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Logistics & Package Delivery
UPS, FedEx, DHL
Transportation Workers, All Other
This is a catch-all job for transportation work that does not fit a more specific title. On a given shift, a worker might load freight, move baggage or equipment, guide vehicles in a yard, or keep shipments and logs organized. The tradeoff is clear: the work is accessible and hands-on, but the title is broad, the pay is only moderate, and advancement usually means moving into a more specialized role.
Also known as Transportation WorkerTransportation HelperTransportation LaborerTransportation AideTransportation Attendant
Median Salary
$39,630
Mean $45,040
U.S. Workforce
~11K
1.2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+3.8%
11.5K to 11.9K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Transportation Workers, All Other sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~11K workers, with a median annual pay of $39,630 and roughly 1.2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 11.5 K in 2024 to 11.9K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Transportation Helper and can progress toward Transportation Shift Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Forklifts, Pallet Jacks & Material Handling Equipment, Cargo Securement, Load Balancing & Tie-Downs, and DOT Safety Rules, Pre-Shift Inspections & Incident Reporting, paired with soft skills such as Attention to detail, Situational awareness, and Reliability.
Core Responsibilities
- Move freight, baggage, supplies, or equipment between vehicles, carts, docks, and storage areas.
- Secure loads with straps, locks, or other restraints so items do not shift or fall during transport.
- Use radios, route sheets, or dispatch instructions to track where shipments or equipment need to go next.
- Check vehicles, dollies, lifts, and other handling equipment before use and report anything broken or unsafe.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Move freight, baggage, supplies, or equipment between vehicles, carts, docks, and storage areas.
02 Secure loads with straps, locks, or other restraints so items do not shift or fall during transport.
03 Use radios, route sheets, or dispatch instructions to track where shipments or equipment need to go next.
04 Check vehicles, dollies, lifts, and other handling equipment before use and report anything broken or unsafe.
05 Guide trucks, carts, or pedestrians through busy yards, terminals, parking areas, or loading zones.
06 Record basic shipment details, completed transfers, mileage, delays, or safety issues.
Industries That Hire
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Rail Freight & Passenger Service
Union Pacific, BNSF Railway, Amtrak
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Airlines & Airport Ground Services
Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Swissport
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Ports & Maritime Logistics
Maersk, CMA CGM, SSA Marine
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Public Transit & Municipal Transportation
MTA, LA Metro, WMATA
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can usually get started with a high school diploma and short-term training, which makes this easier to enter than many transportation jobs.
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The job is physical and varied, so you may work in a terminal, yard, dock, airport, or parking area instead of sitting at a desk all day.
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There are about 1.2K annual openings, so employers keep hiring even though the occupation is small.
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The median pay of $39,630 is modest, but it is still a step up from many low-barrier entry jobs.
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Workers who prove dependable can move into more specialized equipment use or lead roles without needing a four-year degree.
Challenges
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Pay is limited: the mean wage is $45,040 and the median is $39,630, so this is not a high-earning transportation job.
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Growth is slow, with employment projected to rise only 3.8% by 2034, which adds just 0.4K jobs.
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The occupation is small, with only 10,960 workers now, so openings can be uneven and tied to local terminals, yards, or facilities.
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Because this is a catch-all title, the work can be vague and the long-term career ladder is often narrower than in more specialized transportation roles.
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The job is often physically demanding, exposed to weather, shift work, and safety risks, especially in loading areas and vehicle yards.
Career Progression
Transportation Helper
0-2 years
$30K-$36K
New workers learn the yard, terminal, or loading area, focus on safe lifting and basic equipment use, and take direction from more experienced staff.
Transportation Worker, All Other
2-5 years
$36K-$44K
Workers handle loading, moving, securing, and documenting shipments or equipment with less supervision and more responsibility for safety.
Lead Transportation Worker THIS ROLE
5-8 years
$45K-$53K
Experienced workers coordinate small crews, solve day-to-day problems, and make sure freight, vehicles, or passenger flows stay on schedule.
Transportation Shift Supervisor
8+ years
$54K-$67K
Supervisors manage staffing, safety checks, and workflow across a shift, with more time spent on planning and less on manual handling.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The BLS lists this as the typical entry credential, and many employers hire people who can learn the job on site.
Short-term on-the-job training
Most workers learn the basics after hire, which is why short-term on-the-job training is the standard preparation for this role.
Forklift or material-handling certification
A forklift or warehouse safety credential can help you qualify for equipment-heavy assignments, but it is usually optional.
Key Skills
Technical
Forklifts, Pallet Jacks & Material Handling Equipment 88%
Cargo Securement, Load Balancing & Tie-Downs 84%
DOT Safety Rules, Pre-Shift Inspections & Incident Reporting 80%
Dispatch Radios, Route Sheets & GPS Tracking 75%
Shipping Labels, Bills of Lading & Inventory Logs 70%
Basic Hand Tools & Routine Equipment Maintenance 64%
Soft Skills
Attention to detailSituational awarenessReliabilityClear communicationTeamworkAdaptability Job Outlook and Trends
+3.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
1.2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 11.5K to 11.9 K over the next decade, representing 3.8% growth. Around 1.2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.