92 2024-2025 | Tennessee Career Guide Logistics companies help organizations plan, implement, and execute the move- ment and storage of products, materials and services throughout the supply chain from the point of origin to the point of consumption. This includes transporta- tion, shipping, warehousing, packaging, disposal, operations, security, safety, tech- nology, sustainability, legal, regulatory, ad- vocacy, economic analysis, insurance and industry issues research, professional driv- ers and technicians. What a typical day looks like depends on what position you hold. Professional Driver: Experts have as- sessed that the current nationwide short- age is estimated to be 80,000 and is anticipated to only grow larger as the sup- ply chain becomes more congested. A driver starts his or her day and is on the road, seeing the country through the windshield of a high-tech moving super- computer called a Class 8 truck. This po- sition requires reliability and an independent, self-starter attitude. Couple this with extensive driver training and you have the makings of award-winning driv- ers with millions of miles driven with zero accidents. These are some of the keys to a successful career as a professional driver. Research: The myriad of issues facing this important industry mirror the num- ber of job opportunities it provides. Some companies contain research departments while separate research organizations also exist as stand-alone entities studying these many issues. The issues needing better so- lutions are always evolving and currently Profession Overview n Work Sector: Transportation/Logistics n One in 11 jobs in Tennessee, or 193,690 jobs, are in the trucking industry today. n 93% of manufactured tonnage, or 200,390 tons per day, transported by trucks in Tennessee alone. n Total trucking industry wages paid in Tennessee in 2018 exceeded $8.7 billion n According to Indeed, the average salary for a truck driver is $77,114 per year (U.S.). n “Top five high-paying jobs in supply chain and logistics are: distribution center manager, fleet manager, business operations specialist, configuration analyst and senior level landman.” – Best College Reviews n Advancement:: Yes! Information Provided Within This Career By: Tennessee Trucking Association www.tntrucking.org American Transportation Research Institute www.truckingresearch.org/careers If Trucks Stop, Tennessee Stops. Transportation & Logistics Photography by Shutterstock®
