Some people do not find the prospect of driving a truck for a living to be very appealing. And truthfully, it does take a certain type of person to contend with the demands of this particular profession, including long hours spent alone, dealing with traffic and weather conditions, navigating unfamiliar territory, sleeping in a new place every night, and of course, complying with rules and regulations pertaining to the trucking industry. But like any job, there are just as many positives as there are potential negatives. Driving a truck also frees you from the constraints of an office job, like being chained to a desk and computer day after day, staring at the same, gray cubicle under flickering fluorescent lights and wishing you knew what the outside world looked like in the sunlight. Okay, that’s a bit dramatic. But there are definitely perks to truck driving jobs for the right person. Here are just a few you might want to consider.
- Good Pay and Benefits.
The amount of pay you receive as a driver depends largely on the type of driving you do, the amount of experience you have, the miles you log, and whether or not you drive a company truck or you own your own rig. That said, truckers can earn an annual salary of anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000, although the high end is often reserved for teams of drivers (perhaps husband and wife teams or partners of some sort) that split the driving duties in order to move shipments faster than a single driver can accomplish, legally speaking. Many trucking companies also provide a per diem stipend for meals/lodgings, although drivers that pay these costs themselves can write off a percentage on their income tax filings. And of course, most companies provide health benefits for employees. It’s not bad for a profession that only requires a high school diploma.
- Job Options.
Just because you drive a truck and work for a trucking company doesn’t mean you have no say in where you get sent or which jobs you take. Some drivers are partial to local runs while others prefer long-haul trips. And you can look for positions that offer you the distances you prefer. If, for example, you have a family and you want to remain close to them, you may take on local or regional jobs that rarely keep you away from home overnight. And you generally have some flexibility in your schedule, depending on your goals for jobs, mileage, and pay.
- Travel.
Perhaps one of the biggest draws for those looking for a career in the trucking industry revolves around the prospect of travel. As a driver you’ll get to see all kinds of new places. If you’ve always wanted to travel around the country and see the sights, this could be one way to go about it, especially if you are relatively unattached in your personal life. And if you own your own truck, to boot, you can take a job in one city, spend a few days exploring your drop-off point, and then pick up a job that brings you back home or takes you to a new locale.
- Security.
No matter what’s going on with the government or the economy, products still need to be transported from point A to point B. And if you happen to have a history of reliable behavior, a track record of successful deliveries, and a clean driving record under your belt, you’re just the type of truck driver that most companies would be happy to hire, not to mention keep around. So in terms of job security, you’re always likely to find work as a trucker.
- Work from Anywhere.
No matter what city you choose as your home base, you can check out the listing on TruckerClassifieds.com and likely find jobs for drivers in your area. And if you like to move around a lot or you have a spouse who must move frequently for work, this is one occupation that can move with you.
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