With all the talk of driver shortages and the challenges of finding parking spots or managing the long-haul logistics, many people wonder if a CDL is a career choice worth making. Although the pay is above-average with most carriers and the lifestyle is something many people enjoy, this employment opportunity does come with a few sacrifices.

 

If you’re driving across the country, that means you’re not spending time with your family. You’re missing baseball games, soccer practices, and even chances to laugh with friends.

 

In return, CDL drivers receive more freedom with their employment. There’s an opportunity to travel, see different parts of the country, and be part of the trucker community.

 

For so long, this profession was dominated by men. In recent years, that has changed as more women choose to drive. Many of them have risen to become the best at what they do in their industry.

 

Women in Trucking Brings Gender Diversity to Transportation

 

For more than a decade, the nonprofit Women in Trucking Association has addressed the obstacles that women face when trying to break into the trucking industry. That process includes advocating for flexible work arrangements, inclusive cultures, and fair compensation. [[1]]

 

Even with those efforts, women still only comprise about 10% of the total driving population. [[2]]

 

For some, becoming a truck driver fulfills a personal destiny. Regina Robinson is one of those women, owning Prime Time Logistics, LLC, in South Carolina. She’s also a trucker.

 

“There is something about being on the road,” Robinson told WCBD News. “I’ve always been fascinated with trucking and logistics. I remember being a little girl just seeing the trucks on the road – where are they going? Who told them to go there?” [[3]]

 

Leaders like Robinson and those involved with Women in Trucking believe that it is possible to drive toward their dreams. Whether that means staying local to be home more often or being all over the country, it is a financially viable and rewarding career choice.

 

Whether it’s from the financial or driving perspective, women can control what their work as a trucker looks like for them more than ever before.

 

Over 6,500 Women Have Joined the Women in Trucking Association

 

Ellen Voie is the founder and president of the Women in Trucking Association. The group currently has about 6,400 members that operate in ten countries globally. Voie says that their mission is a three-part process.

 

• They want to encourage the employment of women in the trucking industry.
• There is a need to address the issues that prevent women from succeeding as truckers.
• Growth happens when everyone can hear and celebrate the success stories of each member.

 

According to Voie, the percentage of women with gainful employment in the trucking industry has risen from 3% to 10% since 2007. Much of the growth has happened since 2020, especially since having a CDL creates more pay equity opportunities than other jobs.

 

Many women embrace the idea of trucking as another or their next career. Drivers today have worked as accountants, attorneys, and even nurses. One of the biggest draws of being a CDL driver is that someone isn’t always looking over your shoulder to tell you what to do.

 

You’re also not paid a different wage as a trucker because you’re a woman.

 

What Do Women Want as Truckers?

 

When Jesseca Orosco decided to get into trucking, she ditched a desk job that she’d been working at for seven years to get behind the wheel.

 

It happened during the Great Recession. Orosco was laid off in 2009, which meant she transitioned from managing a shipping and receiving office to handling over-the-road logistics.

 

Orosco said her goal was to be a driver for a while to gain experience before going back to the office. It only took one year for her to make the switch to this career for good. “In trucking, I was about to double, triple, and at times, quadruple the amount of income I made,” she told ABC News in 2018. [[4]]

 

“It’s a good industry for anyone trying to start their own business and be in charge of the income they need to make.”

 

Even local driving jobs can take up to 14 hours out of a working day.

 

Respect is the primary issue. You’re out there trying to earn a living, just like everyone else. Being cautious and aware of your surroundings while communicating your preferences can build that foundation.

 

What Are the Biggest Obstacles for Most New Drivers?

 

The most significant obstacle for new drivers is finding the money to get started on the journey of being a trucker. It isn’t always easy to get a CDL in rural communities, and owner-operators must have capital or collateral to purchase a rig.

 

For many new drivers, the initial investment is worth the payoff received. Most women earn between $40,000 to $50,000 right out of CDL school. As an owner-operator, that first year can generate up to $200,000 in revenue before factoring costs like insurance and fuel.

