Transportation Industry Career Guide

The trucking industry is the highest growth transportation sector.

As the population increases and more products are transported, the transportation industry is expected to experience growth. According to the Department of Labor, the highest job growth is projected to be in the trucking industry--1.1 million jobs between 2004 and 2014.

Trucking

Trucking jobs are 44 percent truck drivers; the remainder are in warehousing, office or truck repair positions. Truck drivers work long and irregular hours and often suffer from fatigue. Careers in the trucking industry are expected to increase by 11 percent between 2008 and 2018. As of May 2008, salaries ranged from $17.99 hourly for truck drivers to $11.09 for packers, says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Air

Air transportation jobs are 36 percent flight crew positions, and the remainder are on-the-ground positions such as plane maintenance, baggage handlers, ticket agents or administration. Air transportation workers tend to work long and irregular hours. Although the airline industry has experienced contraction, employment with the regional airlines and air cargo carriers is expected to grow by seven percent from 2008 to 2018. In May 2008, salaries ranged from $28,600 annually for a customer service representative to $114,400 for senior pilots, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Water, Ground and Transit

Other transportation careers include captains, mates and pilots of water vessels and transit and ground transportation careers such as bus and other mass transit drivers and taxi drivers, and the office administration to support these industries.

References

• United States Department of Labor: High Growth Industry Profile - Transportation
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Water Transportation Occupations
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Air Transportation
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Truck Transportation and Warehousing
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Transit and Ground Passenger Transportation