What Are the Highest Paying Truck Driving Jobs?

There are a lot of discussions these days about high school students graduating immediately into their chosen profession rather than going to college. Whatever path works best for you or your student is entirely up to you. If a career is the selected route, being a truck driver may be both personally and professionally rewarding.

Truck driving is an in-demand profession that offers a lot of job security. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the industry will grow by 21 percent to equal somewhere around 1.5 million new jobs! In addition, the current starting average yearly salary for truckers is approximately $37,770. Not too shabby of a way to start after high school.

Of course, not all truck driving jobs are created equal. Some offer higher salaries and better benefits than others. Here is a list of the highest paying truck driving jobs in the industry:

Highest Paying Trucking Jobs

1. Owner-Operators Salary: $221,000
2. Ice Road Drivers Salary: $60,000 to $78,000 per season (3-4months).
3. Oversized Load Salary: $73,000 – $120,000
4. Specialty Vehicle Haulers. Salary: $67,000 to 89,000
5. Team Drivers. Salary: $65,700-$80,300
6. Private Fleet. Salary: $87,500
7. Mining Industry Drivers. Salary: $55,000 to 79,000
8. Liquids / Tanker. Salary: $75,000
9. Hazmat Drivers. Salary: $55,000 to 73,000 or more

How much do truck drivers make local?

The average Local Truck Driver’s salary is $56,748 per year, or $27.28 per hour, in the United States. People on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10%, make roughly $39,000 a year, while the top 10% earn $82,000.

There are a lot of variables when it comes to how much money a truck driver can make. The most obvious one is the type of load they are hauling. But there are other factors as well, like the distance they have to travel and the number of hours they are on the road.

What about the drivers who work for moving companies? They are considered local drivers because they do not travel more than 100 miles from their home base. These types of truck drivers make an average of $30,000 a year.

How about the drivers who work for stores like Kroger or Target? They are also considered local drivers, and they make an average of $50,000 a year. 

The drivers who make the best money are the ones who have their own trucks and work for themselves. They can make anywhere from $80,000 to over $200,000 a year.

History of truck driving industry

Since Karl Benz first put an internal combustion engine in a truck in the late 1800s, transportation has included trucking. Steam engines have driven trucks since before this date. The transition to an internal combustion engine produced significant improvements in efficiency and performance for trucks.

The 1970s were a difficult time for the trucking industry, as deregulation led to a significant increase in the cost of trucking. This made it more difficult for smaller companies to compete.

Remember the 1977 classic movie “Smokey and the Bandit”? It’s where I learned all about trucking, right? Here’s a memorable line sung by one of the stars in the movie, Jerry Reed, with “East Bound and Down.”

“Eastbound and down, loaded up and truckin’ / We’re gonna do what they say can’t be done / We’ve got a long way to go and a short time to get there / I’m eastbound, just watch ol’ Bandit run! / Keep your foot hard on the pedal, son, never mind them brakes / Let it all hang out ’cause we got a run to make!”

What is the oldest trucking company?

The Winton Motor Carriage Company of Cleveland, Ohio, founded in 1896, pioneered the trucking industry. In 1898, the company built its first truck capable of carrying cargo in an attached trailer (i.e., semi-trucks). The company’s trucks hauled freight in the United States and Canada until 1920.

The trucking industry certainly has come a long way since then!

What are the highest paying truck driving jobs?

In conclusion, the trucking industry has a long and rich history, dating back to the late 1800s. Today, it is a vital part of the economy, responsible for hauling billions of tons of freight every year. Truck drivers are paid well for their work, with the average driver making $56,748 per year. Owner-operators can make even more with up to $200,000 per year. The trucking industry is predicted to continue to grow in the coming years, so now is a great time to enter the field!