If you are looking for a trucking job, you may not know where to start. This can be true whether you are an experienced trucker looking for a change in your career path or new to the business and wanting to find something that will be a good fit. Though it may feel overwhelming if you don’t know what to look for or where to start, by doing a little research, you can find the highest paying truck driving jobs and begin on a career path that works for you.
The State of the Trucking Business
Before applying for trucking jobs, you should have a grasp of the trucking business. That involves knowing what the highest paying truck driving jobs are. Typically, higher-paying positions involve more risk and skill. However, that does not mean that a new truck driver cannot land these jobs. Additionally, it is important to understand the different levels of education required for each position.
Owner-Operator Jobs
In many cases, one of the best jobs with the highest truck driving salaries is an owner-operator job. Some owner-operators can earn upwards of $200,000 a year. However, this is because an owner-operator is not just a truck driver but also a business owner who is juggling many different roles. Not only that, but the size of the trucking company and whether the owner has other employees can play a role in their salary.
Liquids and Tanker Drivers
If you aren’t interested in being an owner-operator, another option is being a liquid or tanker driver. Though it may not seem much different than being a standard truck driver, driving tankers can come with extra risks. This is especially true when it comes to transporting hazardous liquids like gasoline or propane.
Driving with extra care is essential when you are carrying liquids that are flammable and would be difficult to clean up if there was a spill. As well, with flammable liquids, there is much more potential for explosions to occur, which can lead to injuries and even fatalities. Due to the extra care, knowledge, and skill that tanker drivers need to display, they have some of the best paid trucking jobs and can often earn $85,000 a year or more.
Oversized Load Drivers
Another in-demand type of truck driver is an oversized load driver. After an owner-operator, these truckers tend to have some of the best paid trucking jobs in the industry. Driving an oversized load requires extra skill over driving with a regular-sized load.
Not only that, but some of the types of things that oversized load drivers need to haul, like mobile homes and wind turbines, may require special care. Something else to take into consideration is that those driving with an oversized load may have preset routes they have to take, and may also be limited in the times that they are allowed to drive. Generally, oversized load drivers can make around $70,000 a year.
Team Drivers
If you’d like to earn a high wage and think that driving a truck would be more enjoyable under a company, then being a team driver could be a good fit for you. Team drivers often work with one other driver in the same truck, and work and sleep in shifts so that they can get to the destination faster. In many cases, a team of drivers can get a load to its destination twice as fast as one driver. Many companies will pay extra to have their deliveries rushed, which is why team drivers can often earn higher rates than other drivers. A typical wage for a team driver is around $95,000 per year.
Your Personal Needs as a Trucker
Because there is a wide range of options when it comes to high-paying trucking jobs, you have to know your personal needs to find a trucking job that truly works for you. From experience level to types of schedules, you should think about what positions fit in with your current needs and any future goals that you may have. For example, if you are interested in entrepreneurship, then being an owner-operator could be a good idea. On the other hand, if you feel that you would do better with a fast-paced job and a structured environment, then team driving or oversized load driving could make more sense.
Last Thoughts About Finding the Right Trucking Job for You
Whether you are new to trucking or it is something that you have been doing for a long time, there can be many things to think about if you are seeking a new trucking job. Though it may not seem easy at first, familiarizing yourself with the highest paying jobs on the road can help you to find the right path for you. Reach out to Rev Insurance to learn more about your options and how to protect yourself properly in a new trucking job.
