If you’re interested in traveling for work and viewing the United States from the driver’s seat, truck driving might be a great career path for you.
There are several reasons why you should consider truck driving in 2018, including the four listed below.
1. Truck Drivers Are in Demand.
A key factor people look at when deciding which type of education to pursue is the industry demand. Here are statistics that may help you decide if the trucking industry is right for you:
- Market growth: The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates 6% industry growth from 2016 to 2026. This rate matches the national average for all occupations. [1]
- Driver demand: There’s a truck driver shortage in America. [2] Truck driving is a challenging job with long hours. Some individuals may find this ideal, but since not everyone does, there is a high demand for truck drivers.
- Number of drivers: The U.S. heavy and tractor-trucking industry employs roughly 1.9 million people, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. [1]
2. An Education for Truck Driving is Short.
If you’d like to start working as soon as possible, spending a few years in a classroom might not be appealing. Luckily, truck driving doesn’t require long schooling. Consider the following when looking into truck driving education:
- Program length: The MTI CDL Training Course is only 20 days long, which is significantly shorter than a four-year degree and many other trade skill programs. The CDL Training Course consists of 168 clock hours that are spent in a combination of classroom, range, road, and remedial training. MTI also offers a longer, more in-depth Professional Truck Driving Program.
- Schooling on your schedule: Many people pursuing secondary education have current jobs they must work around. To adapt to your busy schedule, MTI offers both day and night CDL training classes.
- Classroom and hands-on learning: You’ll get a combination of classroom education and on-the-road practice during the MTI CDL Training Course. We know that you need to do more than sit in a classroom to learn how to drive a commercial vehicle. Part of your coursework will include 16 hours of range work and 16 hours of over-the-road training. The longer Professional Truck Driving Program includes additional on-the-road hours.
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3. You Can Work on Your Own Schedule.
Having some level of control over your schedule can be a great benefit. Here are some things to consider about a truck driving career:
- It’s not your typical 9-to-5 job: In the trucking industry, you’ll often get varying hours and routes due to a variety of delivery circumstances. You won’t feel like you’re working an office job.
- You don’t have a boss over your shoulder: If you’re seeking a little freedom, the truck driving industry can offer that to you, as the bulk of work for truck drivers is relatively autonomous.
- You can have a variety of work locations: The truck driving industry can offer you the choice of doing cross-country, regional, or local work. Many companies even have routes that travel into Mexico or Canada.
4. Truck Driving Can Offer Competitive Salaries and Opportunities for More Compensation.
If you are considering education to become a truck driver, here are some financial elements to consider:
- The amount you take home: As of May 2017, the median annual wage was $42,480 for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. [3]
- You have some control over how much you make: You may have the opportunity to earn additional income for more demanding schedules and routes. High-traffic routes that have longer drive times can pay drivers more per mile.
- There are steady wages regardless of hours worked: Unlike many jobs, truck drivers usually don’t get paid less per hour if they decide only to work part-time. Since long-haul drivers, in particular, tend to be paid per mile, your hourly rate won’t be affected if you decide to work less than full-time.
