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