Perks of Becoming a Professional Truck Driver

With the current shortage of truck drivers in America, more trucking companies are offering salary increments and more perks to attract experienced truck drivers. Though the job has some downsides, trucking provides many benefits, especially if you love traveling and time alone.

What's more, you only need a class A commercial driver's license (CDL) to become a truck driver in America — which you can acquire after attending a driver-training program for about seven weeks. Read on to discover some perks of becoming a professional truck driver in America.

You'll Have a Flexible Work Schedule
Unlike the regular 9-to-5 job, truck drivers have the freedom to plan their hours. Ideally, a truck driver will choose the stopping points along the route, but they can rest whenever they feel exhausted.

Also, since the resting spots are not pre-determined, truckers can stop at any location. This freedom enables the truck drivers to enjoy interesting places they probably could never visit if they worked elsewhere.

You'll Have a Decent Salary
With the ever-increasing cost of living globally, salary is now a crucial factor when looking for a job. Due to the shortage of professional truck drivers, most companies are willing to offer higher salaries for experienced truckers.

While you may not earn much as an entry-level driver, most companies will offer pay rises when you gain experience and start traveling for more miles each month.

You'll Easily Find Work
Trucking can be a good career choice if you value job security. The trucking industry is currently booming, and the employment of truck drivers is projected to grow 6 percent between 2020 and 2030, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Therefore, if you become an experienced truck driver, your possibility of getting a job is higher than that of others working in typical jobs. Also, while most other jobs will require some years of experience for non-entry jobs, most trucking companies are willing to hire drivers soon after graduation.

Some truck driver training schools partner with carriers who employ their students as soon as they acquire their CDL.

You'll Have New Experiences Every Day
Constant and predictable jobs become boring quickly, but a job with new experiences is fun. Since you will be driving across cities and the countryside, truck driving offers numerous opportunities to experience new sceneries and the cultures of various cities and towns.

In addition, unlike a typical job where you spend most of the time with your coworkers, trucking offers an opportunity to interact with different people every day.

You'll Have Numerous Growth Opportunity
As a new truck driver, you may not have numerous opportunities. However, your earning potential and available opportunities increase as you gain more experience in the field. For example, even if you start with a low-paying company, you can quickly get a job at a top carrier with higher standards for drivers when you gain some experience.

Alternatively, you can buy a truck and start working as an owner-operator, where you work directly with the customers. Your owner-operator business can also grow to a level where you own a trucking fleet that serves numerous suppliers.

While it may have some disadvantages, trucking is a good career choice, especially if you don't have a college degree. You only need a class A CDL and a good driving record to become a truck driver, but the job comes with all the above advantages. However, you should choose a reputable commercial trucking school to gain the skills required for the job.

At Commercial Trucking School, we have friendly staff, flexible training schedules, and payment plans for varying budgets. Contact us today to learn more about our services.