Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
.jpg)
Transportation Managers
Transportation Managers plan, direct, or coordinate the transportation operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that provide transportation services.
Table of contents
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
Is this job meaningful
70% said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they found their job meaningful.
I’m a Freight Manager/Sales Coordinator. My Typical Day As a sales coordinator, your job is like a puzzle master- in other words, you have a list of trucks that will empty every day in your sales area and your responsibility is to book a load for every one of those trucks. The key is to … Read More
Each day I begin by checking my inbox. Sorting emails and taking actions accordingly based on the urgency of the matters. Working in the logistics industry requires good judgment on what to prioritize as well as acting quickly to resolve outstanding issues. Customer service and retention is a daily task. This includes providing customer competitive … Read More
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
.jpg)
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management
Transportation/Mobility Management
Business/Commerce
Business Administration and Management
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology
Aviation/Airway Management and Operations
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies
Public Administration
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don’t know which career to pursue?
Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.
Take The Career Quiz