Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
5 years or more
None
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers oversee operations that move and store goods. This role offers a strong combination of established employment and forward-looking opportunity. Nationally, about 217,000 people work in this occupation, with projected employment growth of 6.1% and an estimated 18,000 annual openings, suggesting ongoing demand for experienced managers. Typical entry into the field is based on a high school diploma or equivalent, paired with strong skills in project management, leadership, and problem solving. The career also relies on customer service, communication, and analytical thinking, which can make it appealing to people who enjoy coordinating teams and processes. Strong salaries, including a national median annual wage of $102,010 and significantly higher pay in some states and metro areas, support long-term earning potential. For students, job seekers, and career changers who bring both organizational and people skills, this occupation can provide a structured path into management with room to grow across locations and sectors.
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers earn a national median annual salary of $102,010, with higher pay in several states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $123,780 in California and $123,830 in Massachusetts up to $136,500 in Washington. New York offers $127,180, and Colorado comes in at $132,610, showing strong earning potential across different regions. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, has a median salary of $177,400, the highest among the listed metros. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, follows at $145,170, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, offers $133,640. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, provide median salaries near $129,000. Overall, salaries in this field can vary widely by location, but many regions show substantial earning potential.
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers have a sizable national employment base of 217,000, indicating that this is a well-established management field. Projected employment growth of 6.1% suggests that the number of positions is expected to increase over time. Additionally, there are an estimated 18,000 annual openings, reflecting ongoing hiring needs that can come from both growth and turnover. This combination of current employment, projected growth, and consistent openings indicates that people entering or advancing in this occupation may encounter a variety of opportunities. Growth projections are consistent across the highlighted states and metro areas, each showing a 6.1% rate. That alignment means prospective managers can look nationwide and in key metros while planning for similar growth expectations. For students and career changers, these figures can support planning for a long-term career path with sustained demand.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for transportation, storage, and distribution managers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington all rank highly by CareerGPS opportunity score, combining salary, employment, and growth. California and New York stand out for larger employment levels—30,540 and 6,740 respectively—alongside strong median pay above $123,000. Washington and Colorado offer even higher median salaries, at $136,500 and $132,610, though with smaller employment bases. Massachusetts offers a blend of a $123,830 median salary and 4,310 employed. Top metro areas show even more concentrated opportunity. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, have the highest opportunity scores, with median salaries of $177,400 and $133,640. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, also provides high pay at $145,170. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH, round out the top metros with strong salaries and notable employment levels, giving candidates multiple high-opportunity urban options.
The typical education requirement for transportation, storage, and distribution managers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the role accessible to people who may not have a college degree but can demonstrate strong competencies in key areas. Core skills associated with this occupation include project management and leadership, which support planning and directing complex operations. Problem solving and decision making, combined with critical and analytical thinking and mathematics, are important for handling operational challenges. Communication skills—speaking, listening, writing, and reading—help managers coordinate with teams, customers, and other stakeholders. Adaptability and creativity and innovation can support continuous improvement, while customer service skills are valuable for maintaining strong relationships. Together, these skills suggest that success in this career depends heavily on both analytical and interpersonal strengths, offering multiple ways for individuals with diverse backgrounds to qualify and progress over time.
Use CareerGPS Pro to compare markets, understand the tradeoffs, and focus on the places with the strongest potential.
