In a world where the open road feels like a second home, the search for the best truck driving jobs unfolds as unpredictably as the paths taken by dedicated professionals who navigate the country every day. Every CDL holder has their tale of triumphs and challenges, detailing not just the hundreds of thousands of miles traveled, but also the numerous carriers worked for. The reasons for seasoned truckers hopping from one employer to another are varied, with the pursuit of better compensation, bonuses, benefits, and a friendlier environment being some examples. They are all reasons even entry-level Class A drivers are equally anxious to secure the “best truck driving jobs” available and start to see miles add up on their logs without incident.
It’s important to understand the multitude of jobs in this diverse industry, their various compensation packages, and their overall role in a much bigger picture.
So, buckle-up tight and delve into the question: how do we identify and secure positions with top truck driving firms? Our journey begins charting the highest paying trucking jobs and where to find the best finds.
Contents:
- Best truck driving jobs: what are they?
- What Are the Different Types of Truck Drivers?
- Choosing the Best Truck Driving Job
- Highest Paying Trucking Jobs
- Best Truck Driving Jobs
- Conclusion
Best Truck Driving Jobs: What are They?
The best truck driving job is not just about the pay, bonuses, miles or the home-time — it's about the personal preferences of every driver. Whether a company pays a fair wage, treats their drivers well, the relationship between dispatcher and driver, style and condition of the trucks, color, and brand of truck, working conditions, driving conditions and freight — are all a part of what makes a particular trucking job the best! Essentially, what constitutes the best truck driving job is highly subjective.
The trucking industry is so diverse in terms of what you haul and how far you go, that it has led to different types of truck driving jobs, which can have a dramatic effect on how much money you can earn and the type of work life you can lead. Understanding the different types of Class A drivers is crucial to finding a job that meets your expectations.
What Are the Different Types of Truck Drivers?
Trucking jobs vary widely, each with their own unique set of responsibilities, lifestyle considerations, and compensation packages. Understanding these variations is the first step in selecting the job that best fits your preferences and career goals. The different types of trucking jobs include:
Over-the-Road (OTR) Trucking: These drivers cover long distances, often traveling through several states. This category of trucking involves being on the road for weeks, however OTR truck driving jobs typically pay more and offer the chance to see more of the country.
Regional Trucking: Regional truck drivers operate in a smaller area than OTR drivers and often are out one to two weeks at a time with a few days at home. It’s the perfect compromise between OTR and local routes, given drivers are home weekly — but likely not daily as local drivers are.
Local Trucking: Local truck drivers operate within a relatively small area, allowing them to return home at the end of each shift. Although the pay is generally less than that of an OTR trucking job, for example, the work-life balance it allows makes local truck driving jobs a very attractive alternative for many truckers.
The pay of an OTR driver, on the other hand, runs between $0.44 and $0.58 per mile, according to indeed.com. These types of drivers run up to 3000 miles per week, but only 3.2% of them get weekly home time.
About 60% of regional semi-truck drivers get home time weekly earnings from $0.37 to $0.55 per mile. Their maximal weekly sprint is 2800 miles. Local drivers get home practically every day – 52.3% of them, indeed.com declares to get daily home time. Local drivers can spend up to 2500 miles per week, their CPM is $0.42-$0.71. But it doesn't mean that local drivers have a bigger paycheck for work done. According to ZipRecruiter.com, local truck drivers can expect to pull down an average of $63,000 per year but can top out at $88,000. OTR company drivers will average $78,846, while those that max out will clear $150,000.
Specialized Trucking: Specialized trucking includes flatbed, dry van and refrigerated (reefer) freight, as well as tanker trucks. Each type requires specific skills and certifications, but typically comes with higher pay rates.
Owner Operator: While getting your start as a truck driver with a trucking company can be a great way to break into the business, many drivers eventually look to go into business for themselves as owner-operators. It requires a large upfront investment, but offers the highest level of independence and, potentially, earnings. According to ZipRecruiter, the USA is offering owner operators an average annual income ending in $228,575. Virtuosos, they add, score even $399,500. However, as they rightly stress, they bear all the burdens of their business – customers, invoices, and trucks. There's no company (carrier) behind owner operators to lend support, fix their truck when it breaks, get them a spare truck, and/or keep the flow of orders constantly high to maintain a good money income, flow of orders or not.
