, carrier negotiation support, and junior coordinator mentoring. This tier reflects demonstrated proficiency beyond entry level — managing exceptions independently, improving processes, and serving as a reliable resource for internal teams and key customer accounts.

Operations Engineers in transportation apply engineering methods to optimize the performance, efficiency, and reliability of freight networks, transit systems, and logistics operations. They analyze operational data, model process changes, develop technical solutions, and work with operations teams to implement improvements that reduce cost and improve service.

An Operations Manager II in transportation oversees multi-site operations, larger budget scope, or more complex freight service lines than a standard Operations Manager. This tier typically applies to managers who have demonstrated sustained results and taken on expanded accountability before advancing to Director.

An Operations Manager III in transportation is a senior operations executive responsible for a large regional portfolio, major hub operations, or strategic business unit. This tier bridges the gap between multi-site Operations Manager and Operations Director, with direct accountability for significant revenue and cost performance and substantial leadership depth.

Operations Supervisors in transportation manage a shift or functional area within a terminal, transit garage, or logistics facility. They direct drivers, dock workers, or transit operators, handle daily service issues, enforce safety and compliance standards, and serve as the first management contact for the frontline workforce.

Operations Support Managers in transportation lead the teams and processes that provide infrastructure to field operations — including systems administration, reporting, training coordination, compliance tracking, and cross-functional project support. They are the backstage function that enables frontline operations to execute effectively.

Operations Support Specialists provide administrative, technical, and data support to transportation operations teams. They handle system data entry, reporting, compliance tracking, document management, and cross-functional communication, allowing dispatchers, coordinators, and managers to focus on execution rather than administrative workload.

Operations Support Supervisors in transportation lead a team of support specialists and coordinators who handle data management, reporting, compliance tracking, and administrative functions that keep field operations running. They set performance standards for the support function, manage team productivity, and serve as the escalation point between specialists and operations management.

Order Selectors pick, stage, and prepare freight orders in transportation distribution centers, food distribution warehouses, and logistics hubs. They use voice-directed picking systems, forklifts, or manual equipment to select cases or pallets according to customer orders and stage them accurately for loading and delivery.

A Package Handler unloads, scans, sorts and loads parcels at a carrier's sort hub, air cargo facility or delivery station, moving each package from an inbound trailer to the outbound truck or aircraft that carries it on. The job sits in the transportation side of parcel delivery, and BLS counts it under hand laborers and freight movers. In the couriers and express delivery industry, that occupation earned a median of $44,650 in May 2025, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $37,440 and $49,010. Hub jobs include part-time shifts, so an annual figure depends on the hours a sort runs.

Parts Clerks manage the ordering, receiving, storage, and dispensing of vehicle and equipment parts at automotive dealerships, fleet maintenance shops, and industrial repair facilities. They are the interface between technicians who need parts now and suppliers who measure lead times in days — their organizational accuracy and vendor relationships keep the shop floor moving.

Parts Managers run the parts department at automotive dealerships, fleet maintenance operations, and heavy equipment distributors. They own inventory investment, vendor negotiations, wholesale account development, warranty claim administration, and the performance of a team of parts clerks — making the department a profit center rather than just a support function.

Commercial Pilots fly aircraft carrying passengers, cargo, or specialized payloads for airlines, cargo carriers, charter operators, and corporate flight departments. They are responsible for safe flight operations from preflight planning through landing and shutdown, working as part of a two-pilot crew under FAA regulations and airline standard operating procedures. Pay and hiring have both repriced sharply since 2021: regional first officer pay has nearly doubled, major-carrier contracts have delivered 30-50% raises, and 2026's newest agreements lock in two pilots on the flight deck even as cockpit automation keeps advancing.

Production Planners in the transportation sector develop and maintain production schedules for vehicle assembly, component manufacturing, or equipment fabrication operations. They translate customer demand and sales forecasts into detailed shop floor schedules, manage material availability to prevent line stoppages, and adjust plans in real time when disruptions occur.

Program Managers in the transportation sector lead the full development lifecycle of new vehicle platforms, powertrain programs, or transportation infrastructure projects from concept through launch. They own the schedule, budget, and cross-functional team coordination that transforms an engineering concept into a production-ready product delivered on time and at cost.

