What Does it Take to Be a Transportation Manager?
Occupation Description Plan, direct, or coordinate the transportation operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that provide transportation services.
Life As a Transportation Manager: What Do They Do?
- Evaluate transportation vehicles or auxiliary equipment for purchase by considering factors such as fuel economy or aerodynamics.
- Direct investigations to verify and resolve customer or shipper complaints.
- Direct or coordinate the activities of operations department to obtain use of equipment, facilities, or human resources.
- Supervise clerks assigning tariff classifications or preparing billing.
- Implement schedule or policy changes for transportation services.
- Direct staff performing repairs and maintenance to equipment, vehicles, or facilities.
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Transportation Manager Needed Skills
When polled, Transportation Managers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Transportation Manager
- Station Supervisor
- Traffic Safety Administrator
- Wharfmaster
- Transportation Program Director
- Fleet Manager
Is There Going to be Demand for Transportation Managers?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 115,500 jobs in the United States for Transportation Manager. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 7,800 new jobs for Transportation Manager by 2026. There will be an estimated 9,700 positions for Transportation Manager per year.

The states with the most job growth for Transportation Manager are Utah, Nevada, and South Carolina. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or District of Columbia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Transportation Manager
The average yearly salary of a Transportation Manager ranges between $56,050 and $158,370.

Transportation Managers who work in District of Columbia, Delaware, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Transportation Managers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $88,330 |
Alaska | $95,160 |
Arizona | $84,730 |
Arkansas | $110,300 |
California | $107,550 |
Colorado | $118,580 |
Connecticut | $116,730 |
Delaware | $132,320 |
District of Columbia | $141,040 |
Florida | $93,720 |
Georgia | $108,990 |
Hawaii | $91,630 |
Idaho | $78,130 |
Illinois | $98,210 |
Indiana | $95,120 |
Iowa | $84,960 |
Kansas | $103,660 |
Kentucky | $90,500 |
Louisiana | $86,750 |
Maine | $79,140 |
Maryland | $106,270 |
Massachusetts | $109,840 |
Michigan | $109,240 |
Minnesota | $102,500 |
Mississippi | $87,910 |
Missouri | $98,730 |
Montana | $89,920 |
Nebraska | $98,250 |
Nevada | $94,750 |
New Hampshire | $115,970 |
New Jersey | $124,130 |
New Mexico | $92,540 |
New York | $120,350 |
North Carolina | $107,080 |
North Dakota | $97,720 |
Ohio | $99,570 |
Oklahoma | $80,210 |
Oregon | $89,070 |
Pennsylvania | $112,170 |
Rhode Island | $127,240 |
South Carolina | $94,240 |
South Dakota | $95,330 |
Tennessee | $85,760 |
Texas | $105,320 |
Utah | $82,110 |
Vermont | $91,850 |
Virginia | $105,600 |
Washington | $116,690 |
West Virginia | $83,080 |
Wisconsin | $98,520 |
Wyoming | $91,070 |
What Tools do Transportation Managers Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Transportation Managers:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Visio
- Structured query language SQL
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Graphics software
- Bentley MicroStation
- IBM Power Systems software
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- IBM Lotus Notes
- WorkForce Software EmpCenter Time and Attendance
- Integrated Decision Support Netwise Enterprise
- ALK Technologies PC*Miler
Becoming a Transportation Manager
Individuals working as a Transportation Manager have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Transportation Managers?

Transportation Managers work in the following industries:

Similar Careers
Career changers with experience as a Transportation Manager sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Mike Moore via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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