Did you know the United States is currently in the middle of a truck driver shortage? If you’re interested in a career on the road with a pretty short training period but good job and salary prospects, long-haul truck driving might be a great option for you.
What Truck Drivers Do: Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. Long haul trucking is any form of trucking where drivers spend the night away from home, as the journey is too long to be made in a day, often involving driving through multiple states.
Work Environment: Working as a long-haul truck driver is a lifestyle choice because these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. They also spend a lot of time alone, and they get to see a lot of the country.
Pay: The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $47,130 (in May 2020).
Job Outlook: Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030, with a large number of job openings expected. As the demand for goods increases, more truck drivers will be needed to keep supply chains moving.
How to Become a Commercial Truck Driver: Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. They must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
- Find certificate programs for commercial truck driving (from this link, enter your city and state or ZIP code to find local programs)
- Find certifications related to commercial truck driving
- Check state licensing requirements for commercial driving (from this link, select your state to find licensing information)
Learn more in the Occupation Profile of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
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