Many people take on the role of a professional truck driver for their own reasons. Whether they need the income, or they just like driving, becoming a truck driver has many benefits. In the content below, we list out the top nine reasons you should become a truck driver.
1. Truckers Support the Economy
Drivers are the backbone of American commerce. Whether transporting food, lumber, or medical equipment, over 80% of the products Americans purchase are delivered by trucks. As a professional truck driver, you contribute to supporting the everyday lives of Americans.
2. Rewarding Income Potential
A great reason to become a truck driver pertains to the substantial income potential. In the trucking industry, a first-year truck driver earns an average annual salary of $35,000. Additionally, some companies may also offer signing bonuses, safe-driving bonuses, and raises the longer you stay with the company. As for trucking company owners and operators, you can receive an annual income of about $184,803.
3. Truck Driver Benefits
Although steady paychecks may attract you to the industry, truck drivers can also experience benefits packages from their employers. Benefits can include health insurance, retirement plans, and performance pay.
Additionally, some trucking companies may pay for the miles their van drivers accrue and offer a paid percentage to flatbed drivers. For example, flatbed drivers could earn between 24-32% of what a customer pays your company. Furthermore, since it is incentive-based, drivers can earn a better payment percentage with a more efficient performance and satisfied client.
4. Job Security
When assessing the current unemployment rate, you could assume that many industries appear to be failing – except truck driving. No matter the state of the economy, America will always rely on truck drivers to deliver goods and transport necessary materials.
Truthfully, there are more trucking jobs in demand than there are available truckers to supply the need. Over the next ten years, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted that truck driving jobs may grow by five percent. Therefore, transportation companies are always looking for reliable, responsible, safe drivers.
5. Multiple Career Options
Perhaps you’ve been laid off from your current job. Maybe you are looking for a change of pace and ready to try something different. Regardless, professional truck driving proves to be a wonderful career and will provide you with excitement and a sense of accomplishment.
Advancement Opportunities
It is rare to find another industry that offers this kind of job security and quantity of career advancement opportunities. No matter where you live, it’s always possible to get a professional truck driving job. Even in the event you want to relocate, trucking proves to be a dependable career option. Below are just a few avenues in which you could advance your truck driving career.
• Trucking Company Executive
• Driver Manager
• Commercial Driving Instructor
• Recruiter
• Logistics Management
• Owner Operator
6. Easy Access to Training
Many individuals learn best through “hands-on” experience. During your Class A CDL training, you’ll receive lessons about road safety and effective truck driver procedures. These courses are available nationwide through numerous trucking companies, community colleges, and commercial motor vehicle programs.
Four Weeks vs Four Years
Because truck driving doesn’t require a college degree, you no longer need to worry about the cost of a college education. Often, a truck driver can complete the entire training in as little as four weeks. Some programs help with tuition assistance and job placement after graduation. Would you rather pay for four years of college or complete just four weeks of motor carrier safety training?
Affordable Training Rates
Depending on the license class you wish to obtain, trucking school fees range between $3,000 and $7,000. However, federal grants, loans, tuition reimbursement, and other financial aid are widely accessible to help pay for your CDL training.
If you cannot afford it, a trucking firm might offer to pay in exchange for your commitment to work for them. However, approval for driving programs is often based on your driving record, work history, and criminal background check.
7. Community
Many truckers describe their job as their lifestyle. No one truly understands what you experience every day on the job quite like another truck driver. Much like a military unit, commercial drivers form a closely connected community.
When beginning your new career as a professional truck driver, you’ll meet other trainees with the same goals in mind. Therefore, you’ll begin building a new community with your instructors and future coworkers.
8. Freedom from the Desk
Are you looking to break free from punching in, attending long meetings, answering emails, and dealing with office politics? One of the greatest reasons for becoming a truck driver is that you will never be stuck behind a desk! Prepare for meeting new people, seeing new things on a daily basis, experiencing a flexible schedule, and being your own boss.
Say Goodbye to the Office
No one likes having the boss constantly looking over your shoulder and watching that you complete your tasks and reporting. How does escaping the office sound? As a professional truck driver, you’ll only receive support from your team via phone or on-board dispatch.
Although, the career of a truck driver doesn’t free you from all accountability and responsibility. You must follow your company’s “hours of service” rules. However, you’re also in a position to set your own schedule and time spent driving.
What full-time desk job offers you that type of freedom? As a professional truck driver, your company will rely on you to complete the task at hand.
9. Travel Along the Open Road
How many jobs pay you to drive through scenic national parks, mountains, the countryside, tropics, and city skylines? Most truck drivers agree that the best views of the United States are from behind the wheel of their big rig. As a truck driver, you have a front-row view of the country, all from the comfort of your truck. Additionally, you can get paid to travel while listening to music or an audiobook and taking breaks whenever convenient.
Help Your Trucking Company Thrive with Advanced Capital Commercial
Have you recently started your own trucking company? At Advanced Commercial Capital, we are dedicated to helping your trucking company thrive. When dealing with the high demand for trucked deliveries, we tailor our solutions to the cash needs of the trucker.
We understand the unique needs and challenges trucking companies face. From paying for fuel to truck maintenance and payroll, it’s hard to wait on delinquent customer payments. To get in touch, contact us today at 855.465.4655 or via our online contact form! We look forward to walking beside your company and watching it thrive.