Truckers Training

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Top 10 Most Lucrative Trucking Jobs

Working in the trucking industry can be quite lucrative; the right job will result in higher pay rates, in a shorter period of time.

Most lucrative trucking jobs

Regardless of age or your experience in the industry, the right job is going to result in more earnings and better benefits as a driver. These are among the top paying jobs, when you are looking for a career in the trucking industry.

1. Liquid Hauling

Tank truck

Gas, chemicals, and other hazardous materials are dangerous to be around; further, they require immense skill for you to drive and haul them.

For this reason, working in this industry, you are going to earn more, and depending on the type of hazardous material, and company that you work for, the pay rate can be rather expensive.

The median salary for a liquid hazmat driver is $54,000 and a reported upper pay of $120,000.

2. Oversized Loads

Oversize load truck

Driving double wide trucks, and over load trucks will also result in a higher pay rate. Not only do you need a special license, special training is also required for the job. In turn, you will need to learn how to drive certain trucks, and will be paid more for this skill.

An income of $100K+ is feasible if you work your butt off and are willing to sacrifice your personal and family time.

3. Ice Road Trucking

Iceroad trucking

Due to the conditions and dangerous road conditions, you can earn quite a bit in this field. In a few short months you can earn anywhere from $20K up to $75K, working only part of the year.

4. Specialty Car Haulers

Car hauler truck

Transporting cars that are damaged or need to be delivered to customers, is also a high paying job. If you deliver specialty, luxurious cars, you can earn even more when working in this field.

The median pay for a transport driver is $73,000, a reported high income of $120,000. The starting salary is around $60,000 for a driver with little experience in hauling cars.

5. Dump Truck Driving

dump-truck

Transporting and working in the dump trucking industry is also a high paying job. You can find jobs in various locations, internationally, and you can work for small local companies, earning a high pay rate as well.

6. Mining Industry

Mining trucks

Deliveries, pick up, and other work in the mining industry is quite lucrative as well. You can work for small companies, or work as a contractor in this field as well.

7. Team Driving

Team Driving
Photo Credit: DDA.edu

The long driving distance, and working with other drivers, can also pay a higher rate. The burn out in this field is typically a problem, as you drive long distances, and will sometimes be limited in the amount you can drive, and where you can drive, by federal and state regulations.s

8. Owner Operator Truck Driver

crete carrier

Owning your own trucking business means being responsible for all the operational expenses, however, being your own boss can be rewarding.

Independent truckers and owners can make close to $200,000 a year depending on the miles driven, type of delivery, customer satisfaction, etc.

9. Recruiter

truck driving trainingyIn some instances, working for a trucking company, as opposed to being a driver, will earn you more money. If you recruit in the field, you are going to earn more, especially if you bring in great drivers.

10. Instructor

Working in a trucking school may also allow you to earn some money. Not only do you stay in one location, and work with students, you don’t have to do the long hours, or dangerous roads, and can earn rather well.

trucking-school

Depending on the job, benefits, and company, earnings will vary. These are a few of the top paid positions in the trucking industry. Also, acquiring your CDL, specifically Class A, allows you to have an edge over others.

Thinking about going to trucking school? This article will give you an idea of tuition costs.

Check out our ultimate guide on truckers’ salary.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Oilfield jobs are easy to get …watch a YouTube video to learn how to do the job and tell them you have experience doing it…..they all lie to you from day 1…just give them a little in return…I have 14 years experience in the oilfield and have not found 1 company who treats their employees as an asset ….one thing for sure you will find is the land of broken dreams and promises …part time work between fracs and closures every fiscal year …no holidays or weekends off and none are family oriented

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  2. In Kansas City, Missouri, The Sygma Network hires good heathly drivers. The work is tough to say the least, but the benefits are great. If you want to be home several days a week and not out on the road for 6 to 8 weeks at a time, then check them out. I have been with them for over 13 years. I am off 3 days a week and last year I made a little over $70k.

