Truck Driver Salary – Hit The Road!
Truck drivers are an essential part of the American economy as almost any product purchased in the country was transported by a truck at some point. The driver will be responsible for freight pick up and delivery and may also handle the loading and unloading of freight. A truck driver has many other responsibilities.
He or she will need to ensure all laws are being complied with, maintain an activity log and keep equipment in good working order. The truck driver salary reflects the wide variety of duties that one in this profession may be asked to undertake. Many choose to specialize in a particular field such as long haul trucking or delivery services. With many opportunities to choose from, most can find one that is a perfect fit.
Truck Driver Education
If you wish to obtain employment as a truck driver, you will likely need to obtain a CDL. Those who wish to drive tractor trailers may need to complete a vocational or technical program. Not only do these programs teach driving skills, they also cover vehicle inspection and freight regulations. This will depend on the state in which the truck driver resides.
Some employers will also require this. Driver-training courses which meet Federal Highway Administration guidelines as well as industry standards are offered by the Professional Truck Driver Institute. After completing the necessary training, you may be required to undergo an employer specific training program. This is usually of short duration and covers company procedures and paperwork.
Truck Driver Licensure
A truck driver must be licensed in the state in which he or she lives. If the truck being driven has a gross vehicle weight of 26,001 or more, a commercial driver’s license must be obtained. Those who will be transporting hazardous materials will also need a CDL no matter the size of the truck. A special endorsement is required to transport these materials. If hazardous materials are being transported, the Transportation Security Administration requires that the driver by fingerprinted and a criminal background check completed.
Truck Driver Salary
Your truck driver salary will depend in large part on which type of truck you choose to operate. Light or delivery service drives may expect an hourly median wage of $13.27 while those who drive tractor trailers receive an hourly median wage of $17.92. Local truck drivers are usually paid by the hour while long haul drivers are paid by the mile. Bonuses and commission are often offered and owner/operators may be paid a revenue share. There are many things to consider when you are calculating your truck driver salary so no one number can answer this question.
Job Growth
Job growth for truck drivers is often tied to the success of the economy. So not surprisingly, job growth isn’t at it’s peak right now for this career choice. Overall, jobs for truck drivers are expected to grow at a rate of around 9%. This around average when compared to the rest of jobs in the U.S.
However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. When you look a little deeper, different areas of trucking will experience different rates of growth. For example, getting into heavy tow truck driving is most likely a smarter move over light truck driving. Take a look at this chart from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and you will see the difference in growth rates for specific trucking categories.
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statisitics
Job Description Video
Check out this short video highlighting a day in the life of a truck driver. It gives you a taste of what a truck driver’s daily routine looks like.
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