Terminal manager vs transportation director

The differences between terminal managers and transportation directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a terminal manager and a transportation director. Additionally, a terminal manager has an average salary of $74,237, which is higher than the $51,314 average annual salary of a transportation director.

The top three skills for a terminal manager include customer service, DOT and OSHA. The most important skills for a transportation director are DOT, logistics, and CDL.

Terminal manager vs transportation director overview

	Terminal Manager	Transportation Director
Yearly salary	$74,237	$51,314
Hourly rate	$35.69	$24.67
Growth rate	6%	-
Number of jobs	16,792	23,622
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

What does a terminal manager do?

Terminal managers are professionals who are responsible for managing workers and direct dispatching activities of logistics vehicles. These managers are required to develop relationships with corporate and operational departments so that they can ensure the company logistics standards are met. They must resolve customer service complaints by implementing satisfactory solutions to retain customers. Terminal drivers must train new drivers so that they can be licensed, tested, and certified according to federal and state laws. They are also required to maintain a clean and safe working condition of their facility and equipment.

What does a transportation director do?

Transportation Directors are responsible for managing an organization's transportation operations. They are involved in supervising transportation projects, monitoring performance, research workflow processes, conduct strategic meetings with stakeholders, administer the budgeting process, and ensures programs comply with state and federal regulations. Besides that, transportation directors also work with the human resources department in employee recruitment as well as implementing training and orientations. Other duties include performing financial reports analysis and software tools testing.

Terminal manager vs transportation director salary

Terminal managers and transportation directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Terminal Manager	Transportation Director
Average salary	$74,237	$51,314
Salary range	Between $55,000 And $99,000	Between $30,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	San Leandro, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Virginia	New York
Best paying company	Hub Group	Zulily
Best paying industry	Energy	Health Care

Differences between terminal manager and transportation director education

There are a few differences between a terminal manager and a transportation director in terms of educational background:

	Terminal Manager	Transportation Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Terminal manager vs transportation director demographics

Here are the differences between terminal managers' and transportation directors' demographics:

	Terminal Manager	Transportation Director
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 87.4% Female, 12.6%	Male, 76.0% Female, 24.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	5%	5%

Differences between terminal manager and transportation director duties and responsibilities

Terminal manager example responsibilities.

Manage all CDL drivers files, medical re-certifications, and random drug and alcohol testing.
Utilize company trucks and outside carriers to achieve proper and JIT deliveries of order goods.
Provide route profitability analysis as directed, manage transportation GPS process.
Manage all truckload and LTL warehouse operations including consolidation and distribution for several customers.
Coordinate logistics process, freight movement, and contractor activities managing inbound/outbound freight, customer service and administration.
Manage inventory of inbound ocean containers, coordinate and schedule TL operations, supervise yard hostlers and manage outbound trailer traffic.

Transportation director example responsibilities.

Manage RFP process to outsource truck maintenance resulting in headcount reduction of 32, and total savings of $880K annually.
Manage inventory of inbound ocean containers, coordinate and schedule TL operations, supervise yard hostlers and manage outbound trailer traffic.
Perform OSHA forklift and domestic HAZMAT shipping training per regulatory guidelines.
Convert fleet on-board computer system from Cadec to GPS base Xata.
Install time-management Synovia GPS tracking and cameras on all school buses provide constant security to passengers.
Develop routing procedures for LTL, truck load, air freight, partial package, and inter modal shipments.

Terminal manager vs transportation director skills

Common terminal manager skills

Customer Service, 15%
DOT, 13%
OSHA, 5%
Payroll, 4%
Facility Maintenance, 4%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%

Common transportation director skills

DOT, 18%
Logistics, 11%
CDL, 7%
Customer Satisfaction, 6%
Transportation Services, 5%
Transportation Operations, 4%

Terminal Manager vs. similar jobs

Terminal Manager related careers

Terminal Manager related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Executive Management Industry
Terminal Manager
Terminal Manager vs Transportation Director

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs