How long does the training take?

Typically no schooling after high school, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do transportation, storage, and distribution managers make?

The US median is $107,230 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train for this work?

2,535 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Transportation, storage, and distribution managers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Management · SOC 11-3071

$107,230US median pay, 2025

+6.1%Projected growth, 2025–35

18,300Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
5 years or more of experience in a related job
Work in: transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Business Administration and Management, General	CIP 52.0201	2,320
Business/Commerce, General	CIP 52.0101	782
Public Administration	CIP 44.0401	427
Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management	CIP 52.0203	334
Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General	CIP 49.0101	76
Aviation/Airway Management and Operations	CIP 49.0104	70
Transportation/Mobility Management	CIP 52.0209	31
Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies	CIP 44.0403	3

See the 2,535 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically no schooling after high school, then 5 years or more of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do transportation, storage, and distribution managers make?: The US median is $107,230 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train for this work?: 2,535 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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