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Undoubtedly, the transportation industry is the most important sector of any economy, with various high-paying work prospects.

Working in the transportation business allows you to earn a good life and a lot of money.

So, how much do transportation jobs pay in this very profitable industry?

If you want to work in transportation, this page will explain the pay scale for numerous transportation careers in the United States and the average compensation, job descriptions, and employment qualifications.

What is Transportation?

Transportation is the movement of anything from one point to another. This might include moving goods from a manufacturer to a distributor or from a distributor to a client.

What is a Transportation Job?

Regular transportation work requires a methodical, objective, and straightforward person because you must follow specific regulations and processes to perform your obligations.

If you love working with tools, machines, and instruments to repair equipment, transportation employment may interest you.

You may also be required to direct others and assume responsibility for planning, organizing, and choosing how you and others will work.

Transportation jobs typically need you to be self-directed and autonomous.

While it is customary to begin in an entry-level role, as you acquire experience, you may be able to develop your career and become a supervisor, driver trainer, safety officer, or truck dispatcher.

Transportation careers ranging from truck driving to aircraft pilot may present you with a number of high-paying opportunities.

You may also make a solid living in the transportation support industry, such as logistics and maintenance personnel.

The average salary in the transportation industry was found to be 32440 USD.

The highest compensation in the transportation industry was 122990 USD for air traffic controllers, while drivers and other rail and road transportation professionals earned around 65020 USD.

Numerous things determine the salary for transportation occupations.

The first element is the sort of transportation job you pick.

The following are some of the numerous roles available in the transportation industry in the United States:

Delivery Driver
Tanker Driver (Tanker Hauling)
Truck Driver
Bus Driver (Public transportation job)
Transportation Engineer
Ice road truck driving
Hazmat hauling
Oversized load hauling
Luxury car-hauling drivers
Owner operator jobs
Private fleet
Mining industry Truck drivers
Jobs in the logistics sector
Water Transportation sector jobs
Railroad transportation sector jobs
Air Transportation worker’s job and much more.

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Elements That Influence the Pay in Transportation

Other elements that influence the compensation you will receive from your transportation employment include:

#1. Type of Goods Loaded

The first aspect influencing transportation job remuneration is the type of products carried.

The wage scale varies depending on the bulkiness and significance of the products transported by truck or another vehicle driver.

For example, if a person transports oil on his vessel, he is more likely to profit due to the importance of the commodities and the amount of care he must exercise.

The demand for packing and related expenses can vary depending on the products carried, affecting your actual pay.

#2. Distance Traveled

The number of miles driven by the vehicle is the second most important criterion in determining remuneration in the transportation industry.

Of course, this criterion can vary because specific transportation drivers may be compensated based on the number of hours worked.

However, mileage counts in the amount you receive since the fuel expenses and related allowances are calculated depending on the miles traveled by your vehicle to move items from one location to another.

#3. Industry Experience and Certifications

Your experience and relevant qualifications are also essential factors in deciding your income in the transportation industry.

Your expertise in the transportation business has given you an excellent track record, and you can build on it.

#4. The Risk Taken

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In the transportation industry, you may be obliged to incur some risks to carry products.

For example, if you drive a truck across rugged terrains such as mountains or ice, you might earn more in this industry.

This is because your ability will determine if you can travel through challenging terrain and hazards.

How Much Does Transportation Jobs Pay?

The transportation industry is highly diverse, and the nature of the job and position primarily determines the average wage of employees in this sector in 2022.

Here are some transportation occupations and their pay rates!

Water Transportation Workers

Average Annual Salary: $62,760 (collegegrad)

Captains, mates, pilots, sailors, ship engineers, marine boilers, motorboat operators, and others operate in water transportation.

Position Description

Non-military vessels must be operated and maintained by employees. The work includes running and managing ships and ensuring passenger and cargo safety.

Employees may be assigned to big deep-sea container ships hauling manufactured products, bulk carriers transporting iron ore, coal, and other heavy commodities, and tankers transporting gasoline and other liquids.

Job Prerequisites

This employment does not need any formal education. However, most occupations require the Transportation Security Administration’s TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) and Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC), as well as any necessary approvals from the United States Coast Guard.

Railroad Workers

Average Annual Salary: $43,118 (ZipRecruiter)

Train drivers, those who operate control signals and switches, and people who coordinate training exercises are all examples of railroad personnel.

The vast majority of employees in this area work full-time.

Position Description

Railroad personnel is in charge of ensuring that passenger and freight trains run safely.

Job Prerequisites

To be a railroad worker, applicants must have high school graduation or its equivalent, as well as several months of on-the-job training.

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Tanker Drivers

Average Annual Salary: $79,023 (Indeed)

Position Description

Tanker drivers are employed to drive tanker trailers, deliver commodities, load and unload goods in the tanker, and keep track of driving hours and miles traveled.

Job Prerequisites

Applicants for this position must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Additionally, Working as a tanker driver can provide you with extra perks such as acquiring company shares at a reduced price (employee stock purchase plan), A&D insurance, and much more.

