The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration says that approximately 5.9 commercial motor vehicle drivers operate in the US and nearly 12 million trucks, rail cars, trains and other vessels move goods over the transportation network.
Even with such a large transportation system, the way we move things is constantly evolving and more and more business is being done online. E-commerce in the United States generates more than $400 billion in revenue and is climbing. Whether carrying a truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL) or parcels, they are being forced to adjust to changes in the retail industry.
The trucking industry is just one part of the transportation sector feeling the effects of these changes. While the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that trucking will transport 18.79 billion tons of cargo by 2040, it appears the length of those hauls is decreasing.
Even with changes, the importance of the trucking industry in the United States doesn’t appear to be losing its place in commerce anytime soon. In 2013, trucking transported nearly 15 billion tons of cargo. By 2040 that number is expected to increase to 18.79 billion tons.
Trucks carry the largest share of freight by value, tons and ton-miles for shipments moving 750 miles or less. Rail is the preferred method for shipments greater than 750 miles. The LTL market is estimated at $35 billion and according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the value of freight moved is expected to grow from $882 per ton in 2007 to $1,377 per ton in 2040.
With the importance of the trucking industry not diminishing anytime soon, here are five reasons to consider truck driving jobs:
- Job Security: Anyone who works, no matter the industry, feels a lot more comfortable when they know they have a stable job. Truck driving jobs provide that and despite an increase in e-commerce, AllTrucking.com estimates there are 3.5 million truckers in the United States. The total number of people employed by the industry is more than 8.7 million.
- Money: First-year drivers can make $50,000 or more and depending on your training, route and what you’re hauling, you’ve got the potential to earn a lot more.
- Passion: As a kid, who didn’t love to play with cars and trucks? If you still have a love of trucks as an adult, give trucking jobs a look.
- Options: Going through truck driving school and taking a truck driver test puts you in the driver’s seat for truck driving jobs, but after gaining some experience on the job, you’ll have plenty of options. Depending on your experience, drivers can earn more money hauling all kinds of things including driving a flatbed truck or driving a tanker truck.
- Freedom: Truck driving jobs aren’t easy and require proper training, but once you’ve passed all the tests you’ve got freedom to hit the open road. You can take a break when you’re tired, drive through big cities and establish a routine that works best for you.
Are you thinking about truck driving jobs or attending truck driving school? Driver Solutions offers tips on finding the right truck driving school and U.S. Truck Driving School gives you an idea of what you can expect should you choose to attend one.