Truck Driving Job

Truck Driving Job

This article was last updated Monday, May 21, 2018

Is a Truck Driving Job a Good Career Choice?

Is a long-haul, over-the-road (OTR) truck driving job still a viable career choice? Are there trucking jobs currently available? The short answer to both appears to be a resounding yes. Currently, the trucking industry is experiencing a driver shortage of anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 drivers that is projected to grow to 500,000 by 2014. In a time of high unemployment and so many cutbacks in other industries, that's a pretty darn big opportunity.

However, that doesn't mean just anyone is capable of being a truck driver or has the temperament or skills to handle the job. Many long-haul drivers claim extended periods away from home and unpredictable schedules as reasons for leaving the industry. But if you have the desire, the drive and the ability to handle the requirements of a truck driving career, it can be very rewarding in many ways and it looks like trucking jobs are going to be available, and will continue to be available, for many years to come.

Truck driving is now a very popular career choice with over 3 million men and women driving big rigs for a living. Interested in a career with job security? Well, almost 80% of all consumer products are currently delivered by truck.  At the same time, the industry is having problems finding qualified drivers. Many trucking companies reject a high percentage of driver applicants because the drivers lack the necessary qualifications.

On top of that, there is a large amount of driver churn in the industry. Add that all up and, providing a driver gets quality training and keeps their performance up, truck driving sounds like a career with pretty excellent job security for the foreseeable future.

Above all, the driver shortage comes at the worst time as the trucking industry is hauling more freight than ever, up to an expected 13 billion total annual tons by 2016. The good news is that pay and benefits should continue to increase for quality truck drivers working both local and long-haul truck driving jobs.

It is true that a truck driving job can be somewhat stressful, with the amount of stress varying dramatically by the type of trucking job and what is important to you. As in all things, different trucking positions have different challenges including:

Truck driver on the road

As an example, if home time or getting paid by the hour is important to you, then you might be happier with a local truck driving job. If you'd rather be paid by the mile, have the ability to make more money, are not concerned about home time or want to see the country, then an over the road (OTR) truck driving job would suit you better. In either case, there are currently many opportunities for all types of trucking jobs and you can help to mitigate that stress with some planning.

Bottom line, if you are interested in a career that will start at $35,000 for the first year, give you the ability and the control to grow your earnings each year and give you the chance to travel all across the country, then a truck driving job is the career for you.