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Salaried Truck Drivers

Average Annual Salary: $58,181 (ZipRecruiter)

Job Objective:

With about 2 million roles, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are one of the most popular transportation vocations in the transportation sector.

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers make their living mostly by transporting commodities throughout the country.

Drivers are frequently hired on a full-time basis since they are constantly on the road for days or weeks at a time.

Job Prerequisites

A postsecondary non-degree award is required for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.

Most firms also demand drivers to have a high school diploma or its equivalent and to complete three to six months of training.

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Local Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs

Average Annual Salary: $37,672 (zippia)

Position Description

Local taxi drivers and chauffeurs move from one location to another, bringing passengers and products to other locations.

Flight Attendants

Average Annual Salary: $51,628 (glassdoor)

Position Description

Flight attendants attend to passengers aboard commercial aircraft.

Employees assist pilots with preflight briefings, conduct preflight checks of emergency equipment, maintain safety protocols on board aircraft, and care for passengers with special requirements.

Flight attendants may also be asked to soothe worried passengers, deliver and organize emergency medical treatment, and give guidance during an aircraft evacuation.

This position requires working erratic hours, including nights and weekends, and may need overnight stays in faraway places.

Job Prerequisites

Flight attendants must have a bachelor’s degree, a high school diploma, or the equivalent.

Commercial Pilots

Average Annual Salary: $99,640 (careerexplorer)

Position Description

Commercial airlines, private planes, air freight businesses, helicopters, and private enterprises employ commercial pilots.

Employees in this position endure erratic schedules and occasionally overnight layovers.

The pilot’s position will determine the salary level: lead pilot, copilot, or flight engineer.

Job Prerequisites

A bachelor’s degree in transportation, engineering, or business is required for commercial pilots.

Commercial pilots must also finish flight training with an independent FAA-certified flying instructor or school in addition to these educational requirements.

However, Pilots must also have military experience and complete on-the-job training as needed by government rules.

Air Traffic Controllers

Average Annual Salary: $42,388 (Indeed)

Position Description

Air traffic controllers are in charge of managing aircraft movements in airports and the sky above them.

The primary goal is to keep the acceptable spacing between vehicles to avoid crashes and other risks.

Control towers, route centers, and approach control facilities are where air traffic controllers must operate.

Employees must work at night and on weekends and are expected to rotate shifts.

Job Prerequisites

Applicants for this position must have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree from an accredited university and successfully complete tests and courses via the Federal Aviation Administration school.

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Delivery Drivers

Average Annual Salary: $38,785 (zippia)

Job Description

Transportation drivers are responsible for guaranteeing the safe delivery of items from the factory to the shop, controlling the loading and unloading of goods, and handling necessary papers for the goods to be delivered.

A delivery driver may be needed to commute in several vehicles.

Job Requirements

Applicants for this position must have a high school diploma or the equivalent.

Aside from the minimum wage, delivery drivers have additional bonuses and the option to make daily journeys from customers.

A delivery driver is projected to earn about $50 per day in bonuses.

Some major perks that delivery drivers may bring additional remuneration include scheduling flexibility, mileage reimbursements, health insurance, and so on.

Truck Driver

Position Description

Truck drivers are vital in moving commodities from one location to another and must travel significant distances to deliver cargo.

Job Prerequisites

Applicants for this position must have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Truck drivers earn around $66,995 per year. Location is also essential. Truck drivers’ wages might vary depending on where they work.

For example, a truck driver in Chicago might earn over $91,116 per year.

In addition, a truck driver in Dallas might earn $91,635 per year. Truck drivers in Atlanta make around $89,139 per year.

Conclusion

The transportation industry does pay handsomely. There are several employment opportunities in the transportation sector, including truck driving, taxi driving, logistics support industry, rail industry, aviation industry, and many more.

You now understand how much money you can make from working in the transportation business.

If you satisfy the qualifications, please apply for any of the abovementioned opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 5 Types of Transportation?

The different modes of transport are air, water, and land transport, which includes rails or railways, road, and off-road transport. Other modes also exist, including pipelines, cable, and space transport.

Why do we need transportation?

Transportation is needed because few economic resources—raw materials, fuels, food, manufactured goods—are located where they are wanted. Each region or place on Earth produces more than it consumes of some goods and services and less than it consumes of others.

Why is transportation important to society?

Transportation moves people and goods to different neighborhoods, cities, states, and countries, allowing people in those places to trade and do business together.

What is the highest-paying job in transportation?

The highest-paying transportation jobs are commercial pilots, with a median national salary of $130,440.

FAQs

What are the 5 types of transportation?

Why do we need transportation?

Transportation is needed because few economic resources—raw materials, fuels, food, manufactured goods—are located where they are wanted. Each region or place on Earth produces more than it consumes of some goods and services and less than it consumes of others.

Why is transportation important to society?

Transportation moves people and goods to different neighborhoods, cities, states, and countries, allowing people in those places to trade and do business together.