Purchasing Directors lead the procurement function for transportation organizations — overseeing spend strategy, commodity category management, supplier development, procurement team performance, and cross-functional integration with operations, finance, and legal. They are accountable for total cost outcomes across the organization's procurement portfolio and for building the supplier relationships that support long-term operational needs.

Quality Control Inspectors in transportation manufacturing verify that vehicle components, assemblies, and finished vehicles meet dimensional, functional, and cosmetic specifications before they advance through the production process or ship to customers. Using hand tools, gauges, and CMMs, they document nonconformances and support the corrective action process that prevents defects from recurring.

Quality Control Supervisors in transportation manufacturing manage teams of inspectors and quality technicians, overseeing inspection operations across incoming, in-process, and final stages of production. They ensure inspection standards are consistently applied, lead investigations when quality escapes occur, and serve as the bridge between the quality department and the production floor.

Railcar Mechanics inspect, repair, and certify freight and passenger railcars at repair facilities, classification yards, and en-route inspection points. They diagnose and fix mechanical, hydraulic, and air brake defects, perform federally mandated safety inspections, and ensure that every car leaving their facility meets FRA and AAR standards.

A ramp agent is the airline ground worker who loads and unloads bags, cargo and mail, guides aircraft into and out of gates, and hooks up ground power and air between flights. The job sits on the airside apron, working for an airline or a contract ground handler alongside gate agents, fuelers and cabin cleaners. BLS does not publish a ramp agent category, so the closest pay data is its row for hand freight and material movers employed in air transportation: in May 2025 that group earned a median of $46,340, with a 10th-to-90th percentile range of $37,190 to $72,460. The work is outdoors, loud and physical, tied to a tight flight schedule.

Regional Directors of Transportation oversee transportation operations across a geographic region — managing multiple terminals, service centers, or district operations, holding P&L accountability for regional performance, and leading a team of operations managers and supervisors. They translate corporate strategy into regional execution while managing the operational realities of driver capacity, equipment availability, and customer service quality.

A Regional Operations Manager in transportation manages the day-to-day operational performance of multiple locations, routes, or functional teams within a defined territory. They bridge the gap between senior directors and frontline supervisors—translating strategy into execution while keeping service, safety, and cost metrics on track across their assigned region.

A Regional Sales Manager in transportation leads a team of sales representatives to grow revenue within a defined geographic territory. They are responsible for hitting the region's revenue quota, developing their sales team's skills and pipeline discipline, and building relationships with key accounts that drive meaningful volume.

A Regional Transportation Manager oversees the movement of freight, people, or equipment across a defined geographic region—managing carrier relationships, optimizing routing, controlling transportation costs, and ensuring on-time, compliant delivery. The role spans industries from retail distribution to manufacturing to public transit, but the core challenge is always the same: keep things moving reliably within a budget.

Regional Transportation Planners develop long-range transportation plans, analyze travel demand, evaluate project alternatives, and guide transportation investment decisions at metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), state DOTs, and consulting firms. They sit at the intersection of land use, demographics, and mobility — translating community goals and growth forecasts into infrastructure and policy recommendations.

Route Drivers deliver products along assigned geographic routes, maintaining regular customer relationships and handling both the driving and customer service aspects of each stop. Unlike over-the-road truckers, route drivers return to a home base daily and often manage their own inventory, collections, and customer accounts within their territory.

A Route Manager supervises a team of drivers and their assigned routes, ensuring that deliveries are completed on time, customers are served well, and route operations run efficiently. They handle daily dispatch challenges, coach drivers, manage route performance metrics, and act as the first escalation point between drivers and company leadership.

A Route Sales Representative combines the driving responsibilities of a route driver with active sales work on each stop—managing existing accounts, growing product placements, adding new customers, and meeting weekly sales targets. The role is common in beverage distribution, snack and bakery delivery, and specialty food service, where direct-store delivery is paired with consultative selling.

A Route Supervisor oversees a team of route drivers in a distribution or delivery operation, managing daily route execution, driver performance, customer service, and compliance. They work on the floor and in the field—not just behind a desk—coaching drivers, resolving exceptions in real time, and ensuring every route in their territory gets completed on time.

A Safety Specialist in transportation implements and monitors safety programs at the operational level—conducting driver observations, reviewing compliance data, coordinating training, supporting accident investigations, and identifying risks before they become incidents. The role sits between the coordination function of a safety coordinator and the program ownership of a safety manager.

