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Workers in these occupations move people and goods.

Overall employment in transportation and material moving occupations is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 861,800 new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. More than 1.9 million openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs.

The median annual wage for this group was $36,860 in May 2021, which was lower than the median annual wage for all occupations of $45,760.

BLS employment projections, wage, and other data for related occupations not shown in the following table are available on the Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail page. Information highlighting physical demands, cognitive and mental requirements, and other qualifications for workers in this group are available in a BLS Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) profile.

  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: Thursday, September 8, 2022