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  3. Dot Foods is the best company I have ever worked for. I averaged 80,000 miles per year but my schedule is 4 days on 4 days off. They have a 7 and 2 schedule and also a six and three schedule. They have DC’s all over the nation but there still a family business. Absolutely no Union everything is taken care of in house.

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  4. Don’t go to PAM Transport no matter what you do.. !

    Very bad pay
    Will stick you team driving with horrible students that don’t know how to drive and we’ll get you hurt
    Horrible driver managers and dispatchers..
    Home time is almost non-existent doesn’t matter how long you work they want you to stay on the road…
    Tons of paperwork to keep track of… If you lose any copies you might not get paid…
    You’re definitely just the number nobody cares about you..
    The managers and dispatches are all miserable too..

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    • You’re right I worked for PAM and that’s how they roll. Back in 2013 I had new drivers just getting their trucks asking me questions – questions that I thought the trainer should have told or taught them and then it depends on the attitude of the trainer. Dispatchers can be fickle, it depends on who you get. I got on with one of PAM’s subsidiaries in 2008. At the orientation the gal said this is a “training company”. They do train a lot of drivers.

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  5. I’m a contractor for Fedex ground and I run teams. my top team this year will make over 100k each. We pay .62cpm split with Sunday mondays off as well as major holidays. We do have dedicated routes as well in Houston Austin ft worth and Dallas. We pay very well and most of my driver have been with me 5 plus years oldest driver I have has been with me 15yrs.

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    • Dear sir, I am very interested in working with your company yet I have only a classD CDL. I hope you offer training etc and will contact me @Nathan Smith on Facebook! Please feel free to Direct Message!!!

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    • .62 split and you claim $100k per year each driver. Must be counting on drivers that can’t do math. They would each have to drive 300,000 a year each. Stop with the bullshit

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      • They would have to drive 325K yr (892.8571 per day) @ .62 split LOL sounds like pretty hard running for a team everyday.

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      • Your math is flawed. The team drove 322.000 miles @$0.62 com = $200.000 or $100.000 each as stated in the comment. Still hard work but entirely doable at those rates.

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  6. I’m having a hell of a time trying to find a trucking school that will let me apply with 2 DUIs, they are 7 and 10 yrs old, but Swift ,CRST,Warren Knight have all denied me. Anybody know ? I live in Arizona but willing to go to school anywhere as long as they pay for room and board !

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  7. In southeast conn the dump truck driving jobs pay horrible and I mean horrible and then up towards new haven and Bridgeport Hartford area it’s 7 to 8 dollars difference in southeast ct the companies should be ashamed of themselves to offer so low money and I mean low poverty level type of pay between Putnam ct and old lyme ct .

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  8. I am what the industry calls over experienced. I deserve the best that the best has to offer. The problem is the industry can’t afford the best so they train new drivers preferably no education because they stay around longer at a cheaper pay. I have the cradentials that take at least 30 years of various experience to achieve. But all I can get is the average job with average pay. Anyone in the Arklatex area that can afford me? The company I work for is closing it’s doors, so I am looking for a job that will have me home nightly with the pay I beserve. Burttn@gmail.com

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  9. UPS.. Free training, health insurance, holidays, PENSION…and $ Lots of overtime. Home every day. I made $114 k my last year. Co-worker was on his way to making $130K for the year as of September. Easy to make $100k Hourly rate about $33.00 Problem??? It takes years to make your way though the ranks. I’m retired on a pension living the good life in south Florida. Just saying.

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  10. Conway Freight/XPO LOGISTICS start at 21.85 top at 26.56 (pay varies by region) will put you through a smith system approved driving class (3 months 12 hour days only 8 of which are payed) and will not chare a dime for your cdl. Will be required to obtain hazmat, doubles/triples, and tankers endorsements. The only thing you will pay for is the hazardous materials background check and the written tests through the DMV. You will also have to work the dock but it will be at driver pay.

