Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers plan, direct, or coordinate the movement of people and goods.
Is transportation, storage, and distribution managers a good career?
It scores 30/100 and ranks #139 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Pays well above the U.S. median wage ($107,230 vs $61,390)
- No college degree typically required to enter
Possible tradeoffs
- Often needs prior experience (5 years or more)
What transportation, storage, and distribution managers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. transportation, storage, and distribution managers earn between $82,440 and $146,770 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Strongest employment concentration
Live transportation, storage, and distribution managers jobs
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- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow faster than average through 2034.
Education
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically need at least a high school diploma, but education requirements for individual positions may vary.
High school classes in subjects such as English, mathematics, and economics may be helpful for prospective transportation, storage, and distribution managers.
Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as business, transportation, or engineering. Some colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in supply chain management and logistics.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Some employers require or prefer that transportation, storage, and distribution managers have specific types of certifications, licenses, or both.
Whether optional or required, certifications demonstrate competency in a particular area of transportation, storage, or distribution management.
Some transportation, storage, and distribution managers may need a driver's license or a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to travel to related warehouses and storage facilities or to assist with transportation operations. Depending on the type of good or facility being managed, some states have additional licensing requirements. Occupation-specific licenses, such as for engineers and marine captains, may be required of managers who oversee some types of workers.
Important qualities
Communication skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must be able to convey ideas clearly, both orally and in writing.
Customer service skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers may interact with clients and must respond appropriately to them.
Interpersonal skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must work well with a variety of people, including those they supervise, workers in other departments, and external clients.
Leadership skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must be able to motivate employees while coordinating supply chain and logistical operations.
Organizational skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must keep track of many details to efficiently manage a facility or a logistics network.
Problem-solving skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must identify and address issues that arise, including supply chain disruptions, staffing concerns, and client complaints.
Time-management skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to keep coordinated activities on schedule.
Related occupations
How much do transportation, storage, and distribution managers make?
The national median wage is $107,230 a year, with the middle half earning between $82,440 and $146,770 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is transportation, storage, and distribution managers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 30 of 100 and ranks #139 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +6.1% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a transportation, storage, and distribution manager?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, usually with 5 years or more.
Where do transportation, storage, and distribution managers earn the most?
Among states, Delaware pays the highest median ($145,000). Local pay for every state and metro is below.