Freight Facts and Figures 2012
Table 4-5. Employment in Selected Freight Transportation and Freight Transportation-Related Occupations: 2000 and 2009-2011
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 approximately 2.67 million truck drivers in 2011; about 57 percent of these professionals drive heavy/tractor trailer trucks, 29 percent drive light/delivery service trucks, and about 14 percent are driver/sales workers. Several industry analysts believe the number of truck drivers is below demand and driver shortages may be an issue in the future.
Table in Excel format | Historical data
| Occupation (SOC code) | 2000 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle operators, pipeline operators, and primary support | ||||
| Driver/sales worker (53-3031) | 373,660 | 363,050 | 371,670 | 387,950 |
| Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer (53-3032) | 1,577,070 | 1,550,930 | 1,466,740 | 1,508,620 |
| Truck drivers, light or delivery services (53-3033) | 1,033,220 | 834,780 | 780,260 | 771,210 |
| Locomotive engineers (53-4011) | 29,390 | 43,560 | 40,750 | 38,790 |
| Rail yard engineers, dinkey operators, and hostlers (53-4013) | 4,020 | 5,360 | 5,600 | 5,060 |
| Railroad brake, signal, and switch operators (53-4021) | 16,830 | 24,270 | 22,760 | 23,830 |
| Railroad conductors and yardmasters (53-4031) | 40,380 | 41,540 | 42,700 | 44,280 |
| Sailors and marine oilers (53-5011) | 30,090 | 31,950 | 31,690 | 31,280 |
| Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels (53-5021) | 21,080 | 30,450 | 29,280 | 30,220 |
| Ship engineers (53-5031) | 7,370 | 10,850 | 9,470 | 10,010 |
| Bridge and lock tenders (53-6011) | 4,790 | 4,290 | 3,250 | 3,420 |
| Gas compressor and gas pumping station operators (53-7071) | 6,510 | 4,160 | 4,040 | 3,870 |
| Pump operators, except wellhead pumpers (53-7072) | 13,730 | 10,310 | 9,440 | 12,150 |
| Transportation equipment manufacturing and maintenance occupations | ||||
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (49-3031) | 258,800 | 232,810 | 222,770 | 222,940 |
| Rail car repairers (49-3043) | 10,620 | 20,910 | 19,280 | 19,480 |
| Transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance occupations | ||||
| Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators (47-4061) | 9,940 | 14,880 | 15,520 | 15,590 |
| Signal and track switch repairers (49-9097) | 5,540 | 6,450 | 7,400 | 8,300 |
| Dredge operators (53-7031) | 3,100 | 1,990 | 1,720 | 1,590 |
| Secondary support service occupations | ||||
| Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance (43-5032) | 167,180 | 185,100 | 180,540 | 182,310 |
| Postal service mail carriers (43-5052) | 354,980 | 339,030 | 324,990 | 315,330 |
| Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks (43-5071) | 864,530 | 715,130 | 687,850 | 687,940 |
| Transportation inspectors (53-6051) | 26,520 | 24,250 | 24,280 | 24,810 |
| Tank car, truck, and ship loaders (53-7121) | 17,480 | 11,560 | 10,390 | 10,960 |
Key: SOC = Standard Occupational Classification
Source:
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Occupational Employment and Wages, 2011, available at www.bls.gov/oes as of July 16, 2012.
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