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  11. One of thee best paying careers in the trucking industry is Cryogenics hauling! Me and my wife haul liquid helium 48 states!! We’ve been doin this for close to 10 years and we’ve always averaged 180000.00 a year!! Cryogenics industry is hurting for good drivers!! We work 7 days and 2 days off!! The pay and the home time is unrivaled!!

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    • Do they hire new drivers, or help with cdl? If so who can I contact? 180 a year together? Thanks a bunch for your post, it is extremely helpful to get as much info as possible. Your the best!

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      • If you don’t have your cdl, contact your local Department of Labor and ask them about getting your cdl through the Workforce Investment Act.
        (Google Workforce Investment Act.)

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        • I’m getting my cdl through them. I was laid off in Texas and moved to Iowa and applied at the local office. I just did my DOT physical and drug test. I am supposed to start school next week if all goes well.

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    • I’m a recently retired USMC Officer that has a great clearance and clean record. How do you get into the cryogenics field once you get your CDL?

      Mike

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    • I hauled liquid Nitrogen as part of my last job. Now that that yard is closed I’m going to pull HAZMAT.
      But I’m beginning to think that the pay is not up where it needs to be. This company is offering gross 1200, and no type of bonuses. Should I keep looking?

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    • Do you own your own truck or is that company drivers who do you drive for how many miles a week how much per mile

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    • Hi i am 49 and been drving trucks all my life i have 30 years verfiable driving no accidents great driving record could you send me the company you haul for info thankyou

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    • I am a recent cdl graduate with my twic, hazmat, tanker and double/triple enhanced license.Does the Cryogenics industry hire recent grads and if so where would I apply. I have a clean and good driving record and clean back ground. Thank you for sharing.

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    • Hi what company is that and do you have to have Hazmat, I been with crst and have close to 20,000 miles OTR mountains winter all over country in almost six months but these companies do not pay well and DM issues. Im just now getting into the industry since last year and having problems with employment because DOT wanting up to 10 years and companies wanting stable history.

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  12. I’ve done some short jobs , Oregon Aramark 53′ van, small propane truck delivering to RV’S in Yuma also drove lowboy delivering equipment for paving contractor Yuma, bottom dump build hwy
    Lake View Oregon, bottom dump in Texas hauling rock, and saltwater Tanker for gas field work in Texas , also drove water truck for water well driller
    in Oregon but don’t have to recent experience
    have Twic card, current hazmat, passport,Tanker
    doubles Triples endorsements would like to drive
    a fuel tanker but don’t know of any that would give me a try.

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  13. You might want to mention grocery delivery. In the KC area $44k is the bare minimum in one particular outfit and that can be made working 4 1/2 days a week. Up to 6 figures can be made if you make yourself available. Great benefits too, including paid vacation, paid holidays, you get paid odometer miles, and a 401k plan that the company pays into for you even if you do not or match up to 6%.

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  14. That ice road trucking position sounds good…to be able to make that much, in what I assume are the winter months. I can find something else closer to home the rest of the year, if need be.

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  15. I’m contemplating to work for another company in Alaska, as an ice road trucker. I have worked with moving companies the past few years, as an owner-operator….enjoy it. But once the year goes on, the jobs slow down a bit, and as I’m from the NE, I can definitely handle some harsh winter weather. That’s the good thing about working for yourself…..if business is slow, you can take on another job that pays more for the slow period.

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    • Better wait on that ice road trucker thing I just left alaska the jobs are far and few between you should wait untill the price of oil go’s back up last winter we starved and the company’s there won’t hire you to run the haul road unless you have experience on the haul road,good luck

      Reply

  16. Great info here on the different drivers and what’s required of them. You’ve definitely provided a good break down of what each type of driving job entails.

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      • That’s crap I work for schneider and there pay sucks. Luckily I didnt choose them for the money, I chose them for there safety record.

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      • Scheider will get their attorney involved in hiring process and both recruiters and directors will call you a liable asset to company and say that you will steal a truck all before orientation and before back ground check, other stories bad from Schneider management to CEO.

