Welcome to the fascinating world of big rigs! Truck drivers are unsung heroes of the economy, delivering goods and services across the country. It’s a job that requires long hours, patience with traffic, and a willingness to sometimes get terrible sleep. However, truck drivers are rewarded with ample pay and freedom on an open road.
Truck driver jobs are highly sought after by many people. There are an estimated 1.1 million truck driver jobs in the United States. In fact, the American Trucking Association (ATA) reported that there were 80,000 more truck driver jobs than drivers! Many truck drivers are paid according to how many miles they drive – earning $48,310 per year on average.
Facts about being a trucker
Being a truck driver and taking owner operator jobs has its own set of interesting facts and numbers you should know about. Here are 5 things you may not have known about a truck driver job:
1. It’s one of the most dangerous jobs.
Driving a big rig is definitely one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Every day, 5 to 15 people are killed in car accidents related to trucks. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 918 fatal motor vehicle accidents involving a truck in 2016. Truck drivers are exposed to dangerous situations every day. For example, they may get stuck in snarled traffic at rush hour or experience weather-related problems on the road. Truck drivers must be vigilant and prepared at all times, of course; this calls for long hours behind the wheel. As a result, truck driver jobs require lots of physical energy and endurance.
2. The job is physically demanding!
Driving a big rig can be quite tiring and stressful after years of doing it. In fact, most commercial truck drivers are older than 45 years of age; many of them retire before they hit 50 years old!
3. A lot of truck driving positions are available in the U.S.
There are more than one million truck drivers working in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you’re interested in becoming a truck driver, you can find many available driving jobs online. A search for “truck driving jobs” actually brings up 1,530,000 results on Google!
4. Truck drivers get paid well.
The average annual pay for a long-haul truck driver is $64,498 per year. Driving a truck can be a lucrative career opportunity if you’re willing to earn it! By comparison, the average annual salary of all U.S. workers ages 16 and older was $34,974, according to the BLS.
5. Trucker stereotypes aren’t always true.
The popular notion that truck drivers are scary and gruff is not true. Truckers tend to be more patient with other drivers who have had less time behind the wheel than they have. They also drive slower than other motorists because, well, it’s safer! Still, truckers are known for being a little crusty.
There are more than one million truck drivers working in the United States. If you love the idea of going on road trips and meeting new people every day, this is definitely a job for you!
