Managers in transport and distribution Pay Data UK — 2025

Managers in transport and distribution roles in the UK earn a median of £47,230 per year, equivalent to £22.09 per hour as of 2025. This represents a 6.2% increase in annual pay compared to the previous year. Pay varies across the UK, ranging from £35,639 to £71,845 per year.

How Pay Varies Across the UK

Each bar shows how many areas of the UK have a median annual pay in that range for Managers in transport and distribution roles. The dashed line marks the national median.

Based on sub-regional area data. Want a precise figure for your area?

About Managers in transport and distribution

Managers in transport and distribution plan, organise, and co-ordinate the activities and resources necessary for the safe, efficient and economic movement of passengers and freight by road, rail, sea and air transport.

Typical Tasks and Duties

• plans the optimum utilisation of staff and operating equipment, and co-ordinates maintenance activities to ensure least possible disruption to services
• co-ordinates the transportation of passengers, the movement, handling and storage of freight in transit, and reviews space utilisation, staffing and distribution expenditure to determine future distribution policies
• ensures that regulations regarding hours of work, the licensing of crews and transport equipment, the operational safety and efficiency of equipment, the insurance of vehicles and other statutory regulations are complied with
• ensures that harbour channels and berths are maintained and liaises with ship owners, crew, customs officials, dock and harbour staff to arrange entry, berthing and servicing of ships
• supervises day-to-day activities in a railway station
• arranges for maintenance of airport runways and buildings, liaises with fuel and catering crews to ensure adequate supplies and resolves any complaints and problems raised by airport users

Entry Routes and Qualifications

Candidates are recruited with a variety of academic qualifications and/or with relevant experience. Entrants to management trainee schemes offered by larger companies will require GCSEs/S grades, A levels/H grades, a degree or other equivalent qualifications. Off and on-the-job training is provided. Professional qualifications are available and may be required for some roles. NVQs/SVQs in a number of relevant areas including supply chain and operations management are available at levels 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Related Occupations

Salary data is sourced from official UK pay datasets and updated periodically.