A Shipping Agent books cargo space, prepares bills of lading and shipping documents, and tracks freight from pickup to release for ocean carriers and their port agencies, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, rail and truck terminals and airline cargo operations. The agent sits between the shipper, the carrier and the consignee, quoting rates, enforcing cutoffs and sending the arrival and delay notices that keep cargo moving. BLS counts the job under Cargo and Freight Agents, whose May 2025 national wages ran from $38,340 at the 10th percentile to $79,810 at the 90th, with a median of $52,260.

A Shipping and Receiving Associate checks freight in and out of a warehouse, distribution center or plant. On the inbound side the associate counts and inspects deliveries against the bill of lading and purchase order, records overages, shortages and damage, and enters receipts in the warehouse management system. On the outbound side the job means packing and palletizing orders, preparing shipping documents and booking carrier pickups. The federal occupation is Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks, which paid a median of $45,260 in May 2025, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $34,650 to $62,190, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A Shipping and Receiving Clerk keeps the record of every load that crosses a dock. On the inbound side that means checking freight against purchase orders and packing lists and logging what arrived short or damaged; on the outbound side it means bills of lading, labels and carrier pickups. The clerk sits between the warehouse floor, purchasing, accounting and the carriers, in manufacturing plants, distribution centers, wholesalers and retailers. BLS counts the job under Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks, which earned a national median of $45,260 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $34,650 and the 90th percentile at $62,190.

A Shipping and Receiving Coordinator runs the freight dock of a warehouse, plant or distribution center: booking carrier appointments, checking inbound loads against purchase orders, building outbound bills of lading and settling exceptions before they become claims. The job sits between the dock crew and the purchasing, customer service and transportation teams, and it is the person carriers call when a load is late or short. BLS files the title with Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks, an occupation whose May 2025 national wages ran from $34,650 at the 10th percentile to $62,190 at the 90th, with a median of $45,260. BLS does not report coordinators separately.

A Shipping and Receiving Manager II leads a full dock department at a high-volume distribution or manufacturing facility—managing a team of dock supervisors, coordinators, and associates; owning the department's operational and financial performance; and driving improvements in throughput, accuracy, and carrier relationships. The 'II' designation typically reflects larger scope, greater budget responsibility, or multi-shift management compared to a Manager I role.

A Shipping and Receiving Supervisor manages a shift or area of dock operations—directing dock workers, forklift operators, and clerks through inbound and outbound freight activity, enforcing safety and documentation standards, and ensuring that the dock performs to throughput and accuracy targets. The role is the frontline leadership layer between the dock team and operations management.

A Shipping and Receiving Supervisor III is a senior-level dock supervisor with expanded scope—typically managing multiple shifts or a large dock team, overseeing subordinate supervisors, leading process improvement projects, and serving as the operational leader when the dock manager is unavailable. The III designation reflects increased responsibility relative to entry and mid-level supervisor titles.

A Shipping Clerk prepares outbound freight for carriers: weighing and labeling shipments, building bills of lading, booking pickups, filing export data when needed, and closing each order in the warehouse system. The role sits on the dock side of warehouses, parcel hubs, freight terminals and distribution centers, between the people who pick orders and the drivers who haul them. BLS counts shipping clerks within Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks, an occupation with a May 2025 median annual wage of $45,260 with a 10th percentile of $34,650 and a 90th percentile of $62,190. Training typically happens on the job after a high school diploma.

A Shipping Clerk II is a senior shipping clerk with expanded responsibilities—handling more complex carrier programs, international documentation, hazmat shipping, or informal team lead duties in addition to core outbound documentation tasks. The II designation reflects demonstrated proficiency and the expectation of greater independent judgment and scope than an entry-level clerk.

A Shipping Coordinator plans and runs a facility's outbound freight, from the moment an order is released to the moment a carrier signs for it. The job books parcel, LTL and truckload carriers, checks bills of lading and labels, enforces customer routing guides, handles late or rejected loads, and files freight claims. Coordinators work for manufacturers, wholesale distributors, third-party logistics warehouses and fulfillment centers. O*NET lists the title under Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks, an occupation with a May 2025 national median wage of $45,260 and a 10th to 90th percentile range of $34,650 to $62,190.

