Sorry if this is a VERY beginner question - is there a way for me to set a default list view for certain types of transactions independently of one another? I'd like a default list view for sales orders, a different list view for work orders, a different one for inventory adjustments, etc.

Yes, you can create a saved search and tag it as being available as list view, then you have to go into your roles and under the searches subtab you can set your created searches as default for each record type. You can also check the restricted box to make that the only view they will see.

That's what I though too @Todd Juenemann but I only have the option to select "transaction" as the record type. Specific transaction types don't seem to be there.

I guess I did not realize that as I am using to Sales Orders, and I see that you can only add 1 record type. Well that sucks.

It does indeed...

Filter your saved search by transaction type such as "Sales Order" maybe?