America Needs More Truck Drivers
The allure of the open road draws is irresistible: the unique experiences driving provides are exciting. If you love hitting the road and get paid potentially a lot, then working in the trucking industry just might be your ideal job.
Truck driving isn’t for everyone, but it can be the perfect profession for people who love to drive. And working as a truck driver is one of the best career choices. It’s easy to become a truck driver, and the job is filled with benefits that can’t be found in other career paths. Anyone, from any walk of life, can become a truck driver – and here’s why you’ll want to consider getting behind the wheel today.
Career Stability
One of the most important factors to consider when picking a career is stability. Certain jobs can change from one month to the next, leaving you wondering how you’ll pay your bills or plan for the future. A stable career can minimize uncertainty and stress – and that’s exactly what truck driving does for those seeking a consistent, steady job.
Truck drivers are always in demand. According to theAmerican Trucking Associations, nearly 71 percent of all freight tonnage is moved on trucks. That’s a staggering number and one that’s unlikely to decline. While other shipping methods exist, trucks are the lifeblood of the shipping industry, and as long as things need to be shipped, truck drivers are needed.
Another positive aspect pointing to career stability for truck drivers is the fact that truck driving can’t be automated. Automation is one of the leading causes of career loss within certain industries, but even as self-driving cars become a reality, it’ll take many years for the technology to reach the maturation needed to replace human drivers.
Job Flexibility
Everyone need balance and a bit of flexibility. Whether you’re looking for a job that lets you balance family with work, or need a job that offers you unique hours, seeking flexibility can really limit your job prospects. It’s impossible to get a job working in an office if you’re only available at night, and most careers won’t even consider you for employment if you can’t be available most days of the week.
Luckily, none of these problems exist for truck drivers. Truck driving is a job that needs help at all hours of day and night, and people can find employment during the hours they’re free. Most companies also have flexible scheduling for truck drivers, giving you the ability to schedule your driving around your own free days. Truck driving is the perfect career choice for people with commitments that keep them from following a rigid schedule.
Freedom
One of the best things a job in truck driving offers is freedom. Sure, truck drivers have bosses and supervisors just like any other job, but the interaction with superiors is much more limited than in most other career fields. Once a truck driver receives a schedule and set out on their route, it’s just them and the open road. This freedom is ideal for those looking to minimize the stress and workplace oversight that can accompany other careers.
Competitive Pay
Believe it or not, a career in truck driving can be very lucrative. According to ZipRecruiter, a long-haul truck driver can make anywhere between $57,000 to $70,000 per year with the average long haul truck driver salary being $66,000 a year in the United States. PayScale estimates a short haul truck driver can make anywhere between $14.58 to $24.94 an hour, with the average being $18.76 an hour for short haul drivers.
CNBC states that the median income for people age 25 to 34 is $776 weekly and $40,352 yearly. This means short haul truck drivers will likely earn an average income while long haul truck drivers will earn much more than a traditional employee. Taking these numbers into account, truck driving jobs offer very competitive pay.
Great Benefits
Each company offers its own benefits package, and these benefits packages are usually extended to their drivers. Long haul drivers are in short supply, and trucking companies have increased incentives in order to attract drivers. These incentives usually involve a generous benefits package that covers dental and medical. While some companies in other industries have all but eliminated their benefits packages for employees, the demand for qualified truck drivers has led to the opposite within the trucking industry. If you’re looking for a generous benefits package, a job as a truck driver may be your best option.
Easy Entrance
You don’t need a college degree to become a truck driver. This can save you tens of thousands of dollars and years of your time, making truck driving a great career for people who wish to save money and forgo a degree. In order to become a truck driver, all you need is a commercial driver’s license – which you can get by attending truck driving classes and passing a test. Taking a course at an accredited truck driving school will increase your chances of getting hired and has the possibility to increase your pay when you do get hired.
Become a Truck Driver and Explore New Opportunities
There are many careers you can pursue, but so many of the best job choices take years of schooling and years of experience before you reach the point where you receive decent compensation for your work. A career in truck driving doesn’t have either of these downsides. In fact, a truck driving job can be an exciting opportunity that provides you with stability, offers great pay, and gives you the career you’ve been seeking. If you want a job with the potential for good pay and great benefits, then you need to consider a truck driving job.