A Shipping Manager runs the outbound side of a warehouse, distribution center or freight terminal: the dock schedule, carrier bookings, shipping documents, freight spend and the crew that loads trailers and parcel carts. In transportation and warehousing, the job sits inside third-party logistics (3PL) warehouses, parcel and courier networks, and carrier operations, and it reports up to site or operations leadership. O*NET files the title under Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers; in the Transportation and Warehousing industry that occupation earned a median of $103,100 in May 2025, with a 10th-to-90th percentile range of $68,040 to $176,110. Hazmat rules, freight classification and carrier pricing shape much of the work.

Shipping and Receiving Managers direct both inbound and outbound freight operations at warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing plants. They oversee dock teams, verify incoming shipments against purchase orders, coordinate outbound carrier pickups, manage inventory accuracy at receiving, and ensure documentation is complete and compliant on both ends.

A Shipping Supervisor II is a senior dock supervisor who manages complex, high-volume outbound operations — often across multiple shifts, product lines, or freight modes. They carry greater autonomy than a Shipping Supervisor I, lead continuous improvement initiatives, mentor junior supervisors, and serve as the acting manager when the Shipping Manager is unavailable.

A Supply Chain Analyst II is a mid-senior analyst who leads complex transportation and logistics projects independently — network optimization studies, carrier RFPs, freight cost modeling, and cross-functional supply chain improvement initiatives. They mentor junior analysts, manage stakeholder relationships, and are expected to own projects from data extraction through executive presentation.

A Supply Chain Forward Deployed Engineer is a software engineer employed by a supply chain or freight technology vendor who embeds with that vendor's customers, such as shippers, carriers, freight brokers and third-party logistics providers, to get the product working inside their operations. The job sits between engineering, implementation and the client's own logistics team: mapping EDI feeds, wiring the platform into ERP, TMS and WMS data, and configuring AI agents for work like check calls and invoice processing. BLS does not track the title. Software Developers at software publishers earned a median of $164,550 in May 2025, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $82,180 to $218,330.

Supply Chain Planners develop and manage the plans that synchronize supply with demand — balancing inventory levels, inbound transportation schedules, production timing, and distribution requirements to ensure products are available where and when they're needed at a manageable cost. They work at the intersection of procurement, transportation, warehousing, and sales.

Tanker Drivers operate liquid bulk transport vehicles — moving fuel, chemicals, food-grade liquids, industrial gases, and other liquid cargoes from terminals, plants, and refineries to distribution points, retail fuel outlets, and industrial customers. The role requires a CDL with Tank Vehicle and Hazardous Materials endorsements and demands high safety discipline due to the volatile or hazardous nature of most cargoes.

Taxi Drivers transport passengers to requested destinations using sedans, minivans, or SUVs — accepting rides dispatched through cab companies, hailed from the street, or booked via company apps. They maintain vehicles, navigate efficiently, handle fare transactions, and provide safe and professional customer service to a diverse range of riders.

A Terminal Manager runs one freight terminal for a trucking carrier: the dock, the dispatch office, the city and linehaul drivers based there, and the budget, service and safety results that come with the building. In transportation, the job sits above dock and dispatch supervisors and reports to a regional or district operations leader. O*NET lists terminal manager and truck terminal manager under Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. In the truck transportation industry, BLS reports that occupation's May 2025 median pay at $98,800, with the 10th percentile at $64,630 and the 90th percentile at $160,810.

A Trailer Mechanic keeps semi-trailers, reefers, flatbeds and chassis legal and roadworthy, working on the air brakes, lights, wheel ends, suspensions, floors, doors and refrigeration units that sit behind the tractor. The job lives in carrier terminals, trailer dealers, leasing shops and public fleets, and much of it is shaped by the periodic inspection and brake rules in 49 CFR Part 396. BLS counts the work under bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, which earned a national median of $61,770 in May 2025, with the 10th percentile at $44,530 and the 90th at $88,740.

A transit operator drives a fixed-route bus for a public transit agency or a contractor that runs service for one, carrying riders on a published schedule, handling fares, deploying ramps and lifts, and reporting incidents to dispatch. The work sits inside the agency's operations division, under road supervisors and dispatchers, and BLS groups the job under Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity. Among those employed by local government, May 2025 pay ran from $42,360 at the 10th percentile to $84,700 at the 90th, with a median of $64,590.

Transportation Analysts II apply data analysis and operations research to improve freight movement, reduce costs, and optimize carrier networks for shippers, logistics providers, and public agencies. They sit between operational teams and management, translating raw shipment data into actionable recommendations on lane rates, mode selection, and service-level tradeoffs.