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    • I’ve done a little research and swift or CR England will finance your training with $0 down but it ends up being around $3,400. I am yet to find a company that will actually get you your license for free. Lots of companies say free training or paid training but that’s the training they give you once you already have your license

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      • There is no company the will “Give” you a cdl for “FREE” …Schools cost money, there are many companies that have sponsored schools…you can work in exchange for schooling or take a local course in your homevtown….

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          • I have worked in the oilfields for over 3 years, I have never known anyone to pay for cdl training. You do not have to go to a school to get a cdl.

          • that’s not the norm, most company will train you and help you get your cdl….but in exchange you have to agree to work for them for a time…that’s the norm…

        • True CDL not free nor is the schools but the trucking companies and recruiters will tell you anything just to get you to orientation and half don’t do their job. Most of your companies like CSRT, CR England, Stevens transport, swift, do not pay well and below industry standard for forty hour week, yes you need a place to start but its difficult and you see at around five months that you can not pay your bills on 250 a week or less.

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      • England will provides schooling, lodging, and transportation if you sign a 9 month contract. The only out of pocket expense the student pays is the local license fee and food. If you break your contract you then have to pay the full ammount plus interest.

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        • But cr England and others who “finance” your CDL training pay you less and also take out the cost of your CDL. You end up making $200-300 per week, have to take advances to survive and end up with no paycheck at the end if the day. Get your own financing through the school.

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        • Well I went to the school and the President was fired here recently for what they were doing, and yes its more cost out your pocket for weeks they put you in a run down dirty hotel with bed bugs and so yes there is problems there and also they have a Federal civil suit they had to pay for all applicants for 5,000,000$ in 2015 for paying students .14 a mile. A good school is continental driving school in Dallas, TX

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          • I’m currently attending continental and couldn’t speak highly enough soo far!!! Excellent place to go for sure!!!

      • You can check with your local unemployment office a lot of states will offer programs for A class CDL free of charge

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      • I realize you posted this six months ago but my company Carter Express will pay for your schooling and all you have to do is sign a 12 month contract. As long as you complete the contract you don’t pay a dime. And they start you out at a higher pay rate. Around 32 cents to start plus another 5 cents if you haul reefer trailers. It’s one of the best companies to start at.

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    • Start with a Class B and move up from there. Everyone wants to jump into something that bends in the middle before they know the front part……. Get to know the front part first.

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    • Regardless of what people have said over the internet, I chose swift trucking school. I passed my first go around with no ap (academic probation). Right now I’m in orientation and I will be on the road starting tomorrow. Tuition was 3900 (they can finance that for you including hotel 500 stay for a total of 4400. If you don’t live close to the school) the school pepped me everything I needed to know and as I have found out, everything that has been told to me by my instructors, have been correct. I hope this helps for me it was a really awesome experience. Also out of 13 students I was 1 of two who passed the first time around.. Again I hope this helped, swift is also the largest trucking company in the USA.

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      • I started off at Swift years ago, school was bullshit and they pay you crap. I broke my contract left after seven months, got a local job doubled my pay. They dont properly train new drivers. I can out drive any of their so call “instructors”. Don’t brag about working for swift you’ll get laughed at lol.
        Sure
        We’re
        Insured
        For
        That

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    • Many major OTR companies offer paid training as well as employment after graduation. Also, other companies offer tuition reimbursement & will provide “promise to hire” letters to help you to secure financing for independent cdl schools.

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    • I’ve been driving With MVT Mesilla Valley Transport and they will train you at their school as well as give you a job. The school is 5 weeks longs as well as riding with a trainer for 60 thousand miles if you stay with them for a year they will refund your money back to you

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    • A lot of the truck driving schools have contracts with the big name carriers. THEY pay for your training. As soon as you complete the school portion. You’ll go to the company to start training with a trainer. (Minimum of two weeks). After that, you’ll have to stay there for a year with “no accidents “. Then your obligation to them is done and you can go anywhere. Either that, or you pay the schooling yourself. Which runs about $3000 and up.

      Reply

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