10 of the Most Popular Types of Transportation Jobs in 2026

See what kind of roles similar to Transportation jobs are hiring now

Top Types Of Transportation Jobs

• Truck Driver

  Salary range: $39,500 - $66,000

  A truck driver transports goods and materials. They usually go in and out of manufacturing plants, and distribution and retail centers, working day and night shifts. Truck drivers are a vital component of nearly every industry. A truck driver job usually requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). CDL trucks need special licenses to operate because of their large size. Truck drivers must be able to maneuver these trucks for miles at a time, often in heavy traffic. It is essential to be alert and follow all roadway safety regulations. Driving a tractor-trailer is very different from driving a traditional vehicle; the driver needs to have superb anticipation to keep the load from shifting on a curve, or to maneuver steep grades properly. The trucks themselves have many gears, sometimes as many as eighteen, in the transmission. Trucks also weigh significantly more than cars and are typically between seventy to eighty feet long, which is why a truck driver has to be specially trained to drive these larger vehicles.

• Driving

  Salary range: $36,000 - $45,000

  Driving is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Driving jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $45,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Driving job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Cdl

  Salary range: $66,000 - $88,000

  A CDL job involves the operation of a large vehicle or piece of machinery, which requires a valid commercial driver’s license. There are three different classes of this license. Class A certifies a truck driver to operate vehicles whose gross weight exceeds 26,000 pounds, such as tractor-trailers, flatbeds, and tankers. Class B licenses allow someone to operate buses or box trucks, such as a furniture delivery truck or large package delivery vehicles. Class C licenses are for hazardous material transportation and passenger vans that carry 16 or more people. Positions that require a CDL often require a clean driving record and additional qualifications and skills.

• Cdl Truck Driver

  Salary range: $60,000 - $86,500

  A CDL truck driver job is a position in the trucking industry that requires a commercial driver’s license (CDL). This means that you must already have their CDL, or be far along enough in the process of earning it that you will have it at the start of employment. CDL trucks require special licenses for operation because of their bulk. Drivers must be able to maneuver these trucks for miles at a time, often in heavy traffic. The driver must be alert and follow all roadway safety regulations. They are responsible for such duties as loading and unloading heavy cargo, tracking their mileage, fuel, toll expenses, ensuring delivery, and maintaining their trucks. CDL truck drivers must legally take breaks, as their most important duty is to practice safe driving habits.

• Non Cdl Truck Driver

  Salary range: $65,000 - $84,500

  Non Cdl Truck Driver is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Non Cdl Truck Driver jobs pay between $65,000 (25th percentile) and $84,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Non Cdl Truck Driver job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Railroad Van Driver

  Salary range: $26,000 - $35,500

  A railroad van driver transports train crew members between the destination of their train and their base or from headquarters to the starting point of the train’s journey. In this career, you drive a passenger van, a shuttle bus, or a similar vehicle. You transport crews when scheduled, but may also perform your duties on an on-call basis. Though some drivers work directly for a railroad, most find employment with transportation service providers who transport crews for different rail lines. Your responsibilities include navigating to the pick-up and drop-off sites and observing safe driving practices while on the road.

• Delivery Truck Driver

  Salary range: $40,000 - $60,000

  Delivery Truck Driver is a popular job search query. Most salaries for Delivery Truck Driver jobs pay between $40,000 (25th percentile) and $60,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Delivery Truck Driver job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Federal Government Cdl

  Salary range: $50,000 - $86,000

  Federal Government Cdl is a typical job search query Most salaries for Federal Government Cdl jobs pay between $50,000 (25th percentile) and $86,000 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for Federal Government Cdl job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• 10K A Month Truck Driving

  Salary range: $50,000 - $66,500

  10K A Month Truck Driving is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for 10K A Month Truck Driving jobs pay between $50,000 (25th percentile) and $66,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for 10K A Month Truck Driving job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Class C Truck Driver

  Salary range: $38,000 - $47,000

  A Class C truck driver is someone who has attained their commercial driver’s license (CDL) for Class C standards. A CDL will be issued in one of three classes: A, B, and C. Each class has different rules and regulations that must be met and followed. In most states, a Class C truck driver can drive vehicles with at least 16 passengers, or vehicles used to transport hazmat materials. They are not licensed to operate a vehicle under a Class A license, like a tractor trailer.