Choosing the Best Truck Driving Job
Choosing the best truck driving job is no small task. It will impact your career trajectory and personal life far beyond the amounts listed on a salary offer. As you weigh your options, consider a wide range of factors that will influence satisfaction and quality of life for the duration of your truck driving career. Drivers must balance pay with home time, particularly when considering many high-paying jobs (Occupational Outlook Handbook), like OTR, that take drivers away from home for weeks or months at a time. Other benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plan options, or bonuses for mileage or safety performance, will also make a big difference in your long-term job satisfaction.
The type of freight and driving conditions themselves – local routes versus runs that will take you cross-country, for instance – will dictate a great deal of what your day-to-day life on the job will look like. The appeal of predictable schedules that most local and regional jobs offer, or the independence that comes with working as an owner-operator, will be of paramount concern as you make your choice. Your preference for working solo or a team engine will also be a major factor in your decision-making.
In thinking critically about these and other elements of potential truck driving jobs, CDL holders can ensure their jobs match their desired balance between home and the open road, their career long-term goals, and their financial needs.
Highest Paying Trucking Jobs
In the search for the highest paying trucking jobs, the roles of owner operators, heavy haul truckers, and hazmat tank drivers are at the top. Owner operators usually make the most money because they have the flexibility to negotiate their rates and choose the loads that are the best fit for them. The trade-off for greater earnings potential is the responsibility of managing their own business, including covering all truck payments, fuel, insurance, and maintenance expenses. This role requires a strong business sense that allows you to manage your costs effectively.
Heavy haul, tankers, and HazMat are specialized freight areas that command higher trucking salaries. The certifications and additional training required for these positions reflect the added risk and skill necessary to transport hazardous materials or oversized loads safely. The pay often reflects that increased level of responsibility and expertise.
You will get $57,554 on average ($28 an hour) if you are a HazMat driver in the United States. While the entry-level positions start at $31,000/year, most experienced workers make up to $110,000 per year.
And you will bring in $71,196 on average as a heavy haul company driver in the United States, ZipRecruiter says. The top positions are said to offer you $104,000.
Team driving, especially on long-haul routes, is also an area where drivers often earn more. Trucking companies reward the ability to keep trucks moving around the clock, and offer premium pay to teams who are willing to share the long hours, driving responsibilities, and work to minimize delivery times.
According to ZipRecruiter, as a company team driver you can make $90,312, and its most generous offer is $151,000. Team driving can be one of the best paying truck driving jobs, especially if you have a reliable and easy-going partner to keep up with the long-haul pace for weeks.
Best Truck Driving Jobs
Identifying the best truck driving companies to work for is key for drivers looking to maximize their earnings and job satisfaction. Top companies consistently rank high in driver satisfaction, offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and supportive work environments. Such firms care about their drivers, recognizing that a happy driver is a productive and safe driver. These companies generally offer a mix of appealing features, including sign-on bonuses, performance-based pay increases, retirement plans, and health benefits that exceed the industry standard. They often also make home time a priority, realizing that maintaining a solid work-life balance keeps their workforce motivated and limits turnover. Additionally, the best companies invest in modern, well-maintained fleets, minimizing downtime and mechanical issues that can cripple a driver’s earnings and job satisfaction. By finding employers that are committed to driver well-being and professional advancement, CDL holders can secure a rewarding career that offers financial security and personal contentment.
Conclusion
As we've discovered, finding the best truck driving jobs is as diverse a journey as the industry itself. Drivers have a roadmap to success through understanding the various types of trucking jobs, employing fail-safe tactics to navigate the highest paying opportunities, and identifying the best companies to work for. By finding the right type of job – local, regional, or OTR; dry van, flatbed, or specialized freight – that aligns with one’s personal and professional goals, and working to continuously improve one’s skills and specialize, drivers can take great strides toward bettering their careers and their lives. In this vital, swiftly changing, and exponentially expanding field, there are ample opportunities for growth and prosperity by those with the knowledge, skills, and drive, to embark on it.
Take a look at the bonuses you can get before you join any trucking company's workforce. HMD Trucking's offer stands up to the highest and most lucrative standards:
- you will receive 60 CPM with a 10 CPM safety/productivity bonus if you are a dry van solo;
- 65 CPM all miles and home weekly if you a regional dry can solo;
- 77 CPM split plus a 5 CPM safety/productivity bonus if you are a dry van team;
- 65 CPM if you are a flatbed solo and 77 CPM split for teams plus a 5 CPM productivity (11k miles monthly);
- for hazmat/doubles teams, you will get 81 CPM all miles paid plus a 5 CPM safety/productivity bonus; $100 if you get a clean inspection bonus;
- $2,000 with their referral bonus;
- health, dental, vision, 401k, PTO for all positions;
- and much, much, much more.
If you haven't yet, fill the form below to apply!
