About The Industry
Would you like to fly planes, drive trucks, or pilot ships? Would you enjoy planning roads or power systems? This industry includes careers in planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air; rail, and water as well as related professional and technical-support services, such as transportation-infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment, and facility maintenance. Careers in the transportation, logistics & distribution industry involve moving people and products from one place to another. Most of the occupations in this industry typically require a high school diploma or equivalent for entry. However, specific designations range from less than a high school diploma and short-term on-the-job training for occupations such as taxi drivers and chauffeurs to a bachelor’s degree, less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation, and moderate-term on-the-job training for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers.
We Found 70 Careers!
Transportation Managers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Plan, direct, or coordinate the transportation operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that provide transportation services.
Storage and Distribution Managers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Plan, direct, or coordinate the storage or distribution operations within an organization or the activities of organizations that are engaged in storing or distributing materials or products.
Logistics Managers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Plan, direct, or coordinate purchasing, warehousing, distribution, forecasting, customer service, or planning services. Manage logistics personnel and logistics systems and direct daily operations.
Logisticians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Analyze and coordinate the logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.
Logistics Engineers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Design or analyze operational solutions for projects such as transportation optimization, network modeling, process and methods analysis, cost containment, capacity enhancement, routing and shipment optimization, or information management.
Logistics Analysts
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Analyze product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes. May manage route activity including invoicing, electronic bills, and shipment tracing.
Statement Clerks
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Prepare and distribute bank statements to customers, answer inquiries, and reconcile discrepancies in records and accounts.
Billing, Cost, and Rate Clerks
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Compile data, compute fees and charges, and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of computer or typewriter, calculator, and adding and bookkeeping machines.
Cargo and Freight Agents
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals, and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs.
Freight Forwarders
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation.
Couriers and Messengers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Pick up and deliver messages, documents, packages, and other items between offices or departments within an establishment or directly to other business concerns, traveling by foot, bicycle, motorcycle, automobile, or public conveyance.
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.
Avionics Technicians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Install, inspect, test, adjust, or repair avionics equipment, such as radar, radio, navigation, and missile control systems in aircraft or space vehicles.
Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Install, adjust, or maintain mobile electronics communication equipment, including sound, sonar, security, navigation, and surveillance systems on trains, watercraft, or other mobile equipment.
Electronic Equipment Installers and Repairers, Motor Vehicles
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Install, diagnose, or repair communications, sound, security, or navigation equipment in motor vehicles.
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul aircraft engines and assemblies, such as hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Includes helicopter and aircraft engine specialists.
Automotive Body and Related Repairers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Repair and refinish automotive vehicle bodies and straighten vehicle frames.
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Replace or repair broken windshields and window glass in motor vehicles.
Automotive Master Mechanics
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Repair automobiles, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. Master mechanics repair virtually any part on the vehicle or specialize in the transmission system.
Automotive Specialty Technicians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Repair only one system or component on a vehicle, such as brakes, suspension, or radiator.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines.
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and surface mining.
Rail Car Repairers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Repair and adjust electrical and mechanical equipment of inboard or inboard-outboard boat engines.
Motorcycle Mechanics
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, or similar motorized vehicles.
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Diagnose, inspect, adjust, repair, or overhaul recreational vehicles including travel trailers. May specialize in maintaining gas, electrical, hydraulic, plumbing, or chassis/towing systems as well as repairing generators, appliances, and interior components. Includes workers who perform customized van conversions.
Tire Repairers and Changers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Repair and replace tires.
Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Supervise and coordinate the activities of ground crew in the loading, unloading, securing, and staging of aircraft cargo or baggage. May determine the quantity and orientation of cargo and compute aircraft center of gravity. May accompany aircraft as member of flight crew and monitor and handle cargo in flight, and assist and brief passengers on safety and emergency procedures. Includes loadmasters.
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, and Material Movers, Hand
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of helpers, laborers, or material movers.
Recycling Coordinators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Supervise curbside and drop-off recycling programs for municipal governments or private firms.
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators and helpers.
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft, usually on scheduled air carrier routes, for the transport of passengers and cargo. Requires Federal Air Transport Pilot certificate and rating for specific aircraft type used. Includes regional, National, and international airline pilots and flight instructors of airline pilots.
