Is Truck Driving A Good Career? Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever wondered, “Is truck driving a good career?” The easy answer: yes. Truck driving is a career that’s great for those who want flexible hours, a great income, and an opportunity to travel. One of the biggest decisions you will have to make in life is deciding your career path. Everyone wants to be successful. We want to make a good life for ourselves and our family members. Truck driving might be the career choice that leads you to economic freedom, but it’s understandable that you may not want to jump into a field without knowing all there is you need to know. That’s why this article covers the big ideas of trucking to help you decide what to do with your future. 

Is Truck Driving a Good Career?

When exploring your career options, it’s important to evaluate all aspects of the field you’re considering going into. You want to place yourself in the footsteps of those who are already doing what you want to be doing. You have to weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the career you choose, like potential income, possible hassles, and potential rewards. So, the question is: is truck driving a good career? Well, before we answer that, there’s a bunch of aspects to consider. 

Potential Income

While it’s true that truck driving can be a profitable industry, it’s best to have realistic expectations about how much money you could earn in any field. Glassdoor reports an average salary of about $57,000 for truck drivers. There are other factors that contribute to pay however, including variations in pay depending on state and the competitive nature of the company that employs you. Graduates of TDI can usually expect a salary anywhere “from $40,000 to $78,000” and there’s quite a few more answers in this article about how much do truck drivers make? Professional truck drivers can anticipate making more than the average profession. Since truck drivers are paid per mile, salary depends largely on one’s ability to cover more mileage. Some have chosen to partner up with another driver to add more mileage to their paychecks. 

Good vs. Bad: The Lifestyle

If you want to know, “Is truck driving a good career?” the biggest hurdle is the lifestyle. You have to know some things about yourself. It takes a special kind of person to be a trucker and you need to know what this profession brings before you can know if you’re cut out for it. Let’s look at some of the good and bad features of the trucking lifestyle and let you make a decision on that question for yourself. 

The Adventurer

Truck driving is a phenomenal career opportunity for people who love to travel. Most truck drivers have the ability to plan their own route with some guidance from their contractor. They drive long distances and can travel to different parts of the country. Truck drivers should have the ability to adapt to any environment as their wheels will bring them across any terrain and through many different cities. This is a great profession for those who are adventurers at heart and want to get a good look at the country on the road. 

The Loner

One of the downsides (or maybe a plus side) to truck driving is that this is mostly a solitary profession. In fact, The Washington Post cites the lifestyle as one of the toughest things to combat. Truckers spend hours, sometimes days, on the road alone. If they have families, this means time away from them too. Many find it difficult to schedule family time or maintain relationships being away from home so often. As mentioned above, team driving is a practice that also combats on-the-road loneliness. Many find that this solves the need for companionship while working for an income. Some husbands and wives team up to tackle driving long distances and their relationships grow stronger. Others have taken to bringing their dog with them on their semi truck. If you don’t mind gaining miles on your own, truck driving is the perfect profession for you. This is a great opportunity for self-exploration. Read that book you’ve never gotten a chance to read. Listen to the music you like and watch the sun go down. Spend some quality time with yourself on the road. For some, these aspects of the trucker lifestyle are the most desirable. 

The Fast Foodie

Eating healthy is another challenge that on the road trucking brings. Truckers must find various solutions to combat overeating at fast food restaurants and lack of exercise. Check out some of these fitness tips from a trucking enthusiast. It is possible to eat healthy while on the road. Many truckers may choose to make a pack lunch or opt for a salad instead of a greasy hamburger. However, if you’re a fast foodie, this is the prime chance for you to eat the food you enjoy while on the road. There are tons of places to eat and traveling makes it possible for you to check out some of the most popular restaurants while you’re on the go. 

Make Truck Driving Your Career with TDI

If you’re still on the fence about whether or not truck driving is a good career for you, contact the professionals at TDI. We offer Class A and B CDL training, as well as assistance in your job placement process through our network of over 20 companies, actively looking for truck drivers right now. TDI also provides a broad range of resources with adapting to the trucker lifestyle. Check out our blog, where you’ll find articles on balancing family and truck driving and everything you need to know about jumpstarting your truck driving career.