Is being a truck driver worth it?

Doing the work that drivers are responsible for.

Pros: Many people love being behind the wheel all day and find great satisfaction in hauling the freight that people use on a day-to-day basis. This pride makes truck driving worth it.

Is driving truck a good career?

Truck drivers earn a high income

Truck driving is a good career for those looking to make a high income without a college degree. On average first year drivers can earn between $50,000 and $70,000. That may seem like a big variance, but income levels depend on the type of driving (IE: flatbed, tanker, teams, etc.)

Are truck drivers making good money?

You can earn $100,000 or more a year as a truck driver. It generally takes a few years, and usually means that you have become a trainer or work as a team driver. Drivers who transition from company drivers to owner-operators often earn more than six figures annually.

Why do truck drivers get paid so little?

Now with combined with low shipping rates for freight, there isn't much left over to sufficiently compensate the driver, thus the low wages. Too much work unpaid. Most drivers don't get paid for all their time worked.

What's the highest paying truck driving job?

The Realities of Being a Truck Driver in 2020 - Is It Still Worth It?

Is truck driving hard to learn?

Truck driving school is hard and its meant to be that way. Do not go into this career thinking it's going to be easy. Whether you've been driving a truck for 4 days or 40 years, the first day you stop learning something new is the first day you become a dangerous trucker.

Is truck driving a stressful job?

Truck driver stress is a real problem. A 2019 survey by CareerCast rated the trucking profession as one of the highest stress jobs in America. We were kind of surprised to see that the survey ranked truck driving as more stressful than professions in masonry, welding and food service.

What is the hardest part about driving a truck?

Is driving an 18 wheeler hard?

Most truck drivers agree that while driving an 18-wheeler isn't necessarily hard, there is a learning curve when it comes to operating such a large vehicle. You need a lot more space to do things like make a turn, back up, or change lanes, and you'll have significantly larger blind spots to adjust to.

What is the life expectancy of a truck driver?

2 Fast Lane blog: "According to the (CDC), the average life expectancy for a commercial truck driver is 61 years.

What are the pros and cons of truck driving?

How much does trucking school cost?

The average cost of CDL training is between $3000 and $7000. Private truck driving schools will, of course, be more expensive. The initial investment into your trucking career can give you a bit of sticker shock. You may wonder how you can afford to pay for your training in order to start making money.

Is driving a truck harder than a car?

In general, large trucks are a little bit harder to drive than cars. This is because they are simply larger. Plus, they tend to sit up higher—so as a driver, you do too. Once you get used to driving a truck, however, it will become much easier.

Is trucking in high demand?

In California, the number of Heavy Truck Drivers is expected to grow much faster than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Heavy Truck Drivers are expected to increase by 15.2 percent, or 24,400 jobs between 2018 and 2028.

Are truck drivers in demand in 2022?

According to an analysis of data accrued by FTR Intel, rising demand spiked spot trucking rates upwards of 24%, compared to January 2021. Furthermore, freight spot load postings increased almost 44% at the start of 2022.

What does the future look like for the trucking industry?

As reported by Redwood Logistics, trucks carry about 70% of all goods shipped in the U.S., and this is expected to grow by 3.4% annually until at least 2023. This heightened demand, coupled with fewer young people choosing truck driving as a career, has caused a shortage of 51,000 truck driving jobs across the country.

How long does it take to get a CDL?

On average, it takes about seven weeks to get your CDL (commercial driver's license) when attending a full-time driver training program. The length of time it takes to get your CDL relies on a handful of factors. It can take as little as three weeks or upwards of six months.

How much is a CDL license?

As we discussed in our previous article, CDL tuition can range from $1,500 to $8,000. Combined with the other costs described above, obtaining your CDL can cost up to $9,000. These costs all depend on the location of your licensing and your training.

How much do semi truck drivers make?

The average Semi Truck Driver makes $59,789 in the United States. The average hourly pay for a Semi Truck Driver is $28.74. The average entry-level Semi Truck Driver salary is $39,000. Highest paying states for Semi Truck Driver are North Dakota ($79,731), New York ($73,897), Wyoming ($79,731) and Montana ($79,731).

Why do truckers get fat?

"For most drivers, the reason why they're overweight or obese has a lot to do with their metabolism, which is related to their sleep cycles, circadian rhythms, accumulated sleep debt and stress," Baleka contends.

How do truck drivers stay in shape?

What are the downsides to being a truck driver?

Do truckers age faster?

How “Truck Driver Face” Develops. As you drive a truck day after day, the right side of your face will be mostly shielded from the sun as the left begins to see frequent, if not constant, sun exposure. This leads to your left side aging more quickly, with signs of thickening skin, thick wrinkles, and premature aging.

Why are truck drivers so unhealthy?

Exercise can be tough to fit in because most of their time is spent sitting behind the wheel. Three of the biggest health problems truckers face today are obesity, sleep apnea, and smoking-related health issues (half of all truckers smoke); all three the results of poor and unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits.