Millennials are becoming the largest demographic in the workforce right now. More and more of them are stepping into the job field every day. Yet, one profession that they seemingly overlook is truck driving. Making this profession yet to be explored by many millennials.
The trucking industry is filled with the older generation. But the industry is also looking for passionate young drivers to fill its ranks. A report from 2017 by the American Trucking Association states that the trucking industry will need roughly 898,000 new drivers. This means almost 90,000 new drivers every year. So, there’s going to be a massive demand for truck drivers.
Although trucking isn’t the first career choice for millennials, it can offer a lot of valuable benefits and even a very satisfying living. In this post, I’ll discuss why more millennials should become truck drivers.
Let’s dive in.
Competitive Salary
The median age of a truck driver in the U.S. is about 55. And a lot of truckers are retiring from driving. As a result, the trucking industry currently has a massive shortage of drivers. Making the demand for truck drivers higher than the supply. This means the companies need to pay you more to hire or keep you.
To begin with, truck drivers get a pretty good salary, but there are also a lot of growth opportunities. Your earnings shoot up as you gain experience and become a better driver.
In 2018, the median pay of a truck driver was $43,680, which amounts to somewhat $21 per hour. According to Glassdoor, as of 2020, the average annual salary of a professional truck driver is around $60K.
A first-year driver usually earns about $35,000 per year. But sign-in bonuses can be up to $5,000. And you also receive bonuses for safety and retention. And as you work for a company for a long time, retention bonuses and compensations increase.
Minimal Job Requirements
In contrast to other jobs, the starting wage of a truck driver is around $35,000 to $40,000. And you don’t need an expensive college degree to get in either.
To become a truck driver, you only need a short training course and a commercial driver’s license. These training courses usually cost around $3,000 to $7,000, which takes around 7 weeks to complete. Which is way cheaper and faster than a 4-year college degree.
The trucking industry is on a desperate lookout for talent. So, most companies don’t require years of training. Rather, you’ll get hands-on experience when working and earning money. You get a job right after graduation that doesn’t have a long, grueling training regimen.
An Escape From The 9 To 5 Work Week
Millennials are known for straying away from the traditional 9 to 5 work, which the older generation adopted. Millennials value freedom and flexibility in their work. So they’re attracted to jobs that challenge the status quo rather than working a traditional desk job. This is where truck driving comes in.
Truck driving is the perfect profession for people who want to fix their schedules and have full control and freedom over their work life. With trucking, you don’t have to sit at a desk hating your job and waiting for the day to end. With trucking, it’s just you and the open road.
Truck driving is unique compared to other jobs. You can have your own schedule, going on adventures across the country. It’s the furthest you can get from a traditional 9 to 5 job. Perfect for millennials.
Travel Opportunities
As a truck driver, your job is to travel the country, delivering goods. So, it’s the perfect job for people who love traveling. You get to spend almost the entirety of your work hour traveling all over North America.
Many drivers will tell you the best way to see the country is by sitting on their rigs and driving across the country. For people who hate the idea of a desk job, this is a great opportunity to go on an adventure every day and get paid for it.
Truckers stop at a different location every night. They’re at a different location every day. And you get a front-row seat to enjoy all of this. Some companies even let the drivers choose the routes and locations based on availability. So, you can travel anywhere your heart desires as long as it’s available.
Extra Benefits Over Other Industries
The trucking career offers a whole lot more than just traveling opportunities. Most trucking companies offer benefits like:
- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Sign-on bonuses up to $5k
- Paid vacation and
- A 401(K) retirement plan
But that’s not all.
Some companies even give you:
- A cell phone allowance
- 24-hour dispatch
- Properly maintained equipment
- Safe driving bonuses and
- Unloading trailers
Some even cover food and lodging costs.
The trucking industry is highly competitive for companies. That’s why companies go above and beyond to attract new drivers and retain the old ones.
Stable Income
Financial stability is incredibly important for everyone, but millennials value it a lot more because of their independent nature. Financial stability is one of the biggest reasons to choose truck driving as a career.
Most companies pay their employees on a per-mile scale. This just translates to the more you drive, the more you earn. And with the driver shortage, competitive pay is becoming the norm within the industry.
Over the road, team driving can also be a great way to get a bit of extra money flowing. With a co-driver, you can cover twice the miles in half the time. So even after splitting, you’ll still have a profit.
So, trucking can be a great career option if you’re looking for a stable income with growth opportunities.
Flexible Schedule
Work-life balance is what all millennials are searching for. And the trucking industry gives them just that. A lot of companies provide flexibility in their schedules.
A truck driver has the flexibility to choose his schedule. You can decide when you want to work. This option may vary from company to company, but this is becoming increasingly popular throughout the industry.
A versatile schedule is great, especially for drivers who drive locally. Usually, local goods are transported at that time. So, you can adjust your schedule and work during the day, avoiding working very early in the morning or late at night. You can even work on weekends and free up some other day. You can even take breaks during your tips if you deliver the products on time.
A flexible work schedule offers the best of both worlds. You can have your solo time on the road and quality time with family at home.
To Wrap It Up
Trucking can be more than just an afterthought or an alternative career. It’s an opportunity to go on an adventure every day and get paid for it.
With the trucking industry’s benefits and opportunities, now is the time for millennials to give trucking serious thought.