 

Working as a trucker isn’t the only benefit of getting a commercial driver’s license. Before starting that journey, it’s essential to think about what class you need for the work you plan to do.

 

• Class A CDLs certify individuals to drive vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, including towed vehicles weighing more than five tons.
• Class B is necessary to operate a single vehicle weighing over 26,000 pounds GVWR or a vehicle towing another that weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
• Class C is the CDL classification to drive vehicles outside the first two classifications while carrying more than 16 passengers or hazardous materials.

 

Once you’ve obtained your CDL, several potential benefits are worth exploring when looking for employment opportunities in today’s economy.

 

1. Diverse Jobs

If you pursue a Class A CDL, you can open up a broad range of employment opportunities almost anywhere. You can operate livestock carriers, tanker vehicles, tractor-trailers, flatbeds, and more.

 

Depending on what you want to haul, it might be necessary to pass additional driving or written tests to obtain endorsements. The requirements can vary by state, so you’ll need to verify what is required to drive.

 

2. Direct Employment

Many companies provide direct employment for drivers who want to pursue a Class A CDL. That means you can get the license, receive a paycheck, and be guaranteed work once you’ve earned your credentials. Most careers cannot offer that level of guarantee, especially for women and the pay equity concerns that exist in multiple industries.

 

Company-sponsored programs sometimes offer an accelerated completion schedule. Private providers can help you work at a pace more suitable to your needs if you’re trying to start a second career or juggle a busy family schedule.

 

When selecting a CDL training course or academy, look for a school that focuses on a safety-conscious approach to education.

 

3. Higher Pay

When you earn a CDL with any classification, your compensation package is often at or above the median wage for the area. If you obtain a Class A license, you’ll have even more opportunities to earn.

 

Depending on your employment agreement, you’ll be paid by the mile, or the number of hours worked. The rates received depend on the region where you drive, the company itself, and the nature of the cargo.

 

For those earning on a per-mile basis, it’s not unusual to see rates between $0.33 and $0.47 per mile.

 

4. Ongoing Education

Drivers that plan to pursue HAZMAT endorsements and others for specialty vehicles can keep growing their knowledge of the trucking industry, safety procedures, and more. Outside of the endorsements, you’ll need to keep your training current to renew your license.

 

Most CDLs are valid for four years. Some states require additional training to qualify for recertification.

 

Whether you work as an owner-operator, build a fleet, or drive for someone else, the goal should be to create continuously open lines of communication. By learning about the best practices for idling, handling minor repairs, or practicing specific skills, it’ll be much easier to grow into this career.

 

5. High Demand

Approximately 1.5 million people reported employment in the trucking industry in November 2021. That figure is 1% fewer than the numbers reported in October 2019, but it is 15% higher than in 2011. [[5]]

 

Although the American Trucking Association says the industry is short 80,000 drivers, the issue that holds people back involves pay expectations or unfavorable working conditions.

 

In California, over 640,000 people have a Class A or a Class B CDL to fill about 140,000 truck-related transportation jobs.

 

The jobs you can take with a CDL range from driving a bus to hauling produce. You have more control over what to expect with your career, which means you get to pursue doing things you love.

 

Trucking is a lifestyle that isn’t for everyone, but it could be right for you. Although women face many challenges with this work, they are also some incredible opportunities out there! That process begins when you decide to obtain your commercial driver’s license.

[[1]] https://www.womenintrucking.org/our-staff

[[2]] https://www.freightwaves.com/news/number-of-women-behind-the-wheel-soars-year-over-year

[[3]] https://www.counton2.com/news/local-news/driving-their-destiny-more-women-entering-the-trucking-industry/

[[4]] https://abcnews.go.com/US/female-trucker-majority-women-respected-work-column/story?id=54288338

[[5]] https://time.com/6116853/truck-driver-shortage-supply-chain/