What Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers this way: "Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials"; "Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities"; "Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements"; "Plan, organize, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements"; "Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related occupation is typically 5 years or more.
Job outlook for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 228,100 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 242,100 in 2035, an increase of 14,000 jobs (+6.1%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 18,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 8.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $107,230, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers earn the most
Across the 6 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $100,379 in Texas to $129,247 in New Jersey, a gap of $28,869 (1.29 times). 5 of those 6 states average above the BLS national median of $107,230 and 1 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 29,400, which is 26.0% of the 113,080 counted across them. Texas follows with 27,480.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($129,247), New York ($128,763) and California ($124,776) lead the ranking, while Texas ($100,379) and Indiana ($116,128) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 7 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Lake County, IN (Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN) at $71,180. The smallest margin is $51,908 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 7 of the 7 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 15.3% and 34.4% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (11-3000) include Computer and Information Systems Managers, Financial Managers, Human Resources Managers and Purchasing Managers.
Frequently asked questions about Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
What is the national median wage for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $107,230. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $100,379 to $129,247.
Which state pays Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $129,247. New York is next at $128,763.
What is the job outlook for Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 6.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 18,300 openings a year.
What education do Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent, with work experience in a related occupation of 5 years or more, according to BLS.
Where can Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Lake County, IN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $71,180 on a median wage of $124,120.