What is the salary of a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers?

The typical salary range is $71,407 - $142,814 per year.

Automotive, Aviation, & MaritimeGrowingBright Outlook

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Mid-level

Also known as: Aerial Planting and Cultivation Manager, Air Export Logistics Manager, Airport Manager, Ammunition Storage Superintendent

Automotive, Aviation, & MaritimeBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager, you plan and direct how goods move, are stored, and get delivered, ensuring everything follows company rules and government laws. You’ll often manage logistics, making sure products get where they need to be efficiently. This role involves a lot of communication via email, phone, and face-to-face meetings with your team and others. It suits people who are organized, great at problem-solving, and enjoy leading operations.

LogisticsSupply Chain ManagementTransportation ManagementDistributionWarehouse ManagementBusiness ManagementOperations ManagementLeadershipManagement

A Day in the Life

You arrive at the distribution center office in Dallas, Texas, just as dawn breaks. Your computer hums to life, and you immediately open Outlook, sifting through overnight emails. A glance at the dashboard in your Transportation Management System (TMS) shows today’s scheduled pickups and deliveries. You grab a coffee, mentally mapping out your morning before the first team lead arrives. The early quiet allows for focused review before the day’s inevitable rapid pace begins.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies

Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Bentley MicroStation Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Visio Microsoft Word Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management SAP software Structured query language SQL

In-demand software

Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointWarehouse management system WMS

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Bright Outlook

O*NET flags this career as a Bright Outlook occupation: grows rapidly over the next decade.

Projected growth

+6.1%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

18,300

per year (US)

Jobs today

228,100

in 2025 → 242,100 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication

High

Working in a team

High

Contact with others

High

Freedom to make decisions

High

Time pressure

High

Time spent sitting

Moderate

Working outdoors

Moderate

Indoor, climate-controlled

High

Dealing with customers

High

Level of competition

Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Growing Job Market

This career is projected for rapid growth, with about 18,300 job openings each year through 2035. The median annual wage is $107,230. Many managers begin in roles like Dispatcher and can advance to leadership positions such as Director of Logistics or Supply Chain Vice President.

Career ladder

Often before this role

Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Dispatcher
Warehouse Associate

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Where it can lead

Director of Logistics
Supply Chain Vice President
Operations Director

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will increasingly automate routing, inventory management, and predictive maintenance in transportation and logistics, allowing managers to focus on strategic planning, system optimization, and managing AI-driven solutions. While some operational tasks may be reduced, the role will evolve to require oversight of autonomous systems and data-driven decision-making, enhancing efficiency and resilience. Managers will need to adapt to leverage AI tools for better forecasting and supply chain visibility.

Salary

$107,230

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position