Transportation and Warehousing Employment and Wages in 2022

In 2022, the Transportation and Warehousing industry employed over 7.2 million people in the United States, reflecting an increase of 7.4% from 2021. The annual mean wage in 2022 was $56,290, and the median wage was $47,420. Compared to the national average, the wages in this industry group were lower by 9.1%.

Industry Sub-Groups

Among the industry sub-groups, Warehousing and Storage held the largest number of jobs within the Transportation and Warehousing industry, employing over 1.9 million people in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $47,490, with a median wage of $43,930. There was an increase in wage variance to the national average compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -24.8% to -23.3%, indicating industry wages outpaced national wage trends.

Truck Transportation accounted for a substantial employment share, with 1.6 million people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage for this sub-group was $54,700, and the median wage was $50,300. In terms of wage variance to the national average, there was a decrease compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -10.9% to -11.6%.

The sub-group of Couriers and Express Delivery Services also had considerable industry employment, with approximately 958 thousand people employed in 2022. The annual mean wage in this sub-group was $53,650 and the median wage was $45,360. The wage variance to the national average experienced an increase compared to 2021, with the variance shifting from -15.4% to -13.3%.

Highest Employment Occupations

When we examine the top occupations in terms of employment within the Transportation and Warehousing industry, we find that General and Operations Managers had the highest annual mean wage in 2022, at $108,480, and a median wage of $94,070. The industry variance to the national average was -11.7%. First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors had an annual mean wage of $65,810 and a median wage of $62,880. The industry variance to the national average was 8.2%. Postal Service Mail Carriers had an annual mean wage of $56,240 and a median wage of $54,250. The industry variance to the national average was 0%.

Conversely, notable occupations with lower wages within the Transportation and Warehousing industry included Stockers and Order Fillers, with an annual mean wage of $42,260 and a median wage of $39,520. The industry variance to the national average was 18.9%. Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks had an annual mean wage of $42,520 and a median wage of $38,990. The industry variance to the national average was 5.1%. Bus Drivers, School had an annual mean wage of $45,250 and a median wage of $45,410. The industry variance to the national average was 6.7%.

Summary

The Transportation and Warehousing industry demonstrated substantial growth in 2022, employing over 7.2 million people, which represents a 7.4% increase from the previous year. Although wages in this industry were lower compared to the national average, with an annual mean wage of $56,290 and a median wage of $47,420, it remains a significant sector. Overall, the Transportation and Warehousing industry presents employment opportunities and a range of wage prospects, making it an important component of the economy.

For more detailed industry insights, consider purchasing Aimiax’s 2022 Transportation and Warehousing Industry Report.