4 Reasons to Consider Trucking as a Second Career

Let’s face it. Trucking isn’t considered a glamorous career. Parents don’t think about encouraging their children to grow up to become truckers. The last time trucking was portrayed as glamorous was sometime in the 1970s. However, despite the rough exterior of the trucking industry, a job seeker who looks beneath the surface just might discover that trucking as a second career can provide the income and stability they need.

This is especially true in today’s economy, where globalization and automation continue to fundamentally disrupt and change the economy. Many people are finding themselves downsized or outsourced and thrust into an increasingly chaotic job market.

For a lot of these folks, driving semi-trucks is a good career move for those in need of a career they can quickly enter and advance in earnings. Is your current job situation not making the cut? Here are four reasons why trucking as a second career might be the best move for you.

Why Might Someone Want to Change Careers?

There are many reasons a person might want to switch careers. Sometimes it’s a voluntary move away from a current employer, and other times it’s a decision that comes after losing a job.

Some common reasons people consider switching careers include:

• Variety and Freedom: Many people want to escape the monotony of desk jobs and seek a more dynamic and adventurous lifestyle.
• Financial Stability: Individuals look for careers that offer competitive salaries with the potential for higher earnings.
• Job Security: High demand in other fields ensures job security, attracting those seeking stable employment.
• Travel Opportunities: Some individuals crave the thrill of traveling and exploring new places as part of their job.
• Reduced Stress: People aim to find a more relaxed and independent work environment to reduce stress.
• Personal Growth: Many seek opportunities for new skills and personal development in a different career.
• Better Work-Life Balance: Finding a career that offers more flexibility and time for personal life is a common goal.
• Outsourcing/Downsizing: Some have been let go due to company outsourcing or downsizing and need to find new opportunities.
• Industry Decline: Individuals have trouble finding a job in their former industry due to market changes and declining demand.

Why Consider Becoming a Truck Driver as a Second Career

For those considering a career change, getting into truck driving is an excellent solution that offers unique benefits and experiences that other careers do not. It’s also a job that remains in strong demand, providing a stable and rewarding path for those seeking new opportunities.

1. Ease of Entry

Many careers require years of training, education, and experience before being considered a full-fledged member of the profession. However, someone who chooses a trucking career can become a qualified trucker in six months at most. Many community colleges and truck driving schools offer courses that will prepare you to get a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) in three to six months.

Even better, some companies offer on-the-job training, so you can generate an income even while you’re learning to operate a tractor trailer. Transportation companies often partner with driving schools; some even reimburse fees for training and obtaining commercial licenses. Such a program can save you a lot, so whether or not a potential employer has a reimbursement program is a good consideration before accepting a job offer.

2. A Competitive Salary

Another reason to become a truck driver is that, once you get your feet wet in the industry, you can quickly begin earning more money. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truck drivers’ median pay in 2023 was $54,320, but many drivers earn more than this.¹

In fact, according to statistics from the job search site Indeed, truck drivers with less than a year of experience reported starting at $99,870 a year. Truckers with over 10 years of experience were reported as earning over $120,000. Truckers who own their own rig and act as owner-operators can earn as much as 47.83% more than those working for other companies.²

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) found that truck driver wages saw significant increases in 2021 due to the ongoing driver shortage and rising demand for goods. The median truckload driver earned over $69,000, an 18% increase from the previous survey. More than 90% of truckload fleets raised pay, with an average increase of 10.9%. Private fleet drivers had a median salary of $85,000, and non-drayage owner-operator drivers reported $235,000 median gross revenue.³ These figures highlight the strong earning potential in the trucking industry.

In addition to the salaries, you should consider the money you’ve saved that would have otherwise gone to pay for a two-year or four-year degree. The financial aspect is, therefore, one more reason to think about becoming a truck driver as a second career.

3. Strong Job Outlook

Trucking is a stable industry with solid prospects, and trucking companies are looking to hire. Also unique to the trucking industry are abundant opportunities for retirees. With an increasing number of Americans over age 65 employed part-time or full-time, truck driving affords consistent work once you receive a CDL and are hired by a trucking company.

From 2022-2032, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an employment increase of 89,300 for semi-truck drivers and an increase of 175,700 for delivery and sales drivers.^2,4 Many workers will also need to be replaced as they retire, choose different occupations, or move out of the labor force. Autonomous trucks may one day cut into trucking career opportunities. Nonetheless, the technology and legal framework that would allow this to happen is still at least 10-20 years away, by most estimates.

4. Job Flexibility

One of the perks of being a truck driver is the flexibility the job offers once you get established in the profession. Truckers can live just about anywhere, and well-established professionals can often choose how much or how little they work. A flexible work schedule plus competitive pay and projected job growth? Trucking as a second career doesn’t sound so bad!

Truckers will also have the opportunity to see the United States of America in a way that few other people get to do. You’ll be able to drive through the country’s national parks and observe country and city landscapes. A trucking run can take you cross-country, and then you may get a week off at home before going back on the open road. Even better, with the right commercial truck accessories, you’ll be almost untouchable by road fatigue even during a long haul.

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