With DEN as one of the world's busiest airports and a strategic highway network, transportation connects Colorado to national supply chains. Students work in airport operations, trucking, warehousing, rail, and logistics — seeing real economic impact daily.
Handled 82.4 million passengers in 2025 and anchors aviation jobs including ramp agents, operations coordinators, maintenance technicians, and customer service roles. Aviation is visible, growing, and hiring year-round.
From warehouse associates to logistics coordinators to CDL drivers, Colorado transportation employs nearly 200,000 people. It's one of the most accessible pathways for high-school graduates.
Many transportation roles start with a commercial driver's license or logistics certificate from a community college. No four-year degree required to launch — just training, testing, and a willingness to work.
Start as warehouse associate, move to supervisor or logistics analyst
Transportation rewards reliability and skill-building. Warehouse, driver, and ramp roles connect to dispatch, fleet management, supply-chain analysis, and operations leadership.
The statewide system supports smaller regional airports, aviation maintenance, fueling, cargo operations, and flight training — spreading opportunity across the state.
Veterans, retail supervisors, warehouse workers, and people from manufacturing, military and public-sector logistics often transition into transportation leadership roles because inventory systems, customer service, Excel, routing, dispatch tools, safety compliance and punctuality are hugely portable.
Keep Colorado moving with careers in trucking, warehousing, and supply chain management. Critical infrastructure sector with strong job growth.
Annual openings
23,813
10-year growth
+15%
Pathway roles
40
About this pathway
Transportation Hub:
Busy, well-connected airports and our location at the crossroads of interstate highways and rail lines make Colorado a natural hub for transportation.
Significant Workforce: Colorado has 16,700 Transportation companies with almost 200,000 employees with an annual payroll of $13.4 billion.
Setting a Foundation: Colorado's excellent transportation companies and infrastructure provide a foundation for all other industries to receive the goods they need and ship the goods they produce in a cost effective and timely manner.
Key Assets: Colorado has 956 miles of Interstate highway, 146 miles of rapid transit network, 3,000 miles of Class I railroad track and 80 airports.
Roles in this pathway (40)
Salary ranges are career-ladder estimates. Occupation pages show unique job postings where available.
Role
Track
Level
Typical education
Salary range
Aircraft Cargo and Baggage Handler
Technical
1
High school / GED
$34k–$46k
Automotive Body Repairer
Technical
1
High school / GED
$51k–$69k
Automotive Glass Installer/ Repairer
Technical
1
High school / GED
$39k–$53k
Automotive Service Attendant
Technical
1
High school / GED
$32k–$44k
Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment
Technical
1
High school / GED
$34k–$46k
Customer Service Agent
Technical
1
High school / GED
$42k–$56k
Driver
Technical
1
High school / GED
$26k–$35k
Entry-level Drivers
Technical
1
See role page
$0k–$0k
Entry-level Freight
Technical
1
See role page
$0k–$0k
Experienced Passenger Service and Safety Jobs
Technical
1
See role page
$0k–$0k
Flight Attendant
Technical
1
High school / GED
$44k–$60k
Freight Mechanics, Technicians and Operators
Technical
1
See role page
$0k–$0k
Freight Movers and Loaders
Technical
1
See role page
$0k–$0k
Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engine Mechanics
Technical
1
High school / GED
$43k–$58k
Parking Attendant
Technical
1
High school / GED
$32k–$43k
Passenger Attendant
Technical
1
High school / GED
$30k–$41k
Passenger Service Agent
Technical
1
High school / GED
$34k–$46k
School Bus Monitor
Technical
1
High school / GED
$32k–$43k
Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur
Technical
1
High school / GED
$33k–$45k
Air Technicians
Technical
2
See role page
$0k–$0k
Bus Drivers, School
Technical
2
High school / GED
$42k–$57k
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Technical
2
High school / GED
$46k–$63k
Commercial Pilot
Technical
2
High school / GED
$95k–$129k
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
Technical
2
High school / GED
$51k–$70k
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Technical
2
High school / GED
$79k–$107k
Rail Car Repairer
Technical
2
High school / GED
$70k–$95k
Subway and Light Rail Operator
Technical
2
High school / GED
$58k–$78k
Technicians/ Mechanics
Technical
2
See role page
$0k–$0k
Airline Captain, First Officer or Pilot
Technical
3
High school / GED
$147k–$200k
Aviation Safety inspector
Technical
3
Bachelor's degree
$50k–$67k
Avionics Technician
Technical
3
High school / GED
$74k–$100k
Mid-level Freight
Technical
3
See role page
$0k–$0k
Mid-level Truckers
Technical
3
See role page
$0k–$0k
Instructor
Technical
4
High school / GED
$0k–$0k
Transportation Inspector
Technical
4
Bachelor's degree
$50k–$67k
First-line Supervisor of Transportation and Material-moving Machine and Vehicle Operators