Truck Driving: A Lucrative Career
There are lots of good reasons for becoming a truck driver—the adventure of the open road, the possibility of becoming your own boss—but one of the best reasons, and certainly one of the most popular, is the lucrative career that awaits professional drivers in America. The trucking industry is highly immune to automation and globalization, two of the leading trends that have threatened so many blue-collar jobs in the United States. Consider some of these facts, figures, and statistics regarding the truck driving profession and you’ll see for yourself why enrolling in truck driving school in Portland is one of the best decisions you can make for your career.
Driver Demand
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of truck drivers in the United States is projected to grow by 5% through 2024. The number of trucks on the road, and drivers piloting them, has not reached prerecession levels, which means motor carriers around the country are looking for qualified drivers to fill their available positions. If you want job security, there’s not many blue-collar careers with a better long-term outlook than truck driving.
Truck Driver Pay
Truck driving is one of the highest paying professions that doesn’t require a college degree. In 2014, the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in the U.S. was $39,520. In that same year the highest 10% of truck drivers earned more than $61,150. In addition to lucrative hourly and/or by-mile wages, truck drivers also regularly receive bonuses.
Career Advancement
Another good reason to enter the truck driving profession is that there are numerous different career paths you can pursue. Perhaps you want to work your way up the ranks at a motor carrier, or maybe you want to become an owner/operator and have your own fleet of trucks, or even eventually become a trainer at a truck driving school—whatever the path you choose, there are many directions your career can take and it all starts with being a truck driver.