Trucker jobs make up 45% of all jobs in the world of industry. Another 25% are comprised of transportation-related employment. Trucking is one of the top choices when it comes to a good salary. The job security it provides is also unbeatable. As long as there is a need for deliveries, which there seems to be no shortage of, there will be a need for trucker jobs.
One of the perks of this industry is the pay, often topping $100,000 for husband and wife teams. Depending upon how long you have been doing trucker jobs, the pay varies. Experienced truckers can make $65,000 or more per year. Entry-level truckers can make around $30,000 a year depending on where they were trained.
Conditions Associated with Trucker Jobs
The conditions that truck drivers must be able and willing to endure include bad weather, traffic, long rides by themselves, and the monotony of the road, which is sometimes quite conducive to falling asleep. It is sometimes a lonely job, but for the right person it can be the perfect profession.
Trucker jobs include a whole set of conditions that other occupations do not. The weather and traffic are sometimes two of the trucker's worst enemies. They can often prevent loads from being dropped off on schedule.
Licensure Requirements
In order to legally operate a truck, you must a) have a CDL (Commercial Driver's License) and b) be at least 21 years old to get a HazMat license. The CDL will be good in the state in which you get it and it will change over to a 50 state one when you reach your 21st birthday. It is not required that you take any type of training for trucker jobs. However, you still have to take the written test to get a CDL. This test will include sections on highway safety and the different parts of a truck.
Requirements for employment are not out of reach, usually only a high school diploma is needed. A commercial license must be obtained for the truck in every state in which it is driven. If you are a carrier of hazardous materials, you must be fingerprinted and will be required to pass a background check.
Benefits of Trucker Jobs
The good news about trucker jobs is that some trucking companies will assist you in getting your CDL. When you take one of their training sessions, the cost of the school as well as any licenses will all be taken care of for you, depending upon which training school you choose. The requirements for obtaining a license must includes proof that you have never had a revoked or suspended license.
When your training is complete and you are employed, you can begin to pay back what was spent on getting you ready for your trucker career. The whole amount will not be deducted. Instead, they will allow you to pay off a little each month over the course of a couple of years until they have recouped their money.
This helps those who may be interested in trucker jobs but do not have the money to go to school or obtain the licenses they need to get started.
Trucker jobs are enjoyed by many for the freedom. They do not have to have direct supervision as most of the time they are miles from bosses or anyone to which they would have to answer. The expression ‘freedom of the open road' would apply here.
The improvements that have been made on the trucks themselves has had a major effect on truckers. They now have many features that help them to relieve the boredom and beds in which they can get a couple hours sleep. Satellite links are now available so conditions of the highway can be checked. In the event of a traffic pile-up or accidents with fatalities, the highway can be tied up for hours. Having various modes of communication is one of the most important tools a trucker can have.