Finding the Right Trucking Job: Real Advice from a 10-Year CDL Veteran

I have been trucking going on 10 years and have scanned 1000s of trucking job listings during this time. Over the road, regional, local along with all of the different freight types such as dry van, tanker, flatbed and more. I have learned quite a few facts about what most trucking jobs offer or at least in my local market, which just happens to be a major regional transportation hub. For starters, the pay rates for most trucking jobs are remarkably similar. For instance, if your market pays around $22 an hour for a local driving position you can bet most of the other trucking jobs will pay similar. The same goes for regional. If they are paying around .50 a mile with the opportunity to get home weekly or more, most of the others will pay the same.

Essential Endorsements and Certifications to Unlock Higher-Paying Trucking Jobs

If you want to make more money as a trucker, you are going to need to have a few things under your belt. For one, make sure you have all of your endorsements such as tanker, hazmat, and doubles. Also, if there is a port in your city you will want to make sure you obtain your TWIC card. Why is this? This will open up a whole new selection of trucking jobs that other drivers simply may not be qualified for, not to mention the endorsement trucking jobs usually pay more.

Touch Freight Trucking Jobs: Earn More by Handling Your Own Loads

Another way to make better pay with some trucking jobs is to be willing to touch freight. What this means is you will be responsible for loading or unloading your trailer or at least assisting in the process. Most drivers do not want to do this, so these positions are available most of the time with an added bonus of higher pay versus a non-touch driving position.

Hazmat Trucking Jobs: Higher Pay, Higher Risk

Hauling Hazmat usually pays more because it requires a special endorsement and places a lot more responsibility on the driver. The downside of this of course is if you get in an accident the product in your tanker can become a serious hazard to your life and others around you. So, think carefully before deciding if the extra money is worth the risk of hauling hazardous materials.

Flatbed Trucking Jobs: Higher Pay, More Responsibility, and Risk

Flatbed positions usually pay more as well. This is because you are responsible for securing your freight with straps and chains while also protecting it from the weather and wind with tarps. As someone who ran flatbed himself, I can tell you there is quite a bit more work involved, and companies realize this and are usually willing to pay you more. There is also an added element of danger with flatbeds as you will be moving around high off the ground attempting to secure your freight as well as the added risk of heavy freight moving or falling on you. It takes a lot of practice and skill to do flatbed trucking safely.

Dry Van Trucking Jobs: Common, Less Pay, but More Miles

The most common type of trucking job is hauling a 53-foot dry van. These usually do not require any endorsement, and most drivers want this type of job because unloading your own freight is usually not required. A lot of times these are called drop & hook jobs. You arrive at a warehouse, drop off your loaded trailer and then proceed to pick up another trailer before heading out. Sometimes, there may be a live load or unload which will have you usually waiting a couple of hours to complete. Dry van jobs usually pay the least amount but also have you driving the most miles per week. So, expect to drive more and make a little less than one of the other more specialized types of trucking jobs.

Trucking Hiring Process: What Recruiters Look for in Drivers

In trucking hiring managers are usually called recruiters. When you apply for a trucking job, they will often have you complete your online application through the Driver Pulse app on a site called TeenStreet. Most carriers hire their drivers using this universal all-in-one application service. A trucking company is looking for primarily three things: The amount of experience you have as a truck driver, your driving record, and your background report. If all three are in good standing you will have a leg up on many other applicants applying for the same job.

Where to Find Trucking Jobs: Top Job Search Options and Strategies

You have a couple of options here. You can start with a simple google search such as trucking jobs or go to a more specialized job search engine like Indeed. You can also find out which companies in your city have truck drivers and apply directly on their websites. The latter option may give you an advantage over the competition because a lot of drivers simply do not have the time to do the research to look up these company websites.

Creating a Professional Trucking Resume: Key Tips for Success

Your trucking resume. Even as a truck driver you are going to want a professionally written resume. It can go a long way to getting a response from a potential employer. The key here is to be honest with your trucking experience and make sure the format and spelling are correct, and it is written in a professional resume template format. When I apply for a typical trucking job, I often get responses due to my experience as a driver and the fact I have a well written resume.

