Online Transportation Management Degree in Kansas: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Kansas employs about 1,150 transportation, storage, and distribution managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through the FMCSA and your state motor carrier authority. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare transportation and distribution management programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Kansas
There is no professional license for this role. The regulatory weight sits on the carrier and the operation rather than the individual: FMCSA requirements, hours-of-service rules, drug and alcohol testing programs and the safety rating that follows the carrier. The degree is a hiring signal and a systems education rather than a government-issued credential.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with the FMCSA and your state motor carrier authority that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Earn in Kansas
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers in Kansas earn a median $106,130 per year, below the national median of $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Transportation and Distribution Management Pay and Employment in Kansas at a Glance
| Metric | Kansas | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $106,130 | $107,230 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $79,300 | $65,120 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $92,160 | $82,440 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $133,170 | $146,770 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $164,790 | $194,900 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 1,150 | 221,180 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.56 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 6.1% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Kansas Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Kansas median of $106,130 sits below the national median of $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.56 puts Kansas below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Kansas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $99,220 | 100 |
| Wichita | $97,600 | 180 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Transportation and distribution management concentrates around freight corridors, ports, rail hubs and distribution centers rather than following population.
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Wages by Metro Area in Kansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), transportation, storage, and distribution managers wages in Kansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | 1,300 | $108,270 | $118,260 | $65,530 | $176,290 |
| Wichita | 180 | $97,600 | $104,020 | $70,190 | $151,770 |
| Joplin | 120 | $102,460 | $108,920 | $52,570 | $158,860 |
| Topeka | 100 | $99,220 | $114,070 | $83,040 | $168,340 |
| St. Joseph | 70 | $104,540 | $117,150 | $64,000 | $176,060 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Kansas Metro Areas With Published Data
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do transportation, storage, and distribution managers make in Kansas?
The median annual wage for transportation, storage, and distribution managers in Kansas is $106,130, below the national median of $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $92,160 at the 25th percentile to $133,170 at the 75th.
How many transportation, storage, and distribution managers work in Kansas?
Kansas holds about 1,150 transportation manager jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 221,180, and BLS projects about 18,500 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a transportation manager in Kansas?
There is no professional license for this role. The regulatory weight sits on the carrier and the operation rather than the individual: FMCSA requirements, hours-of-service rules, drug and alcohol testing programs and the safety rating that follows the carrier. The degree is a hiring signal and a systems education rather than a government-issued credential. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with the FMCSA and your state motor carrier authority before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a bachelor's in transportation, distribution or operations management online while working in Kansas?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies the FMCSA and your state motor carrier authority.
What is the highest-paying area of Kansas for transportation, storage, and distribution managers?
Among Kansas metro areas with published data, Topeka reports the highest median at $99,220 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Kansas a good state for transportation, storage, and distribution managers?
On pay, the state median of $106,130 sits below the national $107,230 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.56 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Transportation and Distribution Management programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Truck Driver career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers (SOC 11-3071), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.