Freight Facts and Figures 2010
Table 4-4. Employment in Selected Freight Transportation and Freight Transportation-Related Occupations: 2000-2009
Freight transportation jobs are not limited to for-hire carriers. Truck driving is by far the largest freight transportation occupation in the United States, and many drivers work for retailers and other establishments with shipper-owned trucks. There were nearly 2.75 million truck drivers in 2009; about 57 percent of these professionals drive heavy/tractor trailer trucks, 30 percent drive light/delivery service trucks, and about 13 percent are driver/sales workers. Several industry analysts believe the number of truck drivers is below demand and driver shortages will worsen in the future.
Table in Excel format | Historical data
| Occupation (SOC code) | 2000 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle operators, pipeline operators, and primary support | ||||
| Driver/sales worker (53-3031) | 373,660 | 382,360 | 372,720 | 363,050 |
| Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer (53-3032) | 1,577,070 | 1,693,590 | 1,672,580 | 1,550,930 |
| Truck drivers, light or delivery services (53-3033) | 1,033,220 | 922,900 | 908,960 | 834,780 |
| Locomotive engineers (53-4011) | 29,390 | 41,760 | 42,760 | 43,560 |
| Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers (53-4013) | 4,020 | 4,950 | 5,480 | 5,360 |
| Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators (53-4021) | 16,830 | 23,120 | 24,610 | 24,270 |
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters (53-4031) | 40,380 | 37,540 | 39,580 | 41,540 |
| Sailors and marine oilers (53-5011) | 30,090 | 32,520 | 32,420 | 31,950 |
| Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (53-5021) | 21,080 | 30,540 | 30,600 | 30,450 |
| Ship engineers (53-5031) | 7,370 | 13,710 | 11,190 | 10,850 |
| Bridge and lock tenders (53-6011) | 4,790 | 4,750 | 4,490 | 4,290 |
| Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators (53-7071) | 6,510 | 4,230 | 4,050 | 4,160 |
| Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (53-7072) | 13,730 | 10,400 | 9,280 | 10,310 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing and maintenance occupations | ||||
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (49-3031) | 258,800 | 250,370 | 248,620 | 232,810 |
| Rail car repairers (49-3043) | 10,620 | 23,190 | 20,780 | 20,910 |
| Transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance occupations | ||||
| Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators (47-4061) | 9,940 | 14,050 | 15,020 | 14,880 |
| Signal and track switch repairers (49-9097) | 5,540 | 6,090 | 6,570 | 6,450 |
| Dredge operators (53-7031) | 3,100 | 1,910 | 1,910 | 1,990 |
| Secondary support service occupations | ||||
| Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance (43-5032) | 167,180 | 190,190 | 193,210 | 185,100 |
| Postal service mail carriers (43-5052) | 354,980 | 348,070 | 354,570 | 339,030 |
| Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks (43-5071) | 864,530 | 755,790 | 760,950 | 715,130 |
| Transportation inspectors (53-6051) | 26,520 | 24,130 | 24,940 | 24,250 |
| Tank car, truck, and ship loaders (53-7121) | 17,480 | 14,870 | 12,330 | 11,560 |
Key: SOC = Standard Occupational Classification.
Source:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Occupational Employment and Wages, 2009 (Washington, DC: May 2009), available at www.bls.gov/oes as of August 10, 2010.
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