Whether you’re new to trucking jobs or have been on the road recently, you still want to know how to choose the best trucking job for you.
You want to know a great place to start searching for jobs and know which are the highest paying ones. Learning about various high-paying truck jobs and the requirements you need to have can help you become a truck driver.
Why Choose a Trucking Job?
Trucking jobs are in high demand because of a shortage of truck drivers on the road. Last year, there was a vacancy of 51,000 truck driver jobs. While this would imply slower delivery times for customers, it’s a better opportunity for people to apply as a truck driver.
The high demand for trucking jobs means there is also job security for truck drivers. Truck driving is also a career that pays well and has great benefits. So, if you see this as a way of life, then a trucking job is for you.
Thankfully, the best place to start your job hunting is right at your fingers through our site. Many companies post job openings on their sites. With thousands of trucking jobs available, you can find the right trucking company to suit your needs and location. We currently have a big list of trucking companies from various locations. To think that many truck drivers are retiring, this means that there are new job openings every day. Searching the trucking companies listed on our site and applying when there’s hiring are great steps toward securing a trucking job.
The Best Truck Driving Jobs
Truck drivers are high in demand. This gives drivers more flexibility in choosing a high-paying truck job that appeals to them. Most of the positions require extra certifications and experience. Learning about them and preparing yourself for these positions can help you with the trucking job in the future.
Tanker Hauling
Tanker hauler is one of the best and highest paying trucks driving jobs. In this type, drivers haul liquids like water, soda, milk, gasoline, etc. This may seem simple, but it requires training, experience, and endorsements to drive these trucks. Liquid loads can be dangerous to transport. You can earn an average salary of around $70,000 annually.
Oversized Load Hauling
For oversized load drivers, one needs to travel with an escort for extra safety on the road. This helps you earn an average income of $50,000 to $90,000 per year.
Hazmat Driving
Hazmat driving guarantees you to make extra income. To land this job, you need to make sure you have your H endorsement. Getting X endorsement at the same time is better as it allows you to haul hazardous liquid loads.
This is the first place to start your search.
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Dump Truck Drivers
Driving a dump truck is another great option that pays well. It takes a lot of skill and benefits you to have more time at home.
Mining Truck Drivers
Mining truck drivers need to acquire additional skills and undergo training programs like the Civil Transport Mining (CTM) training. However, drivers of this kind of job used to work long shifts.
Transport Driving
Hauling other cars and vehicles from one location to the other is a job of transport drivers. This can include motorcycles, luxury cars, and more. Since these are valuable loads, one can earn an average salary of $55,000 per year.
Ice Road Trucking
Ice road trucking is very dangerous. The trucker of this type of job needs to navigate through the ice and snow. At times, they have to make repairs to their trucks in case it breaks down accidentally.
Ice road truckers drive their wheels over frozen lakes and rivers to deliver loads. This job looks challenging and boring but is one of the highest paying truck jobs. The trucker here can earn an average yearly salary of a typical truck driver in just a few months. Ice road trucking pays anywhere from $20,000 to $250,000.
Team Driving
Working with another driver means you can drive for longer miles and get your routes faster.
Also, spending more time in the trucks means you’re making more money. The average income for team drivers is around $50,000.
Instructor
Being an instructor is different from any of the trucking jobs here as it doesn’t involve any driving. If you have good experience behind the wheel and have a perfect safety record, you may want to start teaching other drivers. Trainers can earn anywhere from $50,000 to $85,000 per year.
OTR Driving
Over-the-Road trucking means transporting goods from coast to coast across the US. OTR drivers are compensated well with a salary ranging from $40,000 to $50,000. To become an OTR driver, you need to be at least 21 years old and start the training.
Owner/Operator
If you are confident and want to do trucking on your own, then becoming a truck owner/operator is the best one for you. This may be more complex at some point but, you can make more money if you do it right. When done successfully, you can earn $141,000 on average in a year.
Maintaining Balance with a Trucker Lifestyle
The best trucking job doesn’t always equate with the highest payment. What matters here is to have a good work and life balance. The lifestyle of a truck driver requires you to spend time away from your home, long periods of inactivity while driving, avoid unhealthy food, and work for longer hours.
So, before working as a truck driver, weigh first your priorities in life. I know it’s difficult to maintain a better work/life balance with the lifestyle a trucker has. But, it is still doable – eating healthy, getting enough sleep, and exercising can help you maintain that.
To stimulate your mind, listen to audiobooks and podcasts. This is a great way to spend time inside the truck. Doing good habits into your truck driving routine will get you to a more fulfilling lifestyle as a trucker.
Now, when you have a day off, make sure to also set time for family and friends. Give the full attention they need during that time.
Choosing the Best Truck Driving Job for You
The best trucking job is one that fits your lifestyle. Getting the requirements and working hard to gain experience will prepare you for a high-paying job down the road. To learn more about the CDL requirements, check out this article.