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Employment in transportation and material moving occupations is projected to grow 9 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations, and add about 1.1 million jobs. Material moving workers are expected to be needed to move materials in nearly all sectors of the economy. Additionally, the economy depends on truck drivers to transport freight and keep supply chains moving.

The median annual wage for transportation and material moving occupations was $36,860 in May 2021, below the median for all occupations of $45,760.

BLS provides summary data, including employment projections, for transportation and material moving occupations not shown in the table on this page. That information is available on the Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail page.

  OCCUPATION JOB SUMMARY ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION Help 2021 MEDIAN PAY Help
Airline and commercial pilots Airline and Commercial Pilots

Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft.

 See How to Become One $134,630
Air traffic controllers Air Traffic Controllers

Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to maintain safe distances between them.

 Associate's degree $129,750
Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers

Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers pick up, transport, and drop off packages and small shipments within a local region or urban area.

 High school diploma or equivalent $36,660
Flight attendants Flight Attendants

Flight attendants provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers.

 High school diploma or equivalent $61,640
Laborers and material movers Hand Laborers and Material Movers

Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials.

 See How to Become One $30,320
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers

Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another.

 Postsecondary nondegree award $48,310
Material moving machine operators Material Moving Machine Operators

Material moving machine operators use equipment to transport objects.

 See How to Become One $38,380
Bus drivers Passenger Vehicle Drivers

Passenger vehicle drivers operate buses, taxis, and other modes of transportation to take people from place to place.

 See How to Become One $37,540
Train engineers and operators Railroad Workers

Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains operate safely. They may drive trains, coordinate the activities of the trains, or control signals and switches in the rail yard.

 High school diploma or equivalent $64,150
Water transportation occupations Water Transportation Workers

Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water.

 See How to Become One $62,760

Last Modified Date: Monday, April 18, 2022