7 Highest Paying Trucking Jobs In 2020
2020 has been a tough year for the trucking industry. Freight rates started off low and many carriers were struggling to survive, and then Covid struck. If you weren’t hauling essential supplies, you were likely getting fewer miles. A lot of trucking companies couldn’t survive.
Despite these challenges, some are thriving and there’s still a lot of money to be made in trucking. Here are the top-paying trucking jobs.
1. Ice Road Trucking
The driving seasons are short — 3 to 4 months — but drivers can make a lot of money during the Ice Road Trucking season. CDLLife spoke with one of the Ice Road Truckers partner companies.
Kimberley Wilkie, VP Express Office Manager, said, “The drivers are generally paid depending on the load, the remoteness of the community and the terrain they will have to travel to deliver that load. The weather is also another huge factor in the paycheck. Winter Roads don’t all open on a specific time or day. It depends on Mother Nature how soon they open and how long they remain passable. In a really good season, when all the planets align, a driver can make a year’s salary in a winter road season.”
Not everyone can do the job, though. It’s dangerous and scary and many of the companies require significant experience and endorsements.
“We prefer drivers with a minimum of 5 years trucking experience with clean drivers abstracts. That experience must include hauling all types of freight (vans, decks, reefers, over sized and Hazmat),” said Wilkie.
Read more about what it takes to be an Ice Road Trucker here.
2. Heavy Haul/Oversize
According to ZipRecruiter, “as of Jun 5, 2020, the average annual pay for an Oversize Load Driver in the United States is $55,289 a year.
However, according to WideLoadShipping.com, “oversized load truckers earn between $53,125 and $90,000 on average.”
In order to be an oversize driver, you will need experience. Some companies require as much as 10 years of experience. You should also consider getting hazmat and tanker endorsements, as this will increase your odd of getting hired.
View Available Heavy Haul positions here.
3. Hazmat
According to Slary.com, “A Hazmat Tanker Driver salary in the United States is $62,097 as of April 27, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $54,832 and $71,202;” however, some companies are advertising higher pay. Some companies are advertising $90,000 salaries.
In order to become a hazmat driver, you must have hazmat or X endorsement.
The job is dangerous, as you are transporting potentially deadly materials, but the pay is high and hazmat drivers are in high demand.
4. Tanker
Thanker drivers haul liquids — anything from fuel to milk. Tanker pay is high because hauling liquids can be dangerous.
“The average Hazmat Tanker Driver salary in the United States is $62,207 as of May 28, 2020, but the salary range typically falls between $54,931 and $71,332. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.” according to Salary.com.
Tanker drivers are in very high demand.
5. House Hold Goods Movers
House hold goods movers can make a lot of money and are in high demand. Many choose not to do the job because it’s very physically exhausting as all it is 100% touch freight. Many house hold goods movers
According to the American Movers Society of America, “many owner-operators average about $80,000 to $100,000 a year in net income. Some drivers gross as much as $500,000, but employing helpers drives up expenses.” Company drivers can expect to earn as much as $80,000 per year.
Click here for house hold goods jobs.
6. Team Driving
If you can handle living in a truck with someone else, team driving can be a very lucrative career.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average team driver earns $80,000 per year; however, some have reported pay of $110,000 or more per year.
If you add hazmat, doubles or triples endorsement, your pay can go even higher.
7. Private Fleets
Private fleets, such as Walmart, Sherwin Williams and others historically offer higher pay.
According to the American Trucking Association, private fleet pay is approximately $86,000 a year, whereas a regular OTR driver averages $53,000 per year. A private fleet driver earns $33,000 more per year.
It’s not always easy to get a job with a private fleet, as many have very high driver qualifications. Many require 3-5+ years of experience.
If you want to earn a job for a private fleet, keep your driving record clean and make sure that you maintain a good employment record.
View private fleet jobs here. https://dedicatedjobs.cdllife.com/jobs
Trucking can be a very lucrative career. If you put in your time, get additional training and maintain a clean employment record and diving history, there are a lot of opportunities for growth.