Are you thinking about taking a truck driver job and driving over the road? This is a great time to make the change. In fact, a recent article in the Wall Street Journal stated that long haul trucking jobs are in high demand and there’s a boom in this market. Here are some good reasons to get behind the wheel of a big rig soon.
Incentives
Because freight companies need more drivers, they offer attractive incentives to attract the best drivers. Some offer 7500 dollar sign on bonuses for experienced drivers. Many companies now offer tuition reimbursement programs to help people earn their CDL qualifications. You also can find companies paying sign-on bonuses to inexperienced drivers. This is a good time to go to truck driving school.
Strong Economy
As the US dollar gets stronger, imported goods are in demand. These goods come in from ships and need drivers to haul them all over the country. This creates more long haul trucking jobs, and companies need more drivers. In fact, the American Trucking Association recently reported that the over the road trucking industry needs another 48,000 drivers right now.
More Pay
The rule of supply and demand applies to OTR truck driver pay. Because there are not enough drivers, companies raise shipping rates so they can pay their drivers more. In fact, in just the past few years, average wages are up seventeen percent. During this same time period, average income in the country went up less than four percent.
Competition
Competition is fierce among companies offering long haul trucking jobs. This is a good time to make comparisons when you look for employment. Companies may raise their bonuses and increase job benefits to stay ahead of their competitors, and the truck drivers win big when this happens. The future is bright for these jobs.