Transportation Analysts III are senior individual contributors who lead complex network analysis, carrier strategy projects, and analytical program development for shippers, 3PLs, and transportation agencies. They work with minimal supervision on high-stakes questions — network redesign, modal shift modeling, carrier consolidation — and mentor junior analysts while serving as the technical authority on transportation data and methods.

Transportation Coordinators II handle more complex freight portfolios, carrier negotiations, and cross-functional coordination than entry-level coordinators. They manage high-priority or high-volume lanes with less supervision, step into escalation situations that require experienced judgment, and often serve as the point of contact for key carrier relationships or major customer accounts.

Transportation Engineers plan, design, and analyze road, transit, and traffic systems to move people and goods safely and efficiently. They conduct traffic studies, design intersection improvements and highway alignments, model travel demand, and manage infrastructure projects from concept through construction, typically working for government agencies, engineering consulting firms, or metropolitan planning organizations.

Transportation Engineers II are mid-career civil engineers who handle complex traffic analyses, lead project components with moderate supervision, and move toward PE licensure and project management responsibility. They run the technical core of transportation studies — traffic modeling, geometric design, safety analyses — with enough experience to make independent methodological choices and explain them to clients and agency reviewers.

Transportation Engineers III are licensed Professional Engineers who lead complex transportation projects, manage project teams, and serve as the technical authority on specialized areas within their practice. They stamp engineering documents, serve as primary client contacts on mid-sized to large projects, and mentor junior engineers while handling the technical complexity that requires senior-level judgment.

Transportation Managers oversee a company's freight operations — managing carrier relationships, controlling transportation costs, developing their team, and ensuring freight moves reliably at competitive rates. They are accountable for the performance of the transportation function: on-time delivery rates, cost per shipment, carrier compliance, and the operational capability of the team executing day-to-day freight.

Transportation Operations Directors in transportation provide strategic and operational leadership for regional or national freight, fleet, or logistics operations. They own the P&L for their scope, develop operations leadership teams, set service and cost performance standards, and work with senior management on growth and network strategy.

A Transportation Operations Manager runs the daily execution of a freight or passenger network: the drivers, dispatchers, equipment and schedules that move loads or riders on time and within budget. The role sits above shift supervisors and dispatch leads and below a director or general manager, and it owns the operation's cost, safety and service results. BLS counts these managers within Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers. In the transportation and warehousing industry, that occupation earned a May 2025 median of $103,100, with the 10th percentile at $68,040 and the 90th percentile at $176,110.

Transportation Project Managers lead the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects — highways, bridges, transit facilities, and multimodal improvements — from planning and design through construction and closeout. They coordinate multidisciplinary teams, manage budgets and schedules, navigate regulatory and stakeholder requirements, and are ultimately accountable for delivering projects on time, on budget, and to technical standards.

Transportation Purchasing Coordinators manage the administrative and operational aspects of procuring freight services, fleet parts, vehicles, and operational supplies. They bridge the gap between operational departments with urgent purchasing needs and the vendors, carriers, and suppliers who fulfill those needs — ensuring orders are accurate, deliveries are tracked, and costs are properly documented.

Transportation Purchasing Managers lead procurement teams focused specifically on freight services, carrier contracts, fleet equipment, and transportation-specific supplies. They manage the supply base that keeps fleets moving and freight flowing, with particular expertise in freight market dynamics, carrier relationship management, and fuel procurement strategies.

Transportation Safety Managers II are senior safety professionals who manage complex safety programs for large fleets, multi-division carriers, or transportation operations with specialized regulatory exposure. They lead safety teams, develop enterprise-wide safety strategy, manage high-stakes regulatory relationships, and drive measurable improvements in accident rates and compliance standing across significant operations.

A transportation supervisor is the first-line manager over drivers, dispatchers, yard crews or bus operators, responsible for one shift or terminal's daily work and for the federal compliance that comes with supervising commercial drivers. The job sits between frontline staff and an operations or transportation manager at trucking carriers, couriers, warehouses, transit agencies and school districts. BLS counts it under First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers (SOC 53-1047). In the transportation and warehousing sector, May 2025 OEWS data put the median at $69,820, with the 10th percentile at $48,160 and the 90th percentile at $100,000.

