What are the Highest Paying Transportation Jobs?
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Whenever you think of transportation jobs, the typical taxi driver, bus driver, or truck driver comes to mind. Transportation careers can include any form of labor that carries passengers or cargo from one destination to another. The passengers/cargo are transported by planes, railroads, buses, boats, or other kinds of private and public transportation.
Types of Transportation Jobs
According to Jotscroll, the five common modes of transportation include road transportation, railroad transportation, water transportation, air transportation, and pipeline transportation.
The transportation industry provides a variety of transportation jobs such as material movers, sailors, pilots, marine operators, train operators, route driver, traffic supervisor, transportation director, and truck driver. The Best Schools states that more than eight million Americans have transportation jobs and over three million truck drivers carry products nationwide.
Highest Paying Transportation Jobs
The employment rate in the transportation industry continues to rise now more than ever. According to Career Builder, the employment rate in the transportation and warehouse division grew to 99,000 jobs in June 2020. The transportation jobs in trucking, logistics, and warehouse are very receptive to new applicants and some only require a high school degree, special license/certifications and they offer advancement and increased salaries.
With that being said, here is a quick rundown of some of the highest paying salaries within the transportation industry:
Commercial Pilots – Rather than having to transport people and cargo from one place to another, commercial pilots usually work on charter flights, rescue operations, firefighting, and aerial photography. The national annual pay for this position averages to about $95,000 and the average hourly wage is $50 per hour. The requirements needed for this job are a high school diploma and a commercial license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Engineers – The role of an engineer involves researching, designing, creating, maintaining, and testing the performance of maintaining engines, deck machinery and refrigeration equipment. The national median average for this position is $93,000 annually and the average hourly wage is $45 per hour. The completion of a degree in engineering is required for this position.
Logistics Engineer – This position requires you to apply your knowledge of logistics engineering in a managed team environment. As a logistics engineer, you will be interacting with managers, engineering staff members, and customers. You will also need to work independently and in a small team environment.
The average annual salary for this position is $76,500 and the average hourly wage is $27 per hour. For this role, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a technical discipline is required. If you have 3-5 years of practical experience in logistics engineering, it may be considered instead of obtaining a degree.
Bus Drivers – This job position involves transporting people from one location to another location. The national median average for this position is $59,500 annually and the average hourly wage is $21 per hour. For this job, you will need to obtain a commercial driver’s license and on-the-job training.
Delivery Driver – In this role, you will be delivering about 200-250 packages every day in a company branded vehicle. Packages include critical supplies, household goods, toys, and so much more. The average annual salary for this position is $64,500 and the average hourly wage is $28 per hour.
The requirements include having a valid driver’s license, a CDL (in some cases), being familiar with navigation systems, time management, and the knowledge of how to handle materials like food or chemicals safely.
Dump Truck Drivers – The tasks of this job include collecting and dumping waste/recyclables into a truck or hauling and delivering materials such as rock and sand. The national median pay averages to about $56,500 annually and the average hourly wage is $19 per hour. This job position requires on-the-job training and a possible CDL.
Operators – This transportation job requires you to operate mechanical, tower or cable equipment to move materials, machines, and products to different places. The national median pay averages to about $63,500 annually and the average hourly wage is $22 per hour. You must complete vocational school and obtain an Associate degree and/or related on-the-job experience.
Dispatcher – The roles of a dispatcher include communicating information and coordinating the transportation of goods with the personnel carrying out the service. Dispatchers use computer systems to track delivery trucks to make sure that the goods have arrived on-time and undamaged. The national average pay is $57,000 annually and the average hourly wage is $32 per hour. A high school diploma is required for this position as well as a valid driver’s license.
Courier – This is when a company or a company employee transports commercial packages and documents by walking or driving. The average annual salary for this position is $56,000 and the average hourly wage is $14 per hour. The best part about this position is that a car or experience is not required but you must be at least 21 or older.
Shipping Loaders – The job role includes using material moving equipment to load and unload materials into and from tank cars, trucks, or ships. The national median average for this position is $69,000 annually and the average hourly wage is $46 per hour.
A high school diploma is required for this position along with on-the-job training and/or completion of a recognized apprenticeship program.
Truck Drivers – These workers are responsible for transporting goods from one location to another. The national median average for this position is $63,000 annually and the average hourly wage is $21 per hour.
A high school diploma, a CDL, and the completion of a professional driving school is required.
Where Can I Find Transportation Jobs?
The easiest and quickest way to find high paying transportation and logistics jobs is to partner with Empire Workforce Solutions. When you visit our website, you’ll find a wide range of warehousing and logistics jobs such as General Labor, Shipping Specialist, Equipment Operator, Packer, Loader/Unloader, and Machine Operator. You will also find over 100 driving job openings in the Pennsylvania, Maine, New Jersey, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, South Dakota, Montana, Florida and California areas; with more locations coming weekly.
Our team of highly skilled experts will help you find the right transportation job that meets your vocational skills. We also provide coaching, planning, and training services to help you develop your career goals. Contact us today to get started!
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