How Time Away from Home Impacts Trucking Pay: Regional vs. OTR Positions

In many cases if you want to make more as a trucker the length of time away from home usually effects how much your pay is. For instance, a regional driving position will pay more than a local and an over the road driving job will pay more than a regional. There are exceptions but this is the general rule. Most drivers want to be home every night and make a fortune, but this is unlikely to happen whereas a driver who stays out a month at a time may have a company paying them a lot more. On the other side of this, however, if you are living on the road full time the additional expenses can add up quickly if you do not plan accordingly such as increased food costs, parking and more. So that extra money may do little more than help subsidize your full-time road warrior lifestyle.

Why the “Perfect Trucking Job” Is a Myth: The Reality of Trucking Positions

The perfect trucking job does not exist. I have looked through thousands of trucking job listings and can sadly say this is the case. Unicorn trucking jobs are rare. Exceedingly rare. What am I talking about? A trucking job where you are paid exceptionally well, have a newer truck, are treated well, have non-touch freight, work days and not nights, are home every night and only have a 5-day work week. They simply do not exist and if they do there are so many people applying for these jobs that you will not stand a chance of landing one. I have been searching for this mythical trucking job ever since I obtained my CDL 10 years ago.

Sacrifices in Trucking Jobs: What You Gain and Lose in Your Search for the Perfect Job

In most cases if you are looking for one desired trait from a trucking job such as a 5-day work week you are going to give up something else, like less pay. The same goes with non-touch freight or a comprehensive benefits package. Unless you apply to a union trucking job you are unlikely to find a trucking job that checks off all of your boxes. You are going to have to sacrifice something on your list whether it be running the graveyard shift every night or driving old equipment. I have yet to find that perfect trucking job and I have been looking for a long time. The closest I ever came however had me gone 4 to 6 weeks at a time as an OTR flatbed driver but I had a brand new truck, was paid twice as much as my previous Amazon regional driver position but I also had to work harder because of what everything in flatbed involves.

Exploring Different Types of Trucking Jobs: Pay, Workload, and Risks

There are a wide variety of trucking jobs out there that involve hauling different types of freight. Everything from logs to over-sized freight, chemicals, dry-bulk, and the list goes on. Each type of trucking job will have its pros and cons. If you are working a little harder, you are usually making a little more. But if you are just bumping docks with a 53’ dry van you will make less. If you are running food service, for instance stocking restaurants breaking your back in the process expect to make great money but that is only if your body holds up to the abuse.

How Experience Impacts Your Trucking Job Opportunities and Pay

The amount of experience you have as a truck driver will also have a bearing on which companies will be willing to hire you. During your first year or two do not expect to have a wide selection of companies to drive for available. But once you get around 3 years under your belt it should open up the hard to land but more desirable trucking jobs out there such as being a Walmart driver, which is widely known for treating and paying their truckers well.

How Location Affects Your Trucking Job Opportunities and Pay

Other times you will simply be limited to who you can drive for because of your location. Some cities have more trucking jobs than others. If you are open to relocation this will increase your chances of finding a better trucking job. It is well known that trucking jobs up north for instance pay more than ones down south. If you live in a small town your options may be more limited compared to a major metro.

How to Research Trucking Companies and Avoid Scams

Always do your research on any company you are interested in before you apply. For instance, a quick Google search of the company name along with the word DOT will often let you take a look at their Department of Transportation information such as their location, number of drivers and safety record. This alone can help you spot shady trucking companies. It is always in your best interest to work for a reputable trucking company, so you are not taken advantage of or shorted on your pay. Many of these companies or recruiters tend to lie just in order to get you into one of their trucks. Be sure to also read other driver reviews so you can help get a better picture of the company before you even apply. If there are many drivers complaining on their Indeed reviews, there is a good chance the company may not be driver friendly or even worse out right frauds. You can also spend a lot of time getting insider information from reading any driver reviews beforehand about information the recruiter is not likely to tell you.

How to Improve Your Chances of Landing a Top Trucking Job

If you want to land a good trucking job, get all of your endorsements, keep your driving record clean and get a couple of years of experience driving a semi-truck first. Also, it helps not to job hop. Try to stick it out with any company you are driving for at least a year or two before chasing greener grass with another company. Most trucking companies are looking for drivers willing to stick around for a while.