Commercial Pilots
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Pilot and navigate the flight of fixed-winged aircraft on nonscheduled air carrier routes, or helicopters. Requires Commercial Pilot certificate. Includes charter pilots with similar certification, and air ambulance and air tour pilots.
Air Traffic Controllers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Control air traffic on and within vicinity of airport and movement of air traffic between altitude sectors and control centers according to established procedures and policies. Authorize, regulate, and control commercial airline flights according to government or company regulations to expedite and ensure flight safety.
Airfield Operations Specialists
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Ensure the safe takeoff and landing of commercial and military aircraft. Duties include coordination between air-traffic control and maintenance personnel; dispatching; using airfield landing and navigational aids; implementing airfield safety procedures; monitoring and maintaining flight records; and applying knowledge of weather information.
Flight Attendants
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages.
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Drive ambulance or assist ambulance driver in transporting sick, injured, or convalescent persons. Assist in lifting patients.
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Drive bus or motor coach, including regular route operations, charters, and private carriage. May assist passengers with baggage. May collect fares or tickets.
Bus Drivers, School or Special Client
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Transport students or special clients, such as the elderly or persons with disabilities. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist passengers in boarding or exiting.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license.
Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to deliver or pick up merchandise or to deliver packages. May load and unload vehicle.
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Drive automobiles, vans, or limousines to transport passengers. May occasionally carry cargo. Includes hearse drivers.
Locomotive Engineers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Drive electric, diesel-electric, steam, or gas-turbine-electric locomotives to transport passengers or freight. Interpret train orders, electronic or manual signals, and railroad rules and regulations.
Locomotive Firers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Monitor locomotive instruments and watch for dragging equipment, obstacles on rights-of-way, and train signals during run. Watch for and relay traffic signals from yard workers to yard engineer in railroad yard.
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Drive switching or other locomotive or dinkey engines within railroad yard, industrial plant, quarry, construction project, or similar location.
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Operate railroad track switches. Couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Signal engineers by hand or flagging. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes.
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Coordinate activities of switch-engine crew within railroad yard, industrial plant, or similar location. Conductors coordinate activities of train crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters review train schedules and switching orders and coordinate activities of workers engaged in railroad traffic operations, such as the makeup or breakup of trains and yard switching.
Subway and Streetcar Operators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Operate subway or elevated suburban trains with no separate locomotive, or electric-powered streetcar, to transport passengers. May handle fares.
Sailors and Marine Oilers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels. Includes able seamen and ordinary seamen.
Ship and Boat Captains
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Command vessels in oceans, bays, lakes, rivers, or coastal waters.
Mates- Ship, Boat, and Barge
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Supervise or coordinate activities of crew aboard ships, boats, barges, or dredges.
Pilots, Ship
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Command ships to steer them into and out of harbors, estuaries, straits, or sounds, or on rivers, lakes, or bays. Must be licensed by U.S. Coast Guard with limitations indicating class and tonnage of vessels for which license is valid and route and waters that may be piloted.
Motorboat Operators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Operate small motor-driven boats. May assist in navigational activities.
Ship Engineers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Bridge and Lock Tenders
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.
Parking Lot Attendants
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Park vehicles or issue tickets for customers in a parking lot or garage. May collect fee.
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, install antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.
Traffic Technicians
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Conduct field studies to determine traffic volume, speed, effectiveness of signals, adequacy of lighting, and other factors influencing traffic conditions, under direction of traffic engineer.
Transportation Attendants, Except Flight Attendants
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Provide services to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard ships, buses, trains, or within the station or terminal. Perform duties such as greeting passengers, explaining the use of safety equipment, serving meals or beverages, or answering questions related to travel.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site, or similar location.
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Wash or otherwise clean vehicles, machinery, and other equipment. Use such materials as water, cleaning agents, brushes, cloths, and hoses.
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Manually move freight, stock, or other materials or perform other general labor. Includes all manual laborers not elsewhere classified.
Packers and Packagers, Hand
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Pack or package by hand a wide variety of products and materials.
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.
Wellhead Pumpers
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Operate power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from wells in oil field.
Mine Shuttle Car Operators
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Operate diesel or electric-powered shuttle car in underground mine to transport materials from working face to mine cars or conveyor.
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
Industries: Transportation, Logistics & Distribution
Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.