Like the classic Steppenwolf song “Born to be Wild,” if you’re looking to get your motor running and head out on the highway, then a career as a professional truck driver could be right up your alley. It’s an adventurous career that’s a far cry from sitting at a desk for 40 hours a week. It’s also a liberating one. After all, it’s just you, your truck and the open road in front of you as you drive to reach your destination. There’s nobody micromanaging you or watching you over your shoulder. It’s up to you — and you alone — to do what it takes to reach your destination safely and on time.
The aforementioned is a big part of the reason why truck driving has become such a popular career, with some 2 million drivers making up the industry. Here’s a look at five reasons why it remains so popular:
5 Reasons Why Truck Driving is a Popular Career
1. You Can See the Country
In addition to regional trucking routes, truck drivers can also take on cross-country ones, which allow them a unique opportunity to travel and see the country in a way that they may have never seen before. While there often isn’t a lot of time for tourism when you take up a career as a big rig driver, it’s this sense of adventure and exploration that can be a big draw for drivers.
2. It’s In Demand
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the profession is only expected to grow at a clip of 2 percent by the year 2029. However, the industry today is largely composed of aging professionals, so there’s a big push for a new generation of drivers to enter the industry as the current generation ages out of it. The bottom line is that it shouldn’t be difficult to find a truck driving job if it’s a career path you want to pursue.
3. There’s a Lot of Honor in it
If lots of trucks are on the road delivering goods from their origin to destination, it’s usually a really good sign for the American economy. Truck drivers play a big part in that, as goods must be delivered in order to keep supply chains moving. Without trucks and truck drivers, food wouldn’t get delivered to grocery stores and restaurants, medicine wouldn’t ship to pharmacies, toiletries wouldn’t be taken to hotels and life as we know it would look a lot different.
4. It Pays Well and Has Lots of Upward Mobility
Per the BLS, the average salary for a truck driver is $45,260, however, this number doesn’t reflect a daily travel stipend and bonuses that many trucking companies pay out to their drivers for meeting certain deadlines or holding a certain safety record. What’s more is that most companies, such as Veltri, offer a comprehensive benefits package and reward drivers with regular pay increases. The bottom line is that you can make a nice living as a big rig driver.
5. It’s Easy to Get Started
Another nice thing about a career as a truck driver is that it’s really easy to get started. All that’s typically needed is a high school diploma (or education equivalent) and some sort of professional training, which usually lasts anywhere from three to six months and result in students earning a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Becoming a truck driver doesn’t require a college degree and training to become one won’t saddle you with student loan debt after you’ve completed the program. It’s easy to get started.
Contact Veltri Inc Today
For more information on why truck driving is such a popular career, contact Veltri Inc today. As a premiere New Jersey trucking and Pennsylvania trucking company, we offer dedicated trucking, regional trucking and dedicated contract services to our drivers in an environment that rewards continuous improvement and loyalty. Contact us today to learn more about a career as a truck driver at Veltri Inc.