Transportation Worker Salary in 2026
How Much Do Transportation Workers Make?
Transportation Workers earn a median annual salary of $39,630 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $27,780 at the 10th percentile to $65,810 at the 90th percentile — a range of $38,030. The highest-paying state is New Jersey at $70,700.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,780 |
| 25th percentile | $32,630 |
| Median (50th) | $39,630 |
| 75th percentile | $53,350 |
| 90th percentile | $65,810 |
Transportation Worker Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jerseytop | $70,700 |
| Utah | $65,290 |
| Washington | $63,400 |
| Tennessee | $50,850 |
| California | $48,910 |
| Arizona | $48,140 |
| District of Columbia | $47,960 |
| South Carolina | $45,340 |
| Virginia | $45,340 |
| Georgia | $44,360 |
| Florida | $44,210 |
| Wisconsin | $43,450 |
| New York | $42,620 |
| Kansas | $41,090 |
| Minnesota | $40,830 |
| Nevada | $39,420 |
| Arkansas | $38,540 |
| Ohio | $37,190 |
| North Carolina | $35,840 |
| Texas | $35,510 |
| Illinois | $35,240 |
| Michigan | $34,940 |
| New Mexico | $34,670 |
| Louisiana | $34,040 |
| Connecticut | $33,400 |
| Maryland | $33,280 |
| Rhode Island | $33,190 |
| Mississippi | $32,930 |
| Indiana | $32,880 |
| Missouri | $32,630 |
| Delaware | $31,200 |
| New Hampshire | $29,070 |
| Nebraska | $28,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $27,730 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Transportation Workers
Transportation Worker Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$27,780 – $32,630 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$39,630 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$53,350 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $65,810+ |
How to Earn More as a Transportation Worker
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Transportation Workers in New Jersey earn $70,700 — $31,070 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($53,350) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 53-6099.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.