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Transportation Manager Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Transportation Manager in the United States is $103,360 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $130,720
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $93,778 to $117,681
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $85,054
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Transportation Manager Salaries

A Transportation Manager'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Transportation Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Transportation Manager'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 Supervisor (7+ years): $74,532
  • Transportation Senior Supervisor (7+ years): $87,642
  • Transportation Manager (7+ years): $103,360
  • Transportation Senior Manager (7+ years): $141,991
  • Transportation Director (7+ years): $174,159
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Transportation Supervisor7+ years$74,532
Transportation Senior Supervisor7+ years$87,642
Transportation Manager7+ years$103,360
Transportation Senior Manager7+ years$141,991
Transportation Director7+ years$174,159
View as Graph

How Do Transportation Managers 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 Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $114,440.
  • California: $114,006.
  • Massachusetts: $112,487.

Top Paying Cities for Transportation Manager

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: $130,368
  • San Francisco: $128,941
  • Oakland: $126,223

What Skills Can Increase a Transportation Manager's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 9.7% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Foodservice (Mentioned in 1.56% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home. It includes restaurants, school and hospital cafeterias, catering operations, and many other formats.
  • Payroll Management (Mentioned in 1.26% Job Postings): Managing and maintaining employees' financial reports to secure payroll information by means of database and security module.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 9.7%
Foodservice 1.56%
Payroll Management 1.26%
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What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Transportation Manager's salary.

  • Standard Operating Procedures: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Cost Reduction: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Foodservice: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Standard Operating Procedures $111,629
8%
Cost Reduction $111,629
8%
Foodservice $111,629
8%
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Transportation Manager Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Transportation Manager salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $115,706. While startup companies pay approximate $97,884.

Transportation Manager Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $97,884
Growth Stage 51~500 $103,524
Established 501~5000 $111,734
Enterprise 5000+ $115,706

Transportation Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Transportation Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 160% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 80% above the average. In contrast, Transportation Manager positions in Retail & Wholesale or Construction typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Transportation Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Transportation Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$186,048$89.080%
Software & Networking$175,712$84.070%
Pharmaceuticals$165,376$80.060%
Biotechnology$155,040$75.050%
Internet$155,040$75.050%

How Education impacts an Transportation Manager's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Transportation Manager enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Transportation Manager with a Bachelor's Degree is between $101,364 and $109,504.

Transportation Manager Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Transportation Manager
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.2%
High School 23.9%
Associates 16.1%
Bachelors 43.9%
Masters 11.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how a Transportation Manager'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
$93,778
Average $103,360/year
$117,681
$7,815
Average $8,613/month
$9,807
$1,803
Average $1,988/week
$2,263
$45
Average $50/hour
$57
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $117,681 $9,807 $2,263 $57
Average $103,360 $8,613 $1,988 $50
25th Percentile $93,778 $7,815 $1,803 $45

Transportation Manager Salary Growth & Career Path

Transportation Manager

Next Role

Advancement

For a Transportation Manager, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Transportation Senior Manager role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $141,991 - a projected growth of 37% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Transportation Manager

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

Common company salaries for Transportation Manager

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

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FAQ about Transportation Manager

1. Where can a Transportation Manager earn the most?

A Transportation Manager'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 Manager earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Transportation Manager is $130,368.

2. What is the highest pay for Transportation Manager?

The highest pay for Transportation Manager is $130,720.

3. What is the lowest pay for Transportation Manager?

The lowest pay for Transportation Manager is $85,054.

4. What are the responsibilities of Transportation Manager?

Manages an organization's transportation operations to ensure efficiency, cost control, and compliance while coordinating teams and resources. Implements processes and policies to ensure transportation operations meet business objectives and comply with industry standards and local, state, and federal regulations. Monitors transportation metrics, expenses, and rates to determine efficient resource utilization and navigate demand changes. Oversees and evaluates third-party logistics providers to ensure contracted services meet expectations. Utilizes Transportation Management Systems to monitor shipping status, make timely decisions, and stay updated and informed. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes.

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

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Transportation Manager roles, with salaries approximately 80% 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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