How much does a transportation worker make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical transportation worker in the United States makes $45,650 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
There's no single routine for this broad group. In one airport-refueling example, a worker radios dispatch and uses a fuel-truck hose to refuel an aircraft; ferry and other transport jobs look different.
Did you know? The same catch-all job group can include both airplane refuelers and cable-ferryboat operators—so its workers may work at an airport or on a ferry.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $33,080 and $79,540How do you become one?
In the U.S., a high-school diploma is the usual entry education; BLS lists no related experience and short on-the-job training. There is no one age, test, license, or apprenticeship for this broad group, so check the rules for your specific job.
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, special training or a license, the kind of transportation work and employer, and location. Shift premiums or overtime can also change total pay; BLS says its wage survey leaves these extra payments out.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($69,220), lowest in Pennsylvania ($28,250).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
In Japan, a transport worker averages $31,341. Transportation worker salary in Japan
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $33,080 | $45,650 | $79,540 | about 14,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $69,220 | about 160 |
| Oklahoma | $65,580 | about 150 |
| Utah | $65,270 | about 60 |
| Hawaii | $59,500 | about 270 |
| Washington | $58,300 | about 260 |
Official definition: All transportation workers not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-6099.00
- apps.illinoisworknet.com/IwnProfiles/occupations/occupation/53-6099.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes536099.htm
- www.onetonline.org/search/task/compare/43-9071.00?d=13304
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY