Discover the 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Transportation
Get paid for moving the world.
People and cargo need to arrive safely and on time at various destinations every day. Working in transportation makes you a link in the vital supply chain that keeps everything going.
You may be looking to move into the ever-growing field of transportation. In the industry, there are various high-demand jobs and careers available. Here are five of the best-paying jobs in transportation.
1. Airline Pilot
There's much more to being an airline pilot than shuffling passengers back and forth. There are various positions aboard, such as pilot, copilot, and flight engineer.
They are responsible for navigating the flight of a fixed-wing aircraft. That could be a passenger plane, courier/express delivery craft, Federal Executive Branch transportation, and non-scheduled air transportation.
Required Education
Any pilot, copilot, or flight engineer must have a Federal Air Transport certificate and a rating for the specific aircraft they will fly. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows colleges and universities to certify graduates from aviation programs with less than 1500 flight hours.
Find a list of authorized institutions here.
Expected Salary
The salary expectation for airline pilots varies depending on the type of airline and home-base location. You can expect an annual salary between $131,00 and $277,000.
Job Growth
Between a current pilot shortage and an expected 80,000 pilot retirements over the next twenty years, this job is in high demand.
2. Air Traffic Controller
Air traffic controllers (ATCs) play a vital role in keeping flights safe and on time. You would work in or near an airport to regulate the movement of commercial, government, or cargo planes.
Required Education
No room for error means the training regimen for ATC specialists is rigorous. You must complete training courses at the FAA Academy, receive on-the-job training, and achieve certification.
Expected Salary
The median hourly rate for air traffic controllers is $62.38, though it can range from $35-$89 per hour. That makes an annual salary range between $71,880-$185,990.
Job Growth
Like airline pilots, there is a shortage of air traffic controllers. The intense nature and demanding schedule make retaining fully-trained controllers difficult. The industry is always open for qualified candidates to enter.
3. Railroad Conductor
Some may think that being a railroad conductor is a job from a bygone era. However, passenger and freight railways still need competent conductors to keep operations running smoothly. This role is also one of the best-paying jobs in transportation.
The conductor coordinates daily operations and trains the crew to ensure safety and timely arrivals.
Required Education
You need a high school diploma and some on-the-job training for most conductor positions. Many companies send potential conductors to a six-week training program. National and regional commuter railroad conductors must be certified by passing a Federal Railroad Administration exam.
Expected Salary
Earning potential is greater in the Western US than on the east coast. State government positions also pay more than private sector ones. Annual salaries range from $49,000-$102,000.
Job Growth
An estimated 7,000 railroad conductor positions open annually due to retirements or technicians moving to other jobs. Experienced conductors can move on to become yardmasters or engineers.
4. Water Transportation Workers
Water transportation workers, or mariners, move people and cargo across bodies of water. A skilled worker can maintain and operate a vessel, follow the chain of command on board, ensure the safety of passengers and cargo, and work on various ships.
Nori Chun
Water transport vessels cross the ocean to foreign ports, visit domestic ports along the coast, cross the Great Lakes, and navigate inland waterways.
You could work a tanker that carries oil and other liquids around the globe. Workers on tugboats assist larger vessels in harbors around the country. Cruise ships, merchant vessels, and passenger ferries all need qualified mariners.
Some water transportation occupations will take you away from home for periods, like oil tankers and cruise ships. Others allow a normal schedule, like river ferries and harbor work.
Required Education
Mariners working ships that fly the US flag need a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The credential is for US citizens or permanent residents who passed a security screening. Mariners must renew their TWIC every five years.
Expected Salary
The median annual salary for water transportation workers is $62,760.
Job Growth
Marine vessels have a command structure similar to the military though they are non-military ships. Qualified and dedicated mariners can move up the ranks after obtaining a Merchant Mariner Credential issued by the Coast Guard.
There are an estimated 8,700 job openings each year in the water transportation field. Most openings come about from retirements and job switching.
5. Truck Driver
One of the best-paying jobs in transportation is truck driving. Truck drivers operate tractor-trailer combinations or trucks with at least 26,001 lbs gross vehicle weight (GVW). Some positions also require the driver to unload the truck.
A multitude of sectors employs drivers across the trucking industry. There are drivers for durable goods, nondurable goods, warehousing, logging, package delivery, and more.
Required Education
You must complete high school or earn a GED and have a regular driver's license issued by your state. Next, you must obtain a CDL (commercial driver's license). Most states require you to complete truck driving school, while a few states allow you to get a CDL as long as you pass the skills and knowledge test.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration oversees the standards and tests for commercial drivers. A driver may need to obtain special endorsements for cargo like tankers, hazardous materials, and passenger vehicles.
Expected Salary
You'll find a lot of variability in salary for drivers depending on the industry sector. Drivers that work in specialized industries such as spectator sports, electric power generation, and express delivery earn more than drivers for warehousing and merchant wholesaling.
Truck drivers' salaries range can start around $72,730.
Job Growth
A fantastic aspect of trucking is that you can start almost anywhere. Truck drivers are always in high demand to move goods across the county.
You can start as a warehouse truck driver to gain industry experience. Some companies provide on-the-job training for special skills. As you earn endorsements and expand your skill base, you can transfer to higher-earning transportation positions.