Transportation and material moving workers

This occupational group includes airline pilots, flight attendants, bus drivers, 

taxi drivers, chauffeurs, locomotive engineers, railroad conducts, ship 

engineers, parking lot attendants, crane operators, recyclable material 

collectors, mine shuttle car operators, and ship loaders.

Cognitive and mental requirements

The qualifications that workers need to use judgment, make decisions, 

interact with others, and adapt to changes in jobs.

In 2023, more than basic people skills were required for 18.4 percent of 

transportation and material moving workers, and basic people skills were required for 81.6 percent.

Table 1. Percentage of transportation and material moving workers with cognitive and 

mental requirements, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Pace: Pause control 31.4 68.6

Interaction with general public 62.6 37.4

Working around crowds 2.4 97.6

Telework <0.5 >99.5

Work review: Supervising others 5.2 94.8

Work review: Presence of supervisor 56.9 43.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey

Education, training, and experience requirements

The minimum level of formal 

education required, 

credentials necessary, on-thejob training, and prior work 

experience necessary for 

average performance in jobs.

In 2023, credentials were 

required for 58.6 percent of 

transportation and material 

moving workers. Prior work 

experience was required for 

29.8 percent and on-the-job 

training was required for 89.2 

percent.

No minimum education was 

required for 60.2 percent of 

transportation and material 

moving workers and a high 

school diploma was required for 39.2 percent.
Occupational Requirements Survey ●www.bls.gov/ors ●orsinfo@bls.gov ●202.691.6199

Environmental conditions

The various tangible or concrete hazards 

or difficulties that are in the vicinity of 

where jobs’ critical tasks are performed.

In 2023, 88.8 percent of transportation 

and material moving workers were not 

exposed to extreme cold, and 98.4 percent 

were not exposed to extreme heat. 

Wetness was not present for 79.5 percent, 

99.2 percent were not exposed to heavy 

vibrations, and 42.4 percent were not 

exposed to the outdoors.

Physical demands

Refer to the physical activities required to 

perform tasks in jobs. The presence and, in 

some cases, duration of these activities 

are published.

In 2023, reaching at or below the shoulder 

was required for 93.2 percent of 

transportation and material moving 

workers and was not required for 6.8 

percent.

Performing work in low postures was 

required for 83.4 percent of 

transportation and material moving 

workers and was not required for 16.6 

percent.

The choice to sit or stand when performing critical tasks was available to 5.4 percent of transportation and material 

moving workers. On average, workers spent 34.8 percent of the workday sitting and 65.2 percent of the workday 

standing.

Table 2. Percentage of transportation and material moving workers with physical 

demands, 2023

Requirement Yes No

Choice of sitting or standing 5.4 94.6

Driving 60.3 39.7

Climbing structure-related ramps or stairs 22.2 77.8

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Requirements Survey