A Look Into Westchester’s Transportation and Logistics Job Sector

With the rise of e-commerce, transportation and logistics is a more important sector than ever.

The sector comprises jobs in warehousing, but also trucking, aviation, rail, and water transportation. In Westchester County, as elsewhere in the country, jobseekers with commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) are in high demand. Job openings for truck drivers as well as other transportation/logistics workers, such as commercial pilots, are projected to grow significantly through the rest of this decade.

Read on for more detail on jobs, trainings, and opportunities in this sector.

3 Important Jobs

These jobs pay well and are set to grow between 2020 and 2030 in the Hudson Valley. (Source: NYS Department of Labor)

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1. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

What do they do? Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. They must have a CDL.

Required education: Postsecondary non-degree award
Projected growth: 21.3%
Entry-level salary: $49,049
Median salary: $62,617

2. Commercial Pilots

What do they do? Airline and commercial pilots fly and navigate airplanes, helicopters, and other aircraft. Pilots usually have variable work schedules, with overnight layovers that are more common for airline pilots.

Required education: High school diploma or equivalent
Projected growth: 27.3%
Entry-level salary: $101,492
Median salary: $169,943

3. Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

What do they do? Operate industrial trucks or tractors equipped to move materials around a warehouse, storage yard, factory, construction site or similar location.

Required education: No formal educational credential
Projected growth: 24.7%
Entry-level salary: $38,004
Median salary: $49,265

Driving Trucks Changed This Woman’s Life

Based out of Elmsford, Teamsters Local 456 represents workers in Westchester and Putnam counties who are CDL drivers and workers for brands and businesses across the region. One of those teamsters is Denise June, who has been in the industry for 15 years.

Scan to read the rest of Denise June’s story.

This article first appeared in the monthly Westchester Skill Up! newsletter, which provides information about employment, training, and college opportunities across Westchester and beyond.

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Links and Resources

Heritage Auto School

This CDL driving school serves the Yonkers and White Plains areas. New students are always accepted.

Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES

Putnam-Northern Westchester BOCES offers a Transportation Career Academy as part of its career and technical education programming, as well as auto mechanics courses.

Southern Westchester BOCES

Southern Westchester BOCES’ adult education department offers classes in key transportation/logistics skills, such as auto body repair and auto mechanics.