The average salary for a truck driver in the United States is just under $80,000 per year. [[1]]

 

If you’re a company team driver, you can make up to $0.75 per mile while getting up to 6,000 miles per week. A company solo driver peaks around $0.64 per mile, but owner-operators can make up to $1.79 per mile.

 

Local and regional drivers typically make less than OTR drivers, but every circumstance is slightly different. If you love the idea of being on the open road as a job, evaluating the pros and cons of being a truck driver can help you decide if this career move is right for your needs.

 

What Are the Benefits of Being a Truck Driver?

 

1. You have access to higher entry-level pay.

The average starting salary or compensation package for a driver with a new CDL is between $20,500 and $47,000 in the United States (2021 figures). [[2]]

 

Since the only requirement for many fleets is to have a license, the need for other documented skills, certificates, or degrees is often minimal.

 

With that said, you can often make more as a truck driver when you have other skills to offer. Those with a college degree usually start with a higher wage.

 

2. It doesn’t take long to qualify.

Since your primary requirement is to hold a commercial driver’s license, you can start looking for jobs as soon as you earn that CDL. Some programs even pay for it while offering a small wage so that you’ll have secure employment once you’ve finished.

 

The actual timeline you’ll face when studying for a CDL depends on the make and model of the vehicle you want to drive and any specific training that is needed. Compared to the time and cost of attending a four-year institution for an undergraduate degree, you can get to work relatively quickly.

 

3. You get paid to travel.

If you decide to take on long-distance contracts, you can enjoy seeing the entire country while getting paid to do your job. Although you won’t have as much time for sightseeing as a tourist or if you take a vacation, it can be exciting to see something new every day.

 

That feeling of being an explorer can be a freeing experience. If you don’t like getting stuck in the same routine week after week, it might be worth checking to see if getting a CDL is right for you.

 

4. It provides employment that comes with independence.

Although you’ll have logs to manage and on-shift time to keep organized, truck drivers have more self-direction on setting their hours than the average worker. You’ll have people direct you where to go or tell you when to arrive, but they’re communicating by radio or other methods instead of being in the cab.

 

When you’re on the road, you get to plan the route, figure out your breaks, and create the path toward the success you want to follow.

 

5. You can be home each night.

CDL drivers don’t always take long-haul contracts. Many agencies have you running routes near your home. You might drive a milk truck, manage feed for farmers, or even drive a school bus while earning a reasonable salary.

 

If you love driving, a local route that lets you spend time with your family could be the way to go. There’s even the possibility of becoming an owner-operator under those circumstances.

 

6. It’s a chance to make new friends.

When you start working with the same people at the dock or stop at the same restaurants, truck stops, and other spots, drivers can develop a professional network and friendships. You’re also communicating with others who followed a similar career path while driving from Point A to Point B. [[3]]

 

It can get lonely sometimes on the road, but the same thing can be said of virtually any career.

 

7. You can still develop a routine.

Just because you’re driving across the country doesn’t mean that you won’t start developing a routine for each route. Many drivers stop at the same locations along the way because those surroundings provide a sense of familiarity.

 

When you know what to expect at the end of your day, it’s much easier to enjoy the benefits of being on the open road.

 

What Are the Disadvantages of Being a Truck Driver?

 

1. There is still a financial cost to consider.

Depending on where you decide to enroll for your CDL training, the cost could fall anywhere between $3,000 to $10,000. If you were to enroll in a public college in your state, that amount is equivalent to one or two years of classes toward an undergraduate degree.

 

You can find out what to expect locally by checking with your DMV for the following fees.

 

• The CDL itself – Class A, B, C, and so forth.
• Road testing.
• Skills test.
• Application costs.
• Additional endorsements, such as doubles, HAZMAT, and more.

 

Those costs are set and added on to whatever tuition costs you’d pay to earn your CDL. Although some employers pay this expense, it often requires a contract that says you’ll drive for that agency for a specific time or refund part or all of the cost.

 

2. Drivers are away from home more than other workers.

Even if you drive a local route, you’ll be away from home for most or all day. That makes it harder to respond to school emergencies, attend games where your kids are playing, or facilitate a quick run to the grocery store.

 

Local routes have more flexibility than OTRs, but the commitment to your job can keep you away from home during those important moments. It’s not unusual for drivers to have their relationships strained, including those within the family.

 

3. It can get lonely on the road.

Unless you’re driving as a team (which means another person is in the rig with you), it’s just you and the open road while working. Some people can spend up to three weeks running their route by themselves. Although you’ll get social contact at truck stops, restaurants, and other places where you take a break, it’s not the same experience as spending time with your family and friends.

 

Truck drivers speak with each other over the radio, on the phone, or by text. Your family can get a hold of you much more easily today than they could 20 years ago. Still, some people are love having time to themselves on the road, but it isn’t suitable for everyone.

 

4. You could face higher insurance costs and other expenses.

Owner-operators have more freedom than other drivers, but that benefit comes with extra work. They’re often responsible for finding contracts, working with customers, and handling the administrative side of this industry. That also means they’re accountable for the insurance costs of their rig.

 

The average insurance policy ranges from $250 to $400 monthly, which means about $5,000 per year comes out of your income. Fuel is another significant expense, which can be up to $6,000 per month.

 

If you lease the truck, the cost could be up to $2,500 per month. Buying a new one can set you back $150,000 or more.

 

5. It can still be a stressful job.

Life on the road can seem easy when everything works as it should, and the traffic cooperates. If you add in a problematic consignee, a bit of snow over a mountain pass, and a series of passenger vehicles that brake-check you, this job can wear on your nerves.

 

You’ll want to make a plan with your employer if you end up getting sick while on the road. [[4]]

 

That might include staying six feet away from all dock workers and others whenever possible. Commercial drivers are typically protected only if a state of fatigue or an illness jeopardizes the safety of themselves and others.

 

6. You don’t always get the chance to have a good meal.

The options you’ll find at truck stops for food aren’t always that great. You might not have a restaurant in the community where you need to spend the night. Although a sandwich from the convenience store might get you through to the next break period, it might not be the healthiest choice.

 

Some drivers have energy drinks and carb-filled snacks to fill the time while driving. You must make conscious choices to eat right and exercise while driving, even when there aren’t many options available. Relying on fast-food full-time could lead to other health problems later.

 

7. Insomnia can be a problem for some full-time drivers.

When you’re driving a truck, your schedule isn’t always set. That means your circadian rhythm can get thrown off by the responsibilities of each run. If you aren’t comfortable falling asleep at a new location each night, getting the rest you need for the next day on the road could be challenging.

 

Are You Ready to Pursue Getting a CDL?

 

When you have a CDL, you have options.

 

A commercial driver’s license can open many doors for your career. Although a lot of people become local, regional, or OTR drivers, several non-trucking jobs are also possible.

 

With a CDL, you can drive a bus, become a highway maintenance technician, or work as a construction equipment operator. It even helps to have a commercial driver’s license if you want to be a terminal manager one day. [[5]]

 

If you’re thinking about changing careers or starting a new one, obtaining a CDL is the first step toward creating the life you want. When you’re ready to proceed, we’ve got what you need to have a successful experience.

 

[[1]] https://www.indeed.com/career/truck-driver/salaries

[[2]] https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Entry-Level-Truck-Driver-Salary

[[3]] https://www.ntbtrk.com/news/entry/trucking-411how-do-truckers-actually-communicate-with-each-other

[[4]] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/long-haul-trucking-employees.html

[[5]] https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/cdlrequired.html