Transportation Supervisors II are experienced logistics supervisors who manage larger or more complex operations than a first-level supervisor — multi-shift functions, specialized compliance programs, or operations with significant safety or regulatory exposure. They supervise supervisor-level staff in some cases, serve as the senior on-site authority during complex situations, and are actively building toward manager-level responsibility.

Transportation Supervisors III are the most senior supervisory level in logistics organizations that maintain a structured supervision ladder — typically responsible for a significant operational area, multi-team oversight, or a complex compliance and safety program. They operate with near-manager autonomy and are typically on an active track toward Transportation Manager or Operations Manager.

A Truck Driver operates a tractor-trailer or other heavy commercial vehicle to move freight between shippers, distribution centers, ports and stores, working under a commercial driver's license and federal safety rules. Drivers run local, regional or long-haul routes for for-hire carriers, for private fleets owned by retailers and manufacturers, or under their own authority as owner-operators. The job pairs time behind the wheel with vehicle inspections, electronic duty-status logs, load securement and steady contact with dispatch. BLS reports a May 2025 median wage of $58,640 for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, with the 10th percentile at $40,140 and the 90th percentile at $79,380.

Truck Driver Supervisors manage a team of CDL drivers — overseeing their schedules, performance, safety compliance, and day-to-day work. They are the first management layer between the driver workforce and operations management, responsible for DOT compliance on their team, driver conduct and performance, and the service quality of the routes their drivers cover.

Truck Driver Trainers develop the skills of new CDL drivers through behind-the-wheel instruction, mentoring, and compliance training. They ride with student drivers or new hires, assess their skills in maneuvering, highway driving, and regulatory compliance, and certify that drivers are ready for solo operation — serving as the final quality gate before a driver runs independently.

Truck Driver Trainers II are senior training professionals who combine hands-on driver instruction with curriculum development, trainer mentoring, and training program administration responsibilities. They go beyond one-on-one training to develop the systems, materials, and other trainers that determine the quality of a carrier's entire driver development program.

Trucking Coordinators schedule and dispatch freight shipments, manage carrier relationships, and ensure loads move on time and within budget. They serve as the communication hub between shippers, drivers, and receivers, resolving delays and keeping freight flowing across local, regional, and long-haul networks.

Trucking Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day running of a trucking company or fleet division — managing dispatchers, monitoring driver performance, controlling operating costs, and ensuring regulatory compliance. They bridge the gap between executive strategy and field execution, making the decisions that determine whether trucks run profitably and on time.

Trucking Owner-Operators own and operate their own commercial trucks, hauling freight as independent contractors or under carrier authority. They are simultaneously driver, small business owner, and logistics manager — responsible for finding loads, maintaining their equipment, managing operating expenses, and building the customer or broker relationships that keep their truck profitable.

A Trucking Safety Manager runs the safety and compliance program for a motor carrier or a private truck fleet: driver qualification files, DOT drug and alcohol testing, crash response, hours-of-service review and the CSA data that regulators, insurers and freight brokers read. The seat sits between dispatch and risk management. O*NET files the safety manager title under Managers, All Other, a catch-all occupation. In truck transportation, BLS put that occupation's May 2025 pay at $64,990 at the 10th percentile, $104,260 at the median and $187,100 at the 90th percentile. BLS does not report trucking safety managers separately.

A Warehouse Associate is the floor worker in a fulfillment or distribution center who receives freight, stows inventory, picks and packs customer orders, and stages them for carriers. The federal classification is Stockers and Order Fillers (SOC 53-7065). The job sits inside the warehousing and storage industry, where much of the work is scanned, timed and directed by warehouse management software. In May 2025 BLS data for stockers and order fillers in warehousing and storage, pay ran from $37,130 at the 10th percentile to $60,010 at the 90th, with a median of $44,700 a year.

Warehouse Clerks handle the documentation, data entry, and administrative functions that keep warehouse and inventory operations accurate. They process receiving paperwork, update inventory records, track shipments, and generate reports — bridging the physical work of the warehouse floor with the systems and records that govern inventory control.

A Warehouse Coordinator plans and runs the daily flow of freight through a distribution center, 3PL building or cross-dock: booking dock appointments, assigning crews, releasing order waves and keeping carriers, purchasing and customer service informed. The role sits between floor associates and the shift or site manager and, in the version this page describes, plans and schedules work without direct reports. BLS does not report coordinators separately; for shipping, receiving and inventory clerks in warehousing and storage, May 2025 pay ran from $37,410 at the 10th percentile to $61,030 at the 90th, with a median of $46,640.

