Working in transportation distribution and logistics is a very exciting area of work to be in.
There is constant movement, quite literally, thanks to the airplanes, trucks, big rigs, and delivery vans that are used in this field of work.
Whether you are most interested in becoming an airplane pilot or an auto mechanic, careers in transportation distribution and logistics offer a wide range of opportunities.
1. Air Traffic Controller
Why Become an Air Traffic Controller?
Pay for an air traffic controller job is $120,140 a year on average, or $57.76 an hour.
While this career field takes a four-year degree, typically a bachelor’s, to get trained, the job has a positive outlook of 3.6 percent job growth.
Air traffic controllers monitor the skies and guide aircraft through the air, typically for the military or airports.
| Air Traffic Controller Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $127,920 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $61.50 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 3.6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Air Traffic Controller
2. Aircraft Mechanic
Why Become an Aircraft Mechanic?
The salary for an aircraft mechanic is $67,110 on average a year.
The job expectations of an aircraft mechanic cover one of the most thrilling modes of transportation—airplanes.
Working as an aircraft mechanic on new and old model planes of all sizes is the perfect career for anyone who has a passion for planes, helicopters, and other flying forms of aircraft.
| Aircraft Mechanic Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $69,470 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.40 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 4.9% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Aircraft Mechanic
3. Airline Pilot
Why Become an Airline Pilot?
Airline pilots earn some of the most money from a career in transportation distribution and logistics.
This job pays $174,870 as of the average salary per year.
You only need a four-year post-secondary degree to become an airline pilot in a professional capacity.
| Airline Pilot Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $198,190 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Airline Pilot
4. Avionics Technician
Why Become an Avionics Technician?
While this is not the most common job on this list of careers, avionics technician is an interesting field of work.
Avionics technicians repair and maintain advanced aircraft systems (AAS) and communications devices.
This includes wireless internet and radio technologies, emergency response systems, and autonomous flight controls.
The salary for the average avionics technician is not meager, with a median pay of $66,970 a year and $32.20 an hour.
| Avionics Technician Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $69,860 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $33.59 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 6% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Avionics Technician
5. Auto Mechanic
Why Become an Auto Mechanic?
The job of an auto mechanic brings this career-field back down to the ground for a different sort of focus.
Auto mechanics may not earn as much as aircraft mechanics, with an average salary of $44,890 a year and $21.58 an hour.
However, you only need to go to school for two or three years in order to fully train to become a paid auto mechanic.
For some, this shorter training period is instrumental to selecting auto mechanic as a career choice.
| Auto Mechanic Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $47,990 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $23.07 |
| Education | 2-3 Years |
| Outlook | 0% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Auto Mechanic
6. Flight Attendant
Why Become a Flight Attendant?
Rising back up in pay scale and position in the work environment, we have flight attendants.
This job pays an average of $56,230 a year and has the least amount of required training on this list.
You can start a job as a flight attendant with no education and most workers have about six months of education before they start the job.
Plus, this field has one of the highest job outlooks at 10.2 percent growth in the next decade.
The best job perk here is the ability to travel and stay in far away cities and exotic locales while working as a flight attendant.
| Flight Attendant Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $62,280 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 10.2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Flight Attendant
7. Truck Driver
Why Become a Truck Driver?
Earning about as much as an auto mechanic is a truck driver.
This is a commercially regulated position that requires specialized licensing to operate a truck.
However, with a salary of approximately $46,850 a year, or $22.52 an hour, the job of a trucker has a lot of demand.
Both short haul and long haul truck drivers are in demand around the nation due to a high turnover rate and the requirement to complete CDL training hampering the truck driving industry.
All you need to do is spend a few weeks taking CDL training to become a paid trucker in the US.
| Truck Driver Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $50,340 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $24.20 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
8. Bus Driver
Why Become a Bus Driver?
Another quick-to-enter job field is that of bus driver.
Bus drivers earn a decent salary of an average $45,830 a year or $22.03 an hour.
This is another job where you can enter with no education and minimal training.
You do need to have a commercial driver’s license with a bus driver’s endorsement.
To get a CDL, pass a driver’s exam and written test at the local Department of Motor Vehicles.
| Bus Driver Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $51,310 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $24.67 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Bus Driver
9. Taxi Driver
Why Become a Taxi Driver?
With a salary of $33,210 a year, taxi drivers are needed in every city, big and small.
Being a taxi driver is so popular that ride-sharing jobs allow most anyone to become a semi-professional cab driver.
However, to be a fully professional taxi driver requires you to work for a taxi company, like the yellow taxi cab companies in New York City.
| Taxi Driver Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $51,310 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $24.67 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | 20% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Taxi Driver
10. Logistics Analyst
Why Become a Logistics Analyst?
What does a logistics analyst do?
They ultimately are responsible for analyzing the supply chain for a particular company or firm.
Logistics analysts determine the best routing and logistics information for hauling freight and transporting individuals.
A logistics analyst is also responsible for billing, invoicing, and tracking shipments.
They earn a lot, too, with an average of $78,680 a year.
| Logistics Analyst Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $79,230 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $38.09 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 5% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Logistics Analyst
11. Postal Worker
Why Become a Postal Worker?
The United States Post Office hires postal workers to maintain the flow of the nation’s mail system.
That’s a lot to tackle, yet they do this job day in and day out.
With pay of an average of $52,180, postal workers are on the front lines of social connectivity.
| Postal Worker Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $54,370 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $26.14 |
| Education | 0-6 Months |
| Outlook | -12% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become a Postal Worker
12. Aeronautical Engineer
Why Become an Aeronautical Engineer?
Want to work for NASA?
Try getting educated as an aeronautical engineer.
Along with working with space age technology and maybe even aliens, you make an impressive $119,220 on average a year.
| Aeronautical Engineer Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $122,970 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $59.12 |
| Education | 4+ Years |
| Outlook | 2% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Aeronautical Engineer
13. Auto Technician
Why Become an Auto Technician?
An auto technician and an auto mechanic are two different fields, whereas a technician is involved with diagnostics and electronics more than machinery.
The job pays an estimated $44,890 a year, which is about the same as being a mechanic.
It all depends on how dirty you want to be at the end of the day, and auto technicians are doing fewer oil changes than mechanics.
| Auto Technician Key Stats | |
|---|---|
| Avg. Salary / year | $47,990 |
| Avg. Pay / hour | $23.07 |
| Education | 1-2 Years |
| Outlook | 0% |
Read the full career guide: How to Become an Auto Technician
