It is no revelation that the trucking industry is extremely valuable in the United States. Just about everything sold and consumed is transported via tractor trailer. Truck drivers are extremely valuable and are in dire needs all across the country. aside from competitive wages and the ability to drive for a living, there are many more reasons and incentives for becoming a driver. With the right attitude and professional performance, you have the ability to earn a lot of money while receiving numerous impressive benefits for your work. Below are the top 10 reasons for becoming a truck driver.
Income potential:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for drivers in 2016 was around $41,260 per year. This is a relatively conservative figure considering that there are numerous signing bonuses as well as retention and safety bonuses. On average, a new truck driver can expect to earn anywhere from $2,000-$5,000 as a signing bonus. Furthermore, you can also factor in the costs in which you will be saving from not attending college. Since you do not need a two-year or a four-year college degree to become a driver, you will not incur any student loans or potential debt like your other peers. Instead of racking up student loan debt, you would receive free training from your employer as well as earn an impressive salary in your first year as a driver.
Traveling:
The majority of drivers claim that there is no better way to see the country than from behind the wheel of their truck. Consequently, if you are an individual who really enjoys traveling, truck driving is perhaps the perfect occupation for you. The drivers that travel across the country get to experience and take in the beauty and diversity of the United States from the front seat of their truck. Each night, truckers would stop in a different part of the country, then depart from a different section each morning. Many drivers also claim that no two days are the same. Lastly, there is perhaps no other occupation that allows you to see the Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountains, Golden Gate Bridge, Florida Keys, Lake Tahoe, the Brooklyn Bridge, or any other beautiful American landscapes for free as a part of your job.
Job security:
Trucking is actually the most popular occupation and 29 states of the country. As a matter of fact, in over half of the entire country trucking accounts for the majority of full-time working adults. The truth of the matter is that other blue-collar jobs have began disappearing as a result of automation and globalization. However, trucking careers have sustained security and accessibility as a result of the incredibly high demand for drivers. There are a few factors that have intensified the high demand market for the industry including a shortage of truckers, aging workforce and industry growth. Given the fact that 80% of all goods are moved or transported by truck and that the industry is expected to experience a 21% growth by 2020, more and more drivers will be needed. With the abundance of opportunities and open positions, the industry simply requires more drivers. Consequently, knowing that your job is in high demand also signifies that you have the opportunity to elect the right company that best fits your needs.
Benefits:
The majority of trucking companies offer major benefits for all of their employees. While a steady paycheck is awesome, benefits add much more incentives to a trucking career. Most companies offer health insurance, retirement plans and performance pay bonuses to their employees. However, some companies will even offer you as an employee much more such as:
- Paid vacation time
- Paid holidays
- Dental, life and health insurance
- 401(k) with company matching
- Earned bi-annual pay raises
- Flexible home times
- Direct deposit
- Daily pay for food for each trucker
- Loaded and unloaded mileage pay
The majority of trucking companies put their drivers first before everything.
Consequently, most drivers are given a personal cell phone number that can be used to get in touch with the entire management staff and maintenance shops of the company. Leslie, perhaps one of the main benefits of becoming a driver is the fact that most companies will offer their drivers the potential to be home every weekend with their friends and families.
Freedom:
Being a trucker is perhaps unlike any other occupation out there. This is because you will be meeting new faces, seeing new things on a daily basis, being your own boss and have a flexible schedule. As a driver, you will not be punching a time clock, attending long boring meetings, constantly reporting to a boss, sitting behind a desk, dealing with policies or answering emails and phones all day. If you are a long-haul driver, you will experience sunrise and sunset on a regular basis from a modernist designed truck that is suited for your comfort and safety. Although every driver is required to follow the hours-of-service rules, drivers are still in the position to call their own shots or set their own schedules. Not only do you have a ton of freedom as a driver, you also provide freedom to the rest of America. This is because truckers transport an abundance of freight, allowing other Americans to have clean drinking water, access to medication, healthcare and even money.
Easy training access:
All across the United States, commercial driving programs, community colleges and other trucking companies offer classes to earn a CDL license. The training can often be completed in as little as 4 to 6 weeks with many programs actually assisting with tuition costs and job placement upon class graduation. On average, trucking school fees range anywhere from $2,000-$7,000 depending on the desired license class and endorsements. However, there are many individuals who simply do not wish to pay for their training and consequently, realize that there are numerous trucking firms who provide paid training after they hire you. This is often in exchange for an agreed fixed-work commitment contract. This paid training program is dependent upon your driving and work history as well as a criminal background check. With the need and shortage of truck drivers, the chances of being approved for paid training is extremely high. Lastly, learning how to drive a truck is not as difficult as it may seem. When you’re getting trained, a licensed and experienced driver will accompany you and walk you through all of the steps, tips, and tricks that will help in your future driving career.
Community:
Almost every driver would describe their occupation as a “lifestyle” rather than an ordinary job. This is largely contributed to the fact that drivers have a unique type of occupation which sets them apart from the rest of the workforce. Drivers often prefer to be alone in their trucks driving each day while experiencing something different on a daily basis. At rest stops, drivers will be able to interact with each other while talking about their day as well as things they might have seen that day. In the industry, you will be able to have a bond with other drivers unlike any other profession. Lastly, truck driving is one of the only jobs that you can easily communicate with other drivers on the road via radio which is installed in each truck. Some drivers even enjoy joking around and having some fun on the road during their drive with other drivers.
Solitude:
Some individuals simply enjoy peace and quiet. When you decide to drive a truck for a living, you get the time to think and reflect as a part of your job as opposed to ordinary boring jobs. For example, there will be no gossip, no one micromanaging you, no one watching you and trying to correct you, no one distracting you, you will control your environment while driving and much more.
Staying fit:
Although the majority of driving jobs don’t require you to load and unload the products, there are some that do. Many drivers want a driving job that will help them to stay in shape. Consequently, they will find a job that requires them to load and unload furniture, drinks and other types of products. This is not a path that a lazy driver wants to pursue though since loading and unloading can take up to a few hours to complete.
Easy to qualify:
In the majority of cases, an individual can land a driving job in as little as three months, and sometimes even sooner. As stated, there is a shortage of drivers all over the country, indicating that companies are willing to hire you as soon as possible if you qualify. Many companies will even pay for you to get trained and start working as soon as possible simply because they need you.