Warehouse Inventory Control Specialists maintain the accuracy of stock records in warehouses, distribution centers, and logistics operations. They conduct cycle counts, investigate discrepancies, manage receiving and shipment documentation, and keep inventory systems aligned with physical stock so that orders fill correctly and shrinkage stays low.

Warehouse Manager II is a senior-level warehouse management role typically distinguished from a standard Warehouse Manager by larger facility scope, multi-shift accountability, greater budget authority, or cross-functional leadership responsibility. These managers run high-complexity distribution operations, develop subordinate managers, and often represent their facility in company-wide planning and strategy discussions.

A Warehouse Operations Manager runs the daily work of a warehouse or distribution center: receiving, putaway, picking, packing and shipping, plus the supervisors, labor plan and safety program behind them. The role sits above shift supervisors and below a site general manager or director of operations. BLS files it under transportation, storage, and distribution managers, and in the warehousing and storage industry that occupation earned a median of $99,330 in May 2025, with the 10th and 90th percentiles at $75,540 and $165,720. Employers include third-party logistics providers, retailers, wholesalers, parcel carriers and manufacturers running their own distribution networks.

Warehouse Shipping Supervisors direct the outbound operations of a distribution center — managing dock teams, coordinating carrier pickups, verifying load accuracy, and ensuring outbound freight departs on schedule with complete documentation. They are accountable for on-time shipping performance and outbound order accuracy on their shift.

A Warehouse Specialist is a skilled hourly worker in a warehouse, cross-dock or distribution center who handles receiving checks, equipment moves, cycle counts and freight exceptions that general associates pass up the line. In transportation and warehousing, the title appears at third-party logistics providers, carrier terminals and fleet parts warehouses. O*NET files it under Stockers and Order Fillers. In the Transportation and Warehousing sector, that occupation earned a May 2025 median of $44,700, with a 10th to 90th percentile range of $37,020 to $60,070, according to BLS. Specialists work under OSHA's employer-certified forklift rules and, when they touch regulated freight, DOT hazmat training rules.

A Warehouse Supervisor runs one shift of associates in a distribution center or storage facility: assigning people to receiving, put-away, picking, packing and loading, keeping the work on schedule, and enforcing safety rules on the floor. In transportation and logistics the job sits between hourly associates and the operations or warehouse manager. BLS counts it within first-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers. In the warehousing and storage industry, that occupation's May 2025 wages ran from $48,640 at the 10th percentile to $93,510 at the 90th, with a median of $72,380.

A warehouse worker moves freight through a storage or distribution building: unloading trailers, checking counts, putting pallets away, pulling stock for outbound orders and loading the next truck. BLS files the job under Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (SOC 53-7062), and O*NET lists warehouse worker among that occupation's reported titles. In the Warehousing and Storage industry, the May 2025 BLS wage survey put the median at $45,880, with the 10th percentile at $36,350 and the 90th at $56,900. The job is learned on the floor, and in California, Washington, Minnesota, Oregon and New York it is covered by laws that limit how production quotas can be set and enforced.

A Yard Jockey moves trailers and containers inside a fenced yard at a distribution center, manufacturing plant, port or rail ramp, using a terminal tractor to shuttle them between parking rows and dock doors. The job sits between the gate and the dock: drivers drop trailers, and the jockey makes sure each one reaches the right door at the right time, then pulls it when loading or unloading is done. BLS does not report the title separately; for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, the occupation where O*NET files the Yard Spotter title, the May 2025 median wage was $58,640, with the 10th to 90th percentile running from $40,140 to $79,380.

Yard Managers oversee all operations within a facility's trailer yard, managing yard jockeys, tracking trailer inventory, coordinating door assignments with warehouse and transportation teams, and ensuring equipment is available where needed. They sit at the intersection of warehouse operations and transportation, making sure trailers flow efficiently through the facility. The role demands real-time awareness of every trailer's location, load status, and detention clock, plus the ability to communicate that information rapidly to dock supervisors, carrier partners, and gate staff. At large distribution centers, a Yard Manager's decisions directly impact throughput, detention costs, and safety compliance across the entire operation.