Occupation · SOC 53-6099
Transportation Workers, All Other
All transportation workers not listed separately.
Median wage
$39,630
$27,780–$65,810
Projected growth
+3.5%
Average growth
Annual openings
40
per year
Employed (US)
10,960
Job Zone —
Core skills
Active ListeningMonitoringSpeakingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanical
Technology & tools
Web page creation and editing softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.Inspect work of aircraft mechanics performing maintenance, modification, or repair and overhaul of aircraft and aircraft mechanical systems to ensure adherence to standards and procedures.Secure passengers for transportation by buckling seatbelts or fastening wheelchairs with tie-down straps.Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.Collect cash payments from customers, and make change or charge purchases to customers' credit cards, providing customers with receipts.Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.Examine maintenance records and flight logs to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.Inspect new, repaired, or modified aircraft to identify damage or defects and to assess airworthiness and conformance to standards, using checklists, hand tools, and test instruments.Approve or deny issuance of certificates of airworthiness.Take numbered tags from customers, locate vehicles, and deliver vehicles, or provide customers with instructions for locating vehicles.Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.Inspect vehicles to detect any damage.Greet customers and open their car doors.Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.Prepare and maintain detailed repair, inspection, investigation, and certification records and reports.Provide boarding assistance to elderly, sick, or injured people.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Aircraft weight-and-balance forms — complete with supervisor guidance using standard templates in a cargo operations environment.Cargo quantity and orientation data — record and verify under direct oversight during scheduled ground operations.Ground crew loading instructions — relay basic directives from a supervisor to baggage handlers on the ramp.Cargo distribution basics — apply pre-approved load plans to position freight in aircraft holds under close supervision.Safety procedures — follow established protocols for ramp operations after completing initial orientation training.Equipment operation checklists — use step-by-step guides to inspect ground support equipment at the start of each shift.Active listening skills — demonstrate by repeating back instructions from dispatch or lead personnel before acting.Spreadsheet software — enter cargo manifest data into pre-built templates under direction from a senior load planner.English-language shipping documents — read and interpret standard cargo labels and waybills with occasional guidance.Problem recognition — identify obvious discrepancies between cargo counts and manifests and escalate to a supervisor.
developing
Aircraft center-of-gravity calculations — perform independently using approved weight-and-balance software for routine flight configurations.Cargo space utilization — apply load-planning principles to distribute freight efficiently across available hold positions with minimal oversight.Ground crew coordination — direct baggage and cargo handlers through standard loading and unloading cycles on domestic operations.Operational monitoring — track ramp activities against scheduled timelines and flag deviations using established reporting procedures.New-employee safety orientation — assist in delivering structured safety briefings to recently hired ground personnel.Database software — query cargo tracking systems to verify shipment status and resolve routine discrepancies on shift.Critical thinking — evaluate competing load configurations and select the most operationally sound option within established guidelines.Equipment operation — control and adjust ground support machinery such as belt loaders and cargo dollies in routine ramp conditions.Customer service communication — respond to cargo status inquiries from airline representatives or freight agents using professional verbal and written skills.Regulatory compliance — apply public safety and security requirements when screening and staging cargo for departure.
proficient
Center-of-gravity and trim calculations — compute autonomously for complex or non-standard aircraft configurations, confirming results against airline engineering data.Non-routine cargo scenarios — resolve oversized, hazardous, or weight-restricted shipment issues independently, applying transportation regulations and judgment.Ground crew supervision — direct full loading, unloading, securing, and staging cycles for cargo and baggage across multiple aircraft turns without managerial oversight.Load-plan optimization — design cargo distribution strategies that maximize space utilization and maintain balance limits for varied fleet types.Employee training delivery — develop and conduct job-specific training sessions on safety procedures and equipment operation for new transportation workers.Operations monitoring — maintain situational awareness of ramp activities across concurrent flights and implement corrective actions when deviations occur.Deductive reasoning in dispatch — analyze weight, fuel, and passenger variables together to determine viable load combinations under tight departure windows.Office and database tools — produce accurate cargo manifests, weight-and-balance reports, and load summaries using integrated office suite and database software.Cross-functional coordination — communicate load constraints and scheduling conflicts to flight operations, fueling, and airline station teams with clarity and authority.Reading comprehension — interpret complex regulatory documents, carrier manuals, and safety bulletins and translate requirements into actionable ground procedures.
advanced
Organizational load-planning standards — establish and maintain weight-and-balance policies and procedures that align with regulatory requirements across an entire cargo operation.Strategic cargo space management — design system-level distribution frameworks that improve fleet utilization rates and reduce excess fuel burn across multiple stations.Ground operations leadership — set performance expectations, assign accountabilities, and lead ground crew teams through high-volume or irregular operations at scale.Training program development — build comprehensive curricula for safety procedures, equipment operation, and load planning, ensuring compliance with federal and company standards.Regulatory liaison — represent the organization in audits and meetings with aviation authorities, articulating operational practices and corrective action plans.Performance monitoring systems — implement data dashboards using spreadsheet and database tools to track operational metrics and drive continuous improvement initiatives.Risk and safety governance — develop and enforce ramp safety culture programs, reducing incident rates through structured accountability and investigation protocols.Workforce capability development — mentor mid-level transportation workers, providing structured feedback and career-progression pathways within the ground operations function.Crisis decision-making — exercise senior judgment to resolve critical weight, security, or equipment failures that threaten departure integrity or crew safety under time pressure.Cross-department strategy — partner with airline management, logistics vendors, and facility planners to align ground transportation capacity with long-range operational and business goals.
Also known as
30 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Ground Transportation Apprentice (Air Force 2T131)Shop WorkerCheck PilotInstructor, Flying IFerryboat Operator, CableRamp AttendantFlag SignalmanFlying InstructorRickshaw DriverRampmanGround Transportation Superintendent (Air Force 2T191)Ground Transportation Helper (Air Force 2T111)Airport Utility WorkerRefuelerGround Transportation (Air Force 2T1X1)Flag SignalerPilot InstructorJinriksha Driver (Rickshaw)Instructor, PilotFood or Baggage Handling RampmanGround Transportation Journeyman (Air Force 2T151)Ground Transportation Craftsman (Air Force 2T171)Gasoline AttendantFuelerElevator OperatorPedicab DriverAirport Ramp AttendantAirplane RefuelerAirplane Pilot HelperCable Ferryboat Operator