Transportation and Distribution
Do you like logistics? Do you like planning and coordinating the delivery of goods, on time and on budget? A career in transportation might be the right move for you.
Career Pathways
Transportation has six career pathways:
- Facility and Mobile Equipment: Individuals who maintain vehicles, planes, trains and ships that carry people or freight.
- Health, Safety and Environmental Management: Individuals who identify ways to make transportation safe for people and the environment.
- Logistics Planning and Management Services: Individuals who plan the smartest way to move people and goods.
- Sales and Service: Individuals who sell transportation services to individuals or companies.
- Transportation Operations: Individuals who are responsible for moving people and goods, such as bus drivers and pilots.
- Transportation Systems/Infrastructure Planning, Management and Regulation: Individuals who design transportation systems to meet the needs of the community.
Meta-Major: Industry, Manufacturing and Construction
Are you interested in a career in transportation but not sure what you want to do? Check out the industry, manufacturing and construction meta-major at your local state college, which can get you started on the path to a career in transportation. A meta-major is a collection of associate degree programs aligned to a general career area, such as transportation. Because all programs under the meta-major have common courses, you can pursue a relevant course of study before deciding on a specific degree program.
Education-Career-Income Connection
Transportation offers a range of careers, most of which require some form of education or training after high school.
| Training or Certificate | Associate's or Bachelor's Degree | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambulance Driver | $25,750 | Logistics Engineer | $74,600 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $43,210 | Logistician | $65,440 |
| Heavy and Tractor Trailer Truck Drivers | $43,680 | Air Traffic Controller | $124,540 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics | $47,350 | Airline Pilot | $140,340 |
| Railroad Conductor | $62,930 | ||
| Commercial Pilots | $82,240 | ||