Is Transportation Services A Good Career Path In 2023?

The need for workers in this industry grows along with the demand for these services. Different employment positions in this sector have different skill requirements and pay ranges. So, is a career in transportation services a good choice? Sure, it is.

Is Transportation Services a Good Career Path

The continued growth of the industry and the demand for workers make transportation services a very good career choice. The opportunities make it possible to live comfortably thanks to livable wages and good benefits in the majority of positions.

Many job seekers find this industry to be a good option because it offers a wide range of career types for everyone, from office workers to blue-collar workers.

What Do Transportation Jobs Pay?

Truck drivers make, on average, $62,171 per year across the country. Truck driving is expected to grow at a 2% annual rate between 2019 and 2029. This rate of growth is lower than the overall average for occupations. (The US Bureau of Labor Statistics provided the estimates for all of the data in this section in May 2021.)

Construction workers make an average salary of $73,544 annually, and they frequently work on projects such as building tunnels, subways, and other transportation infrastructure. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the demand for construction laborers will increase by 5% between 2019 and 2029.

Taxi drivers make, on average, $25,717 annually. Taxi drivers are anticipated to grow by 20% between 2018 and 2028, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

A chauffeur makes $51,919 on average yearly. From 2018 to 2028, the expected growth rate for chauffeurs is 20%. During the same time period, the growth rate for drivers for ride-sharing services was 37%. This rapid growth rate is attributed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to an uptick in personal driving demand.

The average yearly salary for diesel engine mechanics is $50,373. Vehicles with diesel engines are inspected and repaired by diesel engine mechanics. From 2019 to 2029, this occupation is expected to experience a 3% increase in employment.

A material handler makes, on average, $29,120 per year. A material handler uses forklifts to load or unload shipments of goods and works with stock and freight. From 2019 to 2029, material handler employment is expected to grow by 3%. Comparable to the national average, this.

Bus drivers make $37,515 on average yearly across the country. From 2018 to 2028, there will be a 5% growth in the number of bus drivers. Comparable to the national average, this.

Average annual pay for flight attendants is $33,781. From 2019 to 2029, flight attendant employment is expected to grow at a rate of 17%. The projected growth rates for other occupations are much lower than this.

Highway maintenance workers earn an average yearly salary of $42,762 in the United States. Workers who maintain highways, airport runways, and other roads keep them in good condition. From 2019 to 2029, there will be a 5% increase in the number of highway maintenance jobs. In comparison to average, this is higher.

A logistics associate makes an average yearly salary of $44,355 in the country. In order to find ways to improve efficiency, a logistics associate must organize and analyze supply chains for businesses. From 2019 to 2029, logistics associate employment is expected to grow at a 4% annual rate.

Operations research analysts, also known as logistics analysts, make an average salary of $63,581 annually. Supply chain analysis by logisticians leads to the development of more effective strategies. Between 2019 and 2029, the occupation of operations research analyst will grow by 25%. Because there is more demand for increased efficiency and lower costs, this growth rate is significantly higher than the average for all occupations.

What Are the Best Paying Jobs in Transportation?

Pilots of commercial aircraft make an average of $130,440 annually in the United States. From 2020 to 2030, this occupation is expected to grow at a 13% annual rate. This is better than average. At the moment, this industry employs 113,900 people. A bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or transportation is typically needed for this position. Additionally, candidates must complete flight training with a flight school or independent instructor who has earned certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

An increasing number of Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age, the military is producing fewer candidates due to the increased use of unmanned drones, and many pilots are retiring early as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. These factors combined with the shortage of airline pilots have led to the current airline pilot shortage. As airlines raise their pay in an effort to attract pilots, this may be advantageous for aspiring pilots. However, the cost of becoming a pilot can reach $100,000, and certification requires 1,500 flight hours.

The average yearly salary for air traffic controllers is $130,420. Typically, an Associate’s degree and FAA training are all that are needed for this job. In the United States, there are currently 24,500 positions for air traffic controllers., with the job growth rate for 2020 to 2030 at a below-average 4 percent. One cause of the current air traffic controller shortage is the onboarding process: applicants are sent to the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center “Academy” in Before being sent to the facilities where there is a need for staff, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is essentially weeded out.

The final destination of potential air traffic controllers is often out of their control; they are frequently uprooted from their homes and families, and they can only transfer after completing three years of training. Throughout the lengthy, years-long training process, many leave. Since Ronald Reagan fired 11,345 air traffic controllers who went on strike in 1981, there has been a staffing shortage.

Additionally, there is a lot of stress in air traffic control. Workers are required to retire by age 56 due to the stress of the job and the demands it places on their cognitive and reflex abilities. Another factor contributing to the staffing shortage is this. To combat the shortage, the FAA does, however, circumvent the age restriction, which reduces everyone’s safety when they travel by air.

While air traffic control pays well, there are drawbacks such as the possibility of being separated from your family, physical and mental stress, and other unfavorable working conditions that are both inherent to the job and as a result of the weak labor union at present (the old union was disbanded when Reagan broke the 1981 strike). The average yearly pay for an air traffic controller is $138,556, but they frequently make much less than that, as little as $63,000 at a subpar facility, and they have no say in where they are assigned to work.

