Understanding the trucking industry can seem daunting. There’s a multitude of careers, professions, and people that make up the diverse trucking industry, and that industry then fits into the larger logistics industry. Parsing through this complicated sector can lead its members to more fruitful and lucrative careers, and may send you on your way to a new career in trucking. Whatever your specialty or skill set, it’s likely that the trucking industry has a place for you.  Read on to learn more about the ins and outs of one of America’s most important and lucrative industries.

Understanding the Trucking Industry and Its Careers

As mentioned previously, the trucking industry is a diverse sector with a multitude of jobs, specializations, and careers. If you’re looking to gain a further understanding of the industry to see if there’s a job for you, check out these careers:

Trucking

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that trucking itself is the first segment on this list. Trucking is the most recognizable and outward-facing job in the industry. You likely see truckers at work any time you travel, you see them at gas stations, and you even see them at work in many of the stores you frequent. Quite frankly, America’s economy would not function the same if trucking wasn’t a profession as popular as it currently is.

You may already understand that trucking is popular. As we’ve mentioned, truckers are everywhere. The fact that the entire country relies on trucking is common knowledge. Did you know that the average salary for truck drivers is $77,525? This may come as a surprise to some, but it shouldn’t. Since trucking is one of the most important and relied-upon careers in the country, salaries rightfully reflect that. 

Dispatching

Truck driver dispatchers make up a surprising portion of the logistics industry. They aren’t as well-known or appreciated as truckers, but they are just as important. Understanding this position is essential to understanding the trucking industry Truck driver dispatchers tackle many of the tasks necessary to keep the entire industry running smoothly.

First and foremost, as the name would suggest, truck driver dispatchers dispatch truckers on trips, ensuring that their drivers leave and arrive at their destination safely. Additionally, truck driver dispatchers are relied upon to act as the primary point of contact for their drivers currently on trips. This means that they must be ready at a moment’s notice to assist their drivers in solving problems or difficulties that arise on the job. On top of that, dispatchers often act as the voice of the company, communicating directly with suppliers and customers. If truck driver dispatching seems interesting to you, read our blog post on the subject.

Education

Every skill needs its teachers. Did you know that to be a trucker or many other jobs in the industry, you will need a Commercial Driver’s License? Commercial Driver’s Licenses are special licenses that permit you to drive certain vehicles in a professional setting. To obtain one, you must go through schooling or a training program to learn the skills necessary to operate these vehicles. In order to run these programs, we need educators.

Trainers in the truck driving industry are often the most experienced individuals in the field looking to pass their knowledge and experience to the next generation of truckers. Having a good teacher can make or break your experience in any school or training environment- why not become one for those that come after you?

Truck Driver Institute is always looking for experienced and skilled truck driving instructors. If this sounds like you, feel free to visit our page regarding employment inquiries. If you’re a retired truck driver looking to stay active in the field, or simply an experienced driver looking for a change of pace, we’d love to have you.

Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management is essential for the function of the entire logistics industry. Supply chain managers manage and oversee the entirety of logistical functions within their organization. What this means is that these individuals are responsible for the movement of materials to and from their respective companies, ensuring that they obtain, retain, and ship away the appropriate amount of goods to keep their organizations running. This naturally places them in an essential position within their company: if you’re looking for a career with high amounts of responsibility, this may be for you.

In addition to materials management, supply chain managers manage people. It doesn’t matter what sector your organization resides within; the movement of materials requires people to move them. This means that supply chain managers must retain a diversified skill set. Managers must be adept at keeping processes efficient for the sake of both their employees and the materials they manage. If you’re looking for a more detailed description of this position, SHRM has provided an in-depth description of the job.

Why Is Understanding the Trucking Industry Important?

In short, if you want to exist within the trucking industry, those who understand it will be much better off. Obtaining a sufficient understanding of the industry, the careers it holds, and the opportunities within will inevitably ensure that you are able to make more educated decisions regarding your career path, and will likely perform better in the career you choose. 

Additionally, understanding the trucking industry can be helpful for those that don’t work within it. Simply put, trucking is one of the most essential industries to the economy of the United States. According to the ATA, in 2021, the trucking industry hauled 72.2% of America’s freight. Additionally, according to the ATA, the industry itself was worth over $875 billion in the same year. The trucking industry is what moves the economy forward, and it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Understanding the Trucking Industry with TDI

Truck Driver Institute is dedicated to educating prospective members of the trucking industry like you. Whether you want to be a trucker, truck driver dispatcher, educator, or any other position in the industry, many careers begin with a CDL.

At Truck Driver Institute, you can complete your education and gain a CDL in just 3 weeks. Additionally, upon completion, our graduates boast an over 86% job placement rate. That means that in just three weeks from today, you could find yourself with a new, lucrative career in the trucking industry. Contact us today or visit our website to learn more.