Trucking companies facilitate the economy by transporting cargo all over the country. However, people forget that they cannot operate without truck drivers. Are you interested in becoming one? You’ll be pleased to know that even an entry-level driver can earn a reasonable salary without much ado.
There are many vacancies in the market. If you have a faultless driver’s record and are willing to obtain a commercial driver’s license, you can apply. But before you commit your time and availability to any company, you may want to make sure they pay well.
A look at the trucking industry will help you figure out what is best for you.
The trucking industry
Currently, a considerable amount of the US workforce relies on the trucking industry for employment. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were 1,958,800 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in May 2018. However, there is still room for many more workers as there is a shortage.
In 2018, the American Trucking Association announced that there was a shortage of 900,000 truck drivers in the market. Companies are in desperate need of more workers. Therefore, various opportunities exist, and you can avail them.
Do you want a high compensation as a truck driver? As a rule, the higher the demand for trucking jobs in your area, the higher the pay should be. Is your house in a high-paying area?
High paying areas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, there are about 191,490 truck drivers employed in Texas. However, there is still a shortage of oil tanker drivers who can transport material from Texas oil-fields. Therefore, companies may raise the salary to attract more workers. Any applicant should capitalize on this situation and negotiate a good contract. Even the hourly mean wage of about $21.76 per hour is promising. However, depending on the sort of freight and the level of experience required to carry it, the compensation may be higher.
According to the BLS data, there are about 138,380 truck drivers in California as of May 2018. A truck driver from this region is lucky as the mean hourly wage is $22.74. Even an entry-level truck driver position compensates exceptionally well. Some blessed areas have plenty of truck driving jobs bay area
Factors in your locality will affect the likelihood of a high salary. Being settled in some states may help attract higher compensation for you. If you think you should relocate and you can afford it, do so.
The pay matters
Are you wondering whether a job as a truck driver pays well? Well, an average tractor-trailer driver earns an annual salary of about $52,229 as of August 27, 2019. The trucking industry is massive, and trends indicate that the compensation will rise with time. Most drivers are between the age of 40 and 50, so when they retire, the demand for workers will increase.
In this industry, some drivers earn a higher salary because their vehicles are more challenging to drive. Take the example of a tanker. A tanker is typically used to transport liquids or semi-liquids. An accident in such a vehicle can prove fatal, especially if it is full of flammable substances like petrol. Therefore, the average tanker truck driver salary of $61,716 makes loads of sense.
Tanker haulers earn the most and hazmat haulers are at a close second with an annual salary of $61,500. Hazmat means hazardous materials. However, don’t let these averages fool you. Some companies are ready to pay top dollar for experienced truck drivers.
Walmart
Earlier in 2019, Walmart raised the salaries of truck drivers in their fleet to $87,500. They also relaxed the hiring process to bridge the shortage of workers as soon as possible. However, they won’t compromise on the quality of the driver, and, every applicant should be aware of this. To apply a clean driving record and 30 months of driving experience in the past three years is necessary. The job pays well and has many great perks. Isn’t it remarkable that this company also lets you spend two days at home every week?
The best trucking companies
The supply chain cannot work without truck drivers. That is why quite a few companies have improved their wage packages for employees.
Here is a list of some brilliant companies that offer competitive compensation. The base salary can differ depending on the region.
- Walmart
- UPS
- XPO Logistics
- Frito-Lay
- Boasso America
There are many players in the trucking industry. Some of them offer excellent wages and benefits to their workers. The trick to getting a good job is applying everywhere. If you currently don’t have the experience to get a position at a high-end trucking company, don’t lose hope. There is something you can do to control this situation. Take some time, gain the necessary experience elsewhere, and then apply there.
Final thoughts
The trucking industry is massive, and there are many players in the market. However, there is a considerable shortage of truck drivers in the USA. Since distribution and logistics freeze without truck drivers, there is a dire need of hiring more. Therefore, companies are attempting to attract more workers. Californians may be pleased to know that their state is home to the highest truck driver hourly wage. If you belong to Texas or California, you live in an area with a high concentration of truck driving jobs. Getting employed will not be too difficult. Many companies pay well, but Walmart offers a brilliant salary package.
Michelle Joe
Michelle Joe is a blogger by choice. She loves to discover the world around her. She likes to share her discoveries, experiences, and express herself through her blogs. You can find her on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook