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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 ![]() |
2021 MEDIAN PAY ![]() |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
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Airline and Commercial Pilots |
Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. |
See How to Become One | $134,630 |
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Air Traffic Controllers |
Air traffic controllers coordinate the movement of aircraft to maintain safe distances between them. |
Associate's degree | $129,750 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Hand Laborers and Material Movers |
Hand laborers and material movers manually move freight, stock, or other materials. |
See How to Become One | $30,320 |
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Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers |
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $48,310 |
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Material Moving Machine Operators |
Material moving machine operators use equipment to transport objects. |
See How to Become One | $38,380 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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