The median annual wage for railroad workers is $64,210. For the years between 2020 and 2030, a projected 5% growth in employment is expected; this is below average. At the moment, this industry employs 74,600 people. High school diploma and on-the-job training are prerequisites.

The median annual salary for those working in the water transportation industry is $59,250. Operators of non-military ships, such as deep-sea container ships, fuel tankers, or bulk containers transporting coal or iron ore, are known as water transportation workers. There are 66,600 jobs in this field right now, and the occupation is expected to grow at an above-average rate of 12 percent between the years 2020 and 2030. The Transportation Security Administration’s Transportation Worker Identification Credential and the United States Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credential are frequently needed for jobs involving water transportation, which do not require a formal education. Coast Guard.

What Qualifications Are Needed to Work in Delivery Services?

Depending on the type of job, different qualifications are required. A high school diploma is all that is needed for some jobs, but others also require an air cargo transportation certificate. Certain higher-level positions in the workforce might require a college degree, like one in logistics.

To fulfill the demands of the job, some air freight delivery positions necessitate physical stamina and strength. Those who can operate machines, such as a pallet jack, are needed for other jobs. Competencies that apply to all industry positions include demonstrating a strong understanding of safety and time management.

What Are Some Types of Delivery Service Careers?

There are entry-level and professional positions available in delivery services. Here are a few of the top positions in the field that are well worth looking at.

Freight Handler

Both incoming and outgoing freight are handled by freight handlers. The movement of goods, keeping records, and monitoring safety regulations are among the main duties. Freight handlers typically work with machinery, so driving and operating vehicles like forklifts frequently requires a license. The role places a high priority on organization, communication, and fundamental computer skills.

• Average Annual Salary: $47,470
• Estimated Hourly Rate: $18.67 per hour
• Core Competencies Required: Organization, communication, attention-to-detail, health and safety compliance, and IT literacy

Freight Forwarder

Freight forwarders oversee the entire transportation process from beginning to end. The job description usually consists of:

• Communicating and organizing suitable arrangements with the relevant parties
• Negotiating pricing
• Coordinating transit and attaining insurance coverage
• Preparation of documentation
• Readying warehousing facilities
• Managing records through IT systems

Typically, only a high school diploma is required for employment as a freight forwarder. But some do have higher degrees, and because of their education, these workers might have more duties at work.

• Annual Salary Range: $43,042 to $77,059
• Estimated Hourly Rate: $21 to $37
• Core Competencies Required: Communication, negotiation, organization, bookkeeping and IT literacy

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

An aircraft cargo handling supervisor may also be known as an “aircraft loadmaster.” This person is in charge of managing staffing requirements, security measures, and shipment loading and unloading. They frequently assist in managing emergencies and serve as a part of the in-flight crew of the aircraft to monitor cargo.

• Annual Salary Range: $38,830 to $82,450
• Estimated Median Hourly Rate: $25.74
• Core Competencies Required: High level communication skills, ability to analyze and resolve discrepancies, strong care for detail and computer skills — specifically with data entry and processing

Freight Broker

In order to reduce costs and increase sales while upholding all necessary standards, a freight broker identifies and secures freight solutions. They serve as a go-between for coordinating loading and drop-offs and keep track of the progress of every order they place. Order tracking is crucial, and in order to recognize and seize the best deals, freight brokers must stay current with market trends.

• Annual Salary Range: $30,020 to $69,450
• Estimated Hourly Rate: $37.18
• Core Competencies Required: Negotiation, sales, accounting, strong attention to detail, communication and IT literacy

Freight Logistics Operations Manager

A freight logistics operations manager will collaborate with staff and other parties to manage warehouse facilities, including scheduling drivers for goods transportation and making sure everyone is carrying out their duties in accordance with standards. Although the warehousing team is very helpful in this role, it is the responsibility of the freight operations manager to ensure that processes are efficient and errors are prevented through people management.

• Annual Salary Range: $64,202 to $77,928
• Estimated Hourly Rate: $31 to $37
• Core Competencies Required: People management, leadership, compliance, customer relationship management and organization

Freight Agent

Coordination of imports and exports between airlines and terminals falls under the purview of an air freight agent. They keep track of all incoming deliveries and route shipments while doing so. When dealing with clients and negotiating financial rates, excellent oral and customer service skills are essential. College degrees and certifications in health and safety are advantageous for the position.

• Annual Salary Range: $36,317 to $49,594
• Estimated Hourly Rate: $17 to $24
• Core Competencies Required: Attention-to-detail, organization, negotiation and communication

Final Take

In terms of building a long-term career, air freight delivery services can be a fantastic sector to work in. It’s a great opportunity for someone interested in the business and transportation sectors because of the high earning potential as employees advance and gain experience.

Anyone interested in pursuing one of the aforementioned roles can look online for opportunities and training. A great way to increase your chances of getting a job is to update your resume, write a cover letter, and work on your interview techniques.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about careers in air freight and delivery services.