There has been a very big, yet not that talked-about issue in the United States that has been going on for the last couple of years, and said issue is the fact that America is facing a pretty substantial shortage of abled bodies to work as truck drivers. There seems to be quite a few reasons as to why so many people just refuse to even consider working on this industry, which all in all in a very much needed one as trucks pretty much move everything or at least they are in charge of the highest percentage of materials and goods such as food, construction materials, et cetera that needs to be moved from one point and reach another one.
While the issue might be more nuanced than we’d like to think, it does make you ask yourself why, in an age that is so dependent on moving things around large distances, does the prospect of becoming someone who does exactly just that not appeal to people -especially the younger generation- as much as it should, especially when, because of said shortage, truck companies have taken measures such as high salaries to entice people to become a truck driver?
Well, in this article we are going to list some of the benefits/good things that come with being a full-time professional truck driver, from the more subjective one down to things like the aforementioned yearly wages that some of these companies are offering in America. So then, let’s do just that:
Benefits of being a truck driver
It’s A Profession in Which There Is Always A Demand for Employment
Qualified truckers and transporters are in great demand today, for the reasons that we have already discussed. Also, because it is such a flexible job, companies usually don’t have a problem if you want to change your place of residence, or need to apply for time off. Thanks to this flexibility it is usually not very complicated to work as a trucker or driver in a new city.
Great Flexibility
Few professions are as flexible as those of drivers and transporters. Both in terms of time and location, drivers enjoy conditions and schedules that many other workers would envy, such as people who have the stereotypical boring 9-5 office job where they spent most of their work hours standing in front of a computer constantly doing soul-draining tasks. Perhaps one of the more extreme cases, yes, but remember that jobs like that exist and it could always get better for you somewhere down the line, and becoming a truck driver might just be the thing that improves your life and its quality for the better.
You Get Paid to Travel
While many people pay exorbitant amounts to travel and see the world, truck drivers can enjoy great trips and unique experiences in other places, other cities, other states, and in some cases even other countries! And on the plus side, they get paid for it! It does not matter if the place you have to go to is not one of the most touristy and desired vacation spots. Every place on the planet is unique and has its own beauty, customs and interesting places. Drivers and truckers have the opportunity to visit many interesting places, acquire culture, learn geography and in general, discover a great number of interesting places, travel, -and why not? – have fun and enjoy their trip!
There Is Time for You to Reflect, Listen to Music, Listen to The Radio, Et Cetera
Another great advantage, although not often commented on, is the possibility of travelling and enjoying the trip in a very positive way. While you are travelling you can enjoy your favorite music, take in the scenery, listen to the news or your favorite podcasts, or reflect on life and the future, a pleasant prospect, which professionals from other sectors would very much like to enjoy.
Driving Trucks Through Long Distances Is Not an Automated Job
If you fear for you job safety and think that one day robots are going to take your job then you may rest easy. Truck-driving jobs are immune to that (yet) as AI hasn’t gotten to the point where they know how to drive and park these types of vehicles reliably. As a side note, because of its very nature of course, truck driving is a job that cannot be offshored much like many other jobs such as IT, so there is that as well.
Truck-Driving Jobs Have Become Very High-Paying Jobs
We have talked about some of the benefits of having the job, but what is sure to be one of the things that affects most people’s decision when it comes to actually becoming a truck driver is salary. We’ve already mentioned that America has and has had a deficit of truckers over the past few years, with The Washington Post mentioning in one article in 2018 that the country faces a shortage of around 51,000 truck drivers. [1] We have also said that many companies have taken steps to make it so that new blood enters the truck-driving industry, like increasing wages and such.
Many companies are hiring capable people willing to work as truck drivers and paying them very fair wages. In the Midwest for instance, some truckers are earning upwards of $80,000 per year as a starting salary, with the possibility of earning more as they gain experience and seniority with the company and as a truck driver, being able to earn upwards of $120,000 if you get lucky and of course, depending on the company. However, it is worth noting that this isn’t going to be the case everywhere. Website Indeed.com states that the average truck driver in America earns a base salary of $61,550 per year. [2] With that said though, the prospect to earn a lot of money is always going to be there due to the constant shortage of workers the field has been facing over the years.
How to become a truck driver?
Now’s the as good a time as any to become one. Getting a truck-driving job requires no degree and is relatively inexpensive compared to other careers; all that’s needed is the appropriate training, a driving course, and of course the will to become one to begin with. You can search online for job offers in your area, the different rates and requisites, etc., so that you get the full picture and plenty of options and pick the best one for you.
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2018/05/21/america-doesnt-have-enough-truckers-and-its-starting-to-cause-prices-of-about-everything-to-rise/?arc404=true
[2] https://www.indeed.com/career/truck-driver/salaries
