While there are pros and cons to every kind of job, the benefits of becoming a truck driver are hard to deny. From the freedom of the open road to the security of a long career, truck driving jobs have a lot to offer independent-minded Americans.
So whether you’re looking for your first career job or a new road in life, here are the top four benefits of becoming a truck driver to keep in mind.
- Good Pay and Steady WorkMany professional truck driving jobs offer a handsome salary from the very moment you start, with wage increases the longer you drive. Additionally, there’s little fear that truck driver jobs will be disappearing any time soon. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor anticipates that trucking will make up 43% of the growth in logistics jobs over the next few years, and employment of heavy- and tractor-trailer drivers is expected to increase another 5% by 2024.
- Quick, Inexpensive TrainingWhile you do need a CDL license to become a truck driver, the courses and training you need take only weeks or months instead of years. This reduces the initial costs of getting your foot in the door, and many education companies may even be able to connect you with trucking companies looking for new drivers.
- Be Your Own BossWhile drivers still have a dispatcher to answer to and goods for which they’re responsible, one of the greatest benefits of becoming a truck driver is the ability to make your own schedule, plan your own routes, and work your own way. Driving enables a lot of autonomy and freedom to do things as you see fit.
- See the CountryOf course, one of the main things that attracts people to trucking is the chance to explore the open road and see the landscape from coast to coast. Most drivers are expected to cover about 500 miles a day, 2,500 miles a week, and 125,000 miles per year, which allows you to see a lot more of the greatest country on earth. For those who like to stick closer to home, though, there are still regional trucking jobs that can keep you near your family.
Still wondering how to become a truck driver? Find a local company or training school to learn more about what might lie on the road ahead for a career in trucking.
If you have any questions, or if you’re looking for a dedicated trucking job, contact WJW today.