Logistics Manager
Run the warehouses and transportation that move goods to customers.
- $107,230
- 5+ years of experience
Transportation & Logistics career
Transportation Supervisor
Also called: Fleet Supervisor · Warehouse Supervisor · Dispatch Supervisor · Shipping Supervisor
What transportation supervisors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a transportation supervisor do?
First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers directly supervise and coordinate the activities of drivers, warehouse workers and material movers. The median pay is $62,890 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Experience plus supervisor training, and employment is projected to grow +3.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$62,890$30.23/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.0%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year54,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainExperience plus supervisor trainingTypical program length
- U.S. jobs621,500Employment, 2025
What transportation supervisors do
Transportation supervisors lead the front line of logistics. They schedule drivers and warehouse crews, assign loads and routes, enforce safety and DOT rules, track productivity and solve daily problems.
A high school diploma and some experience are typical. BLS projects about average growth and many openings.
Typical duties
- Schedule crews
- Assign loads and routes
- Enforce safety
- Track productivity
- Coach workers
- Handle DOT compliance
- Solve daily problems
Work environment and schedule
Supervisors work in warehouses, terminals and dispatch offices.
Schedule: Full time, often early or late shifts.
A day in the life
- Check overnight issues.
- Assign drivers.
- Walk the dock.
- Coach a new forklift driver.
See a full day in the life of a transportation supervisor →
Transportation Supervisor salary
Half of transportation supervisors earned more than $62,890 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $43,360 for the lowest 10% to $96,150 for the top 10%.
Full transportation supervisor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a transportation supervisor
- Finish high school
- Work as a driver or warehouse worker
- Become a lead
- Learn scheduling and DOT rules
- Become a supervisor
A high school diploma and some related experience are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a transportation supervisor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Scheduling
- DOT rules
- Warehouse operations
- Safety programs
- Productivity tracking
People skills
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Fairness
All transportation supervisor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Many openings
- Lead without a degree
- Fast-paced
- Path to management
Cons
- Staffing problems
- Long shifts
- Pressure on deadlines
- On call
Certifications and licenses
- CDL: Helpful for fleets.
- OSHA 30: Safety.
- Forklift trainer certification: Helpful.
- APICS CLTD: Optional.
Career path
- Driver or Associate: Entry.
- Lead: Lead.
- Supervisor: Lead crews.
- Operations Manager: Run sites.
Learn the job before day one
Our Transportation Supervisor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build a daily driver schedule and coach a worker on a safety issue, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Truck Driver
Haul freight safely across town or across the country with a CDL.
- $58,640
- 3–7 weeks
Warehouse Associate
Receive, pick, pack and ship orders that keep stores and customers supplied.
- $40,240
- Days (on the job)
Freight Dispatcher
Plan loads, route drivers and keep freight moving on schedule.
- $50,340
- 1–3 months
Compare: Transportation Supervisor vs. Logistics Manager · Transportation Supervisor vs. Truck Driver · Transportation Supervisor vs. Warehouse Associate · Transportation Supervisor vs. Freight Dispatcher
Transportation Supervisor FAQ
Do I need a degree?
No.
Is the job in demand?
Yes, BLS projects many openings.
Do I need a CDL?
Helpful for fleet supervision.
How much does a transportation supervisor make?
The median annual wage for transportation supervisors was $62,890 ($30.23 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $43,360 and the highest 10% earned more than $96,150.
How long does it take to become a transportation supervisor?
Most people need about Experience plus supervisor training of training. A high school diploma and some related experience are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a transportation supervisor?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education.
More transportation supervisor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-1047 (First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for First-line supervisors of transportation and material moving workers, except aircraft cargo handling supervisors (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.