Becoming a truck driver is the best choice for people without a degree as well as those with high qualifications.
The continuation of mobility and supply chains relies on the trucking industry, and as time passes, a shortage of professional truck drivers sounds the alarm.
Following the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the industry needs more than 2.6 million professional drivers as of June 2022, when more than 1,500 commercial road transport companies were surveyed across 25 nations in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.
Five High-Paying Truck Driving Jobs
If you want to pursue a job as a well-paid truck driver, the following top 5 will interest you.
PRIVATE FLEET
Some companies have their fleets. One such company is Walmart, which owns a fleet of trucks. They give you one of the highest-paying truck-driving jobs across the United States. As a company, they offer truck drivers $70,000 to $85,000 a year.
The private fleets of these companies also require a driving history, including no preventable accidents, serious violations, minimum movement violations, and criminal records, all of these requirements. All of these demands are already made by high-paying driving jobs.
Ice Road Truck Work
This is one of the other best truck-driving jobs. The position provides drivers a service fee of $20,000 to $75,000. Plus, it’s even harder for them to find a job as TV shows glorify those jobs.
Driving on icy roads, extreme temperatures, rough road conditions, and extreme winter storms also present job challenges and dangers.
Tanker or Liquid Transportation
Transporting dangerous products such as gasoline, corrosive, and highly explosive liquid products can bring you good profits. Driving jobs while transporting hazmat materials pay far more than the average driving salary.
You may need to have a TWIC card. Drivers are not only hailing hazards but also exposed to chemical fumes when harmful chemicals are emitted.
Owner-Operator Position
Some truck drivers would rather be their bosses and start their own trucking companies. If this interests you, you can make a lot of money. Whether you’re an owner-operator with a rental trucking company or an independent owner-operator, you can find happiness in either. Although owner-operator jobs are high-paying truck driving jobs, there are far more responsibilities associated with truck ownership.
While there are several hefty fees to factor in, you’re probably making a lot more than most drivers when it comes down to it. You may also spend significantly less time on the road, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage for some. However, if you execute it correctly, the rewards are pretty good.
According to Indeed.com, self-employed drivers currently earn an average of $221,000 a year — a lot of money, to say the least!
OVERSIZED LOAD
Some trucking companies can offer you the job of transporting oversized cargo. They may have some carriers who are more skilled at shipping large products like vintage cars or other items. Some of these companies may require you to send the mined products from the mine and can also provide you with a substantial sum.
These truck driving jobs will allow you to enjoy all the lucrative options in the field of truck driving. These high-paying truck driver jobs can make you rich enough to support your truck chain and keep going. This is their profit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some common questions that pop up in everyone’s mind. We’ve compiled some answers for your convenience. Let’s take a look at it.
What is the salary range for a truck driver?
Truck driver salaries range from $45,000-$60,000
Is the fuel tanker driver job paid well?
Yes, tanker jobs usually pay well. However, a lot depends on the freight company hired. Because there is more risk involved and it requires more skills and expertise, the salary should be higher. They often pay for delays, write-offs, and layovers, resulting in higher compensation rates.
Why do private fleets pay truck drivers more?
Private truck fleets often pay truckers more, but they also have higher hiring standards. They may look for more experienced and capable drivers than the usual dry goods drivers.
So which truck driving jobs are more lucrative than others?
Trucking jobs require a higher skill set and are more dangerous than typical truck driver’s careers, such as tanker jobs, owner-operator (more financial risk and responsibility), and ice road trucking, to name a few.
How much do truck drivers make?
Truck driver earnings vary by geography, type of equipment, and level of expertise. Drivers with full-time employment earn an average of $45,000 to $60,000 per year. Drivers can earn $70,000 or more, depending on the organization and a long track record of safe driving.
Drivers who are willing to take more endorsement training and tolerate increased risk or time spent in remote locations can earn far more than average, as we’ll discuss below.