Entry level, large-load truck drivers make somewhere around $35,000 a year. Given the level of education required, this makes truck driving an extremely appealing for those who need a job. But what is the market like for truck driving jobs?
Pretty good, actually. Authorities say that trucking companies need you just as much as you need a job, and almost all you need to do is get one measly certification. This contrasts the sweeping fear that autonomous vehicles will soon run the industry out of business.
If you’re interested in learning more about truck driving jobs and the current state of the market, read on to start your path to becoming a driver.
The Market For Truckers
Bob Costello, Chief Economist for the American Trucking Association, stated that the industry would be short roughly 50,000 drivers in the start of 2018. That estimate held true, and projections show that the deficit will continue to grow throughout the foreseeable future.
In fact, the American Truck Association estimates that the shortage will reach 174,000 by 2026. Reasons for the shortage are largely cultural, stemming from the image of the truck driver, lifestyle preferences of the modern age, and barriers to the industry.
A lot of effort is being put forth by those in the industry to combat the factors that are leading to the loss of drivers. Representations of truckers in media are increasing, hopefully as a way to improve the general image of the trucker lifestyle. Additionally, companies are boosting incentives to getting into a trucking job.
Increased pay, education subsidies, and more incentives are all working to the benefit of those who are seeking to get into the industry. It’s understandable that people are hesitant about entering the profession, but signing bonuses and improved benefits are doing a little bit to incentivize new employees.
Some General Facts About Becoming a Truck Driver
You probably have a general idea of what it takes to be a truck driver, but you might not have all of the facts. We’ll cover some of the basic requirements of becoming a truck driver as well as some current market statistics.
Education Requirements
In general, there are a couple of different categories of drivers. There are those who drive heavy loads and tractor trailers and there are others who work on delivery trucks. The general rule is that the heavier the load, the more education needed.
That being said, there’s never too much education required. If you’re seeking to drive smaller loads and deliveries, the only certification that you will need is a high school diploma. Pretty nice, huh?
For heavier loads, companies typically require that you have a diploma from a professional truck driving school.
Training
Most training involved with specific truck driving jobs is done on the job when you start. Again, the heavier the load, the longer the training. Typically, heavy trailer drivers are required to train on the job for one to three months. This is paid training of course.
Lighter loads require that you train on the job for one month or less. This is a pretty light training load considering the amount of money that you’ll make as a trucker.
Licensing
When you’re driving heavier loads you will typically need a CDL, or Commercial Driver’s License. These programs are typically a little length, but nothing in comparison to a four-year college degree.
CDL training typically takes around seven weeks and tends to run five days a week with full-time programs. This will depend on whether you choose to enter a Class A or Class B program, the latter taking less time to complete.
Additionally, CDL training can often cost anywhere from $3,000 to $7,000 which is quite the chunk of change. That being said, a lot of companies will cover the cost of your CDL training if you agree to drive for them for an agreed upon amount of time.
Workplace Environment
In most cases, cross-country truckers operate independently, rarely needing to meet with another co-worker in person. Aside from pick ups and drop offs, you work on your own and must be comfortable being alone for a period of a few weeks at most.
If you are driving a delivery truck you may be required to lift heavy materials regularly, contributing to a risk of injury. Additionally, you may sometimes be required to arrive to work at very early hours of the morning.
Salary Outlook
The median annual salary for all truck drivers is around $30,000 dollars. That being said, there is a lot of variation within the field of truck driving, and many positions can earn you a lot more than the median across the board. Heavy tractor-trailer drivers earn an average of closer to $40,000 a year.
That number doesn’t necessarily take signing bonuses and education reimbursement into account. If those things are considered that number could easily rise up to $50,000 on the first year. Drivers who work for electrical equipment and component companies earned the most in the field, coming in at nearly $70,000.
Telecommunications industries pay the second-most, coming in at around $62,000 dollars a year.
Finding Employment
Because the industry currently has such a demand for drivers, there aren’t a lot of barriers to finding employment as a truck driver. A simple search on an online job website will likely give you a number of options in a variety of fields of truck driving.
One thing to consider while you’re trying to find positions is that there are a number of companies that will cover the cost of your CDL training, and may even compensate you for the time you spend in that training. You won’t always find these right off the bat, and it may help if you have driving experience, but it never hurts to look.
Start Looking For Truck Driving Jobs
If you’re in need of information about truck driving jobs or anything related to getting started as a truck driver, there are online resources out there to help you get on your way. One of the first steps you should take is to find viable locations to take your CDL certification.
When it comes to CDL information, we have everything you need.
