First, and perhaps most important, the trucking industry is a service industry that has been deregulated by the Federal government. Trucking companies (and truck drivers) earn money by providing service to customers with many drivers paid entirely on the basis of their productivity. Moreover, this service must be provided in an extremely competitive environment.
Companies (and drivers) who fail to provide satisfactory service don't survive for long. Not everyone who's considered a career in trucking is well suited to meeting the demands of customers. Those who aren't might do well to consider a career other than trucking.
Another point to keep in mind is the fact that truck drivers usually work beyond the direct supervision of managers or foremen. While it's often nice not to have the boss looking over our shoulder, not everyone is comfortable having to make independent decisions on a continuing and everyday basis.
Common sense tells us that a job in trucking will not satisfy everyone. Trucking is blue-collar work, the workplace can sometimes be a bit rough and tumble, and the work itself can be demanding. Yet the very points that make trucking unappealing to some will make it the perfect career choice for others.
As for potential earnings, for your first year of full time employment following the close of your company training you can on average expect to earn somewhere around $36,000 to $38,000. As with any career, as you gain experience you should expect to earn more. It's not uncommon for drivers with a few years of experience to earn $45,000 or more.
In the past few years benefit packages have improved considerably. As you compare companies you should look closely at what's being offered, including the benefits. Companies today need drivers like never before and they're willing to pay the price to find and keep the good ones. As always, when evaluating job opportunities in trucking it's a good idea to look beyond the hype. If someone offers you something specific such as a particular run or some sort of guarantee ask that the offer be put in writing.
