Is Trucking a Good Career?

Trucking can be an incredibly rewarding career; from the money to the freedom of the open road, there are plenty of reasons people choose driving, and even more reasons they stick with it for many years.

High starting salaries, opportunities to specialize, and extremely competitive pay scales make the CDL test seem like a very good deal, especially in today’s climate.

Truckers may even be able to get the cost of their schooling reimbursed, such is the demand for their talents.

If you’re after a change of scenery any time soon, or you’re just curious about what a career in trucking has in store, here are some top reasons to take it on.

Access to Work

Thanks to some world-class online platforms known as load boards, finding work has never been easier for a trucker.

Take Shiply, for example, a highly accessible and overwhelmingly popular platform for finding shipping work in the blink of an eye – it’s a huge time-saver for truckers, and it tends to ensure a consistent flow of work.

There’s nothing quite like job security in the world of today, but it’s quite hard to come by unfortunately. Many have turned to trucking in an effort to establish a form of security, particularly since it’s such a transferrable skill to possess.

Higher Salaries

According to Indeed, the average base salary for a truck driver in the United States is now $69,377, a great wage that is sure to increase based on how much experience you can rack up over time.

Wages can skyrocket to $130,000, depending on who you’re working for. While it can be expensive to get the qualification in the first place (probably between $3000 and $10,000), the starting wage and the projected wage for the future make this investment worth it.

Plus, there is a good chance that the school itself will reimburse you for the cost of the course, or that your new employee will pay off these costs when you get your first trucking job.

Independence or Teamwork?

Trucking offers both independence and teamwork; whichever you prefer is obtainable as part of your day-to-day.

If you want to work as part of a fleet and you’re interested in team driving, you can do that, and if you’re more interested in acting as a lone wolf and finding your own work via load boards, you can do that too.

The Open Road

Many people decide to choose trucking in an effort to see more of the world, especially if they go for long-haul driving or cross-country driving.

The open road can be an enticing prospect, as it represents freedom and independence, important elements for some, particularly after some intense COVID restrictions.

Driving across the USA can be a perspective-altering experience, and you’re likely to meet some interesting characters along the way, form meaningful relationships, and of course, make some money while you’re at it.

It can be a lonely, strenuous, and tiresome job at times, but it’s so much more than just a job, and for many, it’s a way of life.