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Transportation Director Salary in the United States

How much does a Transportation Director make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Transportation Director in the United States is $174,159 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $84.

However, a Transportation Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $181,705
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $160,700 to $178,109
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $148,446
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Transportation Director Salaries

A Transportation Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Transportation Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Transportation Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Transportation Manager (5+ years): $103,360
  • Transportation Senior Manager (5+ years): $141,991
  • Transportation Director (5+ years): $174,159
  • VP of Transportation (5+ years): $198,612
  • SVP of Transportation (5+ years): $236,271
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Transportation Manager5+ years$103,360
Transportation Senior Manager5+ years$141,991
Transportation Director5+ years$174,159
VP of Transportation5+ years$198,612
SVP of Transportation5+ years$236,271
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How Do Transportation Directors Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Transportation Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $192,829.
  • California: $192,097.
  • Massachusetts: $189,537.

Top Paying Cities for Transportation Director

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $219,667
  • San Francisco: $217,262
  • Oakland: $212,683

Transportation Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Transportation Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $194,961. While startup companies pay approximate $164,932.

Transportation Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $164,932
Growth Stage 51~500 $174,435
Established 501~5000 $188,269
Enterprise 5000+ $194,961

Transportation Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Transportation Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Transportation Director positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Transportation Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Transportation Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$278,654$134.060%

Transportation Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Transportation Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$160,700
Average $174,159/year
$178,109
$13,392
Average $14,513/month
$14,842
$3,090
Average $3,349/week
$3,425
$77
Average $84/hour
$86
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $178,109 $14,842 $3,425 $86
Average $174,159 $14,513 $3,349 $84
25th Percentile $160,700 $13,392 $3,090 $77

Transportation Director Salary Growth & Career Path

Transportation Director

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Advancement

For a Transportation Director, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the VP of Transportation role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $198,612 - a projected growth of 14% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Transportation Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Transportation Director

Here are companies hiring for Transportation Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Transportation Director

1. Where can a Transportation Director earn the most?

A Transportation Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Transportation Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Transportation Director is $219,667.

2. What is the highest pay for Transportation Director?

The highest pay for Transportation Director is $181,705.

3. What is the lowest pay for Transportation Director?

The lowest pay for Transportation Director is $148,446.

4. What are the responsibilities of Transportation Director?

Directs an organization's transportation operations to ensure efficiency, cost control, and compliance while managing teams and resources. Develops processes and policies to ensure transportation operations meet business objectives and comply with industry standards and local, state, and federal regulations. Maintains partner relationships and negotiates rates and terms with third-party logistics providers to ensure optimal pricing and contracted services meet expectations. Remains up to date with changing policies and regulations and plans and navigates changes to bring operations up to standard. Collaborates with supply and logistics teams to communicate and integrate transportation strategies across the organization. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Transportation Director?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Transportation Director roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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