How Much Money Do Truck Drivers Make?

While the IT industry promises the development of driving AI, the truck driving industry does not seem to stop growing. The majority of cargo is moved through the country via trucks and, according to different sources, the number of truck drivers in the USA is somewhat between 1.53 million and 3.36 million. The room for error is huge because there is not enough reliable data—information from, say, Insider and the ATA is just too different. Nevertheless, one look at those numbers tells us that no Cab GPT will overrule the industry soon. This alone makes truck driving jobs attractive. To be sure it is worth it, let us see how much money is there for those who want to try a new career path. American commercial drivers receive payment per mile. One mile costs about half a dollar. Driving 4,000 miles weekly, the driver will earn about $2,000. However, if you glance at any job-finding site, it is easy to find positions that offer $3,000 to $8,000.

Can you raise money right after truck driver training?

You can start working right after you have finished your truck driving school, passed your DMV test successfully, and received a freshly-made CDL. However, your career path is merely starting there. Your actual profits will be affected by the following aspects:

• The class of CDL you got your professional truck driving training for. If you have a B-class license, the vehicles you are allowed to operate are restricted by their size and capacity. The most profitable CDL jobs require having an A-class license.
• Routes. Long and remote routes are a driver’s headache but they bring good checks for exactly this reason. If you are not afraid to drive far from home or struggle with icy roads, your courage will surely be rewarded.
• Specific skills and certificates. If you know something that your colleagues do not, like operating oversized cargo or how to approach hazmat hauling, you automatically become more valuable as a worker.
• Company type and unionization. Being in a union gives you protection and better job conditions. And some companies just care about their image and workers’ wellness more than others—if you found one, try to stay there.
• Skill and excellent driving record, and those will not come overnight. Basic skills you will get during your truck driver training but the real experience can be only earned on the road. And your driving record will mirror how fast you learn and how responsible you are—two things that your future employer will be interested in.

What CDL jobs are the most profitable?

The truck-driving industry does not differ much from its peers in terms of approach to human resources. Skilled and responsible workers who strive to become better and are not afraid of additional liability will be sought-after and, therefore, can negotiate higher salaries. Let us see some examples:

• Driving in a private fleet or for a white-glove delivery company. These enterprises have incredibly high standards their workers need to comply with. You will also have to do better than your competition which is harsh for such positions. But working there is prestigious and profitable.
• Hauling hazmats, delicate, or oversized loads. This type of work requires additional skills and pretty specific knowledge, not just of driving, but also of the law.
• Company team driving. Having another driver paired up with you will allow you to cover longer routes in lesser time, thus, making more money. The job will demand some soft skills, however, and is not for those who want to stay close to home.

And getting to the best part—the mentioned positions can offer you up to $100,000 per year! So as you can see, determination and enthusiasm can take you far anywhere, and the OTR industry is no exception.

How to find a good truck driving school in the USA?

If you are already determined to receive truck driver training and wonder what training facility should you choose, definitely check out Start CDL. This school guarantees you the best learning experience, and comfortable schedule, and will ensure you graduate a skilled and successful specialist. Some details on what Start CDL can promise you:

• Failing-proof training system. Since 2015, over 6,700 students have received their CDLs here, and you will not become the first exception. Unlike many schools, at Start CDL you proceed to exams when you are confident behind the wheel.
• Flexible training hours that provide you an opportunity to get as much practice as you need.
• Timetable, adaptable to your own needs. You can learn, work, and still squeeze sleep and free time somewhere in between.
• A budget hostel for students who live in another state (the school is located in Philadelphia, PA).
• Traning courses for both B and A CDL classes, manual and auto gearbox, plus renewal and upgrade when needed.
• Over 7 years of teaching and limitless dedication to helping you become a valuable job candidate.

In about a month, you will become a professional truck driver with good career perspectives. All you need to do is these simple steps:

1. Contact Start CDL. You can do this with the help of their online contact form or a website chat, through socials, via an e-mail, or a plain phone call. Do not hesitate to ask any question that bothers you—the manager will be happy to help you.
2. Begin and finish their training program.
3. Pass a DMV exam. As we mentioned above, in Start CDL, you will not be pushed for the finals until you feel ready for this, so do not worry, you got this.
4. Wait 10 to 14 days till your CDL is printed and pick it up in the mail or in person.

Getting a new profession may sound scary and the hardest thing in any task is beginning. So do not be afraid to begin your professional truck driving at Start CDL to launch into a promising career!