What Does A Transportation Manager Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Transportation Managers

Transportation Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the transportation operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that provide transportation services.

Salary
$105100
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Transportation Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the transportation operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that provide transportation services.

  • Plan, organize or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
  • Direct activities related to dispatching, routing or tracking transportation vehicles, such as aircraft or railroad cars.
  • Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
  • Serve as contact persons for all workers within assigned territories.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Transportation Managers supervise clerks assigning tariff classifications or preparing billing. They direct central load control centers to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of transportation services.

A typical day for a Transportation Manager will also include:

  • Plan, organize or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
  • Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
  • Direct or coordinate the activities of the operations department to obtain use of equipment, facilities, or human resources.
  • Serve as contact persons for all workers within assigned territories.
  • Direct activities related to dispatching, routing or tracking transportation vehicles, such as aircraft or railroad cars.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Transportation Managers also analyze expenditures and other financial information to develop plans, policies, or budgets for increasing profits or improving services. They may also direct investigations to verify and resolve customer or shipper complaints.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Transportation Managers provide administrative or technical assistance to those receiving transportation-related grants. They might also develop or implement plans to improve transportation services control from regional to national or global load control center operations.

In addition, they promote safe work activities by conducting safety audits, attending company safety meetings, or meeting with individual staff members.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them direct staff performing repairs and maintenance to equipment, vehicles, or facilities.

To some Transportation Managers, it is also their responsibility to collaborate with other managers or staff members to formulate and implement policies, procedures, goals, or objectives.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

High

Is this job meaningful

Average

70% said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they found their job meaningful.


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Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$105100 per year

Average hourly wage

$51 per hour

Entry-level Transportation Managers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $56,970 to $73,700 per year or $27 to $35 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $164,140 $79
Senior (Top 25%) $126,560 $61
Median $96,390 $46
Junior (Bottom 25%) $73,700 $35
No experience (Bottom 10%) $56,970 $27

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Transportation Managers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing $178780 $85.95
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations $151310 $72.74
Telecommunications $150240 $72.23
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities $145930 $70.16
Scientific Research and Development Services $143460 $68.97
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities $139190 $66.92
Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services $139090 $66.87
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $137950 $66.32
Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing $137720 $66.21
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing $136610 $65.68

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Transportation Managers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Transportation Managers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Warehousing and Storage 13730 $97720 $46.98
Truck Transportation 11140 $98080 $47.15
Management of Companies and Enterprises 8730 $132660 $63.78
Federal Executive Branch 6880 $107510 $51.69
Local Government 5430 $111300 $53.51
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 5090 $101590 $48.84
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 4930 $98490 $47.35
Freight Transportation Arrangement 4920 $96540 $46.41
Couriers and Express Delivery Services 4450 $108360 $52.10
Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing 2780 $81380 $39.12

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
11%

More than 40 hours
89%

Working schedule

64%

36%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
2%

Every day
98%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
14%

Once a year
26%

Once a month
56%

Once a week
4%

Every day
0%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
25%

Slightly competitive
4%

Moderately competitive
19%

Highly competitive
15%

Extremely competitive
36%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
4%

Once a year or more
0%

Once a month or more
0%

Once a week or more
2%

Every day
94%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
20%

Once a year or more
31%

Once a month or more
5%

Once a week or more
32%

Every day
12%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
7%

Once a year or more
20%

Once a month or more
29%

Once a week or more
37%

Every day
7%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
49%

Once a year or more
13%

Once a month or more
27%

Once a week or more
6%

Every day
5%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
34%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
1%

Associate’s Degree or similar
24%

Bachelor’s Degree
41%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management

A program that prepares individuals to manage and coordinate all logistical functions in an enterprise, ranging from acquisitions to receiving and handling, through internal allocation of resources to operations units, to the handling and delivery of output. Includes instruction in acquisitions and purchasing, inventory control, storage and handling, just-in-time manufacturing, logistics planning, shipping and delivery management, transportation, quality control, resource estimation and allocation, and budgeting.

Transportation/Mobility Management

A program that focuses on the theory, policy, law, and practices required to administrate and operate public transportation facilities, networks, services, and systems. Includes instruction in demand analysis and forecasting, environmental planning, facilities design and construction, geographic information systems (GIS), logistics, multi- and intermodal transportation systems, project management, public administration, public policy, transportation economics, transportation law, transportation operations, transportation systems, and transportation technologies.

Business/Commerce

A program that focuses on the general study of business, including the processes of interchanging goods and services (buying, selling and producing), business organization, and accounting as used in profit-making and nonprofit public and private institutions and agencies. The programs may prepare individuals to apply business principles and techniques in various occupational settings.


Business Administration and Management

A program that generally prepares individuals to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. Includes instruction in management theory, human resources management and behavior, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.

Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology

A program that focuses on the general study of aviation and the aviation industry, including in-flight and ground support operations. Includes instruction in the technical, business, and general aspects of air transportation systems.

Aviation/Airway Management and Operations

A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to the management of aviation industry operations and services. Includes instruction in airport operations, ground traffic direction, ground support and flightline operations, passenger and cargo operations, flight safety and security operations, aviation industry regulation, and related business aspects of managing aviation enterprises.


Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies

A program that focuses on the economic, social, spatial, and environmental aspects of transportation and infrastructure planning. Includes instruction in economics, environmental analysis, geographic information systems (GIS), logistics, risk analysis, transportation economics, transportation evaluation, transportation planning, transportation policy, and urban transportation planning.

Public Administration

A program that prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state, and federal government and that focuses on the systematic study of executive organization and management. Includes instruction in the roles, development, and principles of public administration; the management of public policy; executive-legislative relations; public budgetary processes and financial management; administrative law; public personnel management; professional ethics; and research methods.

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
6%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
8%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
6%

1 to 2 years
7%

2 to 4 years
27%

4 to 6 years
25%

6 to 8 years
13%

8 to 10 years
4%

Over 10 years
6%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
10%

1 month
14%

1 to 3 months
32%

3 to 6 months
22%

6 months to 1 year
9%

1 to 2 years
6%

2 to 4 years
5%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
2%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
38%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
29%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
24%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
29%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
100%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
76%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
71%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
86%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
62%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
86%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
71%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
76%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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