The Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster uses your knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, and design to work in careers you plan, manage and move everything from people to company products through a range of transportation services.
In this field, you are involved in the logistics of all modes of transportation from road to rail to air to water.
Skills for the Transportation Industry
- CDL
- Maintenance
- Technology
- Time Management
- Communication
Check out some of our region’s top employers in transportation & logistics
*Some of them are even attending Career Quest Winter 2024!
Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport
Virginia Department of Transportation*
Explore Different Careers in Transportation
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license. Includes: CDL Driver (Commercial Driver’s License Driver), Driver, Line Haul Driver, Log Truck Driver, Over the Road Driver (OTR Driver), Production Truck Driver, Road Driver, Semi Truck Driver, Tractor Trailer Driver, and Truck Driver.
Average Income: $53,100 per year
Education: Vocational School and certification
Manually move freight, stock, luggage, or other materials, or perform other general labor. Includes: Dock Worker, Laborer, Line Tender, Loader, Material Handler, Merchandise Pick Up Associate, Receiver, Receiving Associate, Shipping and Receiving Materials Handler, and Warehouse Worker.
Average Income: $37,600 per year
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent
Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to pick up merchandise or packages from a distribution center and deliver. May load and unload vehicle. Includes: Bulk Delivery Driver, Delivery Driver, Driver, Light Truck Driver, Package Car Driver, Package Delivery Driver, Route Driver, Service Provider, Truck Driver, and Warehouse Driver.
Average Income: $45,500 per year
Education: High School Diploma or equivalent
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul automotive vehicles. Includes: Automotive Drivability Technician (Auto Drivability Tech), Automotive Mechanic (Auto Mechanic), Automotive Service Technician (Auto Service Tech), Automotive Technician (Auto Tech), Diagnostic Technician (Diagnostic Tech), Heavy Line Technician (Heavy Line Tech), and Lube Tech (Lubrication Technician).
Average Income: $46,600 per year
Education: Vocational School or On-The-Job Training
Verify and maintain records on incoming and outgoing shipments involving inventory. Duties include verifying and recording incoming merchandise or material and arranging for the transportation of products. May prepare items for shipment. Includes: Materials Control Associate, Order Fulfillment Specialist, Receiver, Receiving Associate, Receiving Clerk, Receiving Coordinator, Shipper, Shipping Clerk, Shipping Coordinator, and Traffic Assistant.
Average Income: $40,300 per year
Education: High-School Diploma or Equivalent
Drive a school bus to transport students. Ensure adherence to safety rules. May assist students in boarding or exiting. Includes: Bus Driver, School Bus Driver, Shuttle Bus Driver, and Special Education Bus Driver.
Average Income: $39,500 per year
Education: High-School Diploma or Equivalent
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties. Includes: Back Hoe Operator, Engineering Equipment Operator, Equipment Operator (EO), Forklift Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO), Hot Mix Asphalt Operator, Machine Operator, Motor Grader Operator, and Operating Engineer.
Average Income: $46,600 per year
Education: High-School Diploma or Equivalent
Sell spare and replacement parts and equipment in repair shop or parts store. Includes: Parts Advisor, Parts Consultant, Parts Counter Salesperson, Parts Counterman, Parts Counterperson, Parts Person, Parts Salesman, Parts Salesperson, Parts Specialist, and Wholesale Parts Salesperson.
Average Income: $35,400 per year
Education: High-School Diploma or Equivalent
Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems. Includes: Expeditor, Inventory Control Specialist, Material Requirements Planner (MRP), Materials Coordinator, Materials Planner, Production Assistant, and Production Clerk.
Average Income: $53,300 per year
Education: High-School Diploma or Equivalent
Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul buses and trucks, or maintain and repair any type of diesel engines. Includes mechanics working primarily with automobile or marine diesel engines. Includes: Bus Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Diesel Technician (Diesel Tech), Fleet Mechanic, General Repair Mechanic, Heavy Truck Mechanic, Service Technician, and Trailer Mechanic.
Average Income: $54,100 per year
Education: Vocational School or On-The-Job Training