CDL truck driver jobs can offer individuals the chance to travel across the country and work outside the confines of an office. Drivers can also look forward to an occupation that is expected to grow by 9% until 2018.
Truck drivers are responsible for picking, moving and delivering goods from one location to another. The work can involve transporting items from a manufacturing plant to a distribution warehouse or from a distribution warehouse to a retail business. Other key parts of the job may include loading and unloading shipments, ensuring the equipment is working properly and updating logs of pickups and deliveries.
A person with a commercial driver’s license (CDL) may transport freight for a railroad, ship or an airline company. A driver may be employed to move freight for an individual client or they can work for themselves as owner/operators on a contractual basis.
Often, CDL truck driver jobs can vary depending on the mileage driven and the kind of cargo transported. For example, long-haul truck drivers are typically responsible for planning their cross-country routes and destination times. Pick-up and delivery drivers work in urban areas on consistent and scheduled routes. Specially trained drivers may carry hazardous industrial chemicals, dangerous materials, over-sized loads or other unique loads in vans or semi-trailers. A truck driver may also work as a sales or route driver and be responsible for delivering and arranging items that are sold in grocery and other retail stores.
Education for a CDL Truck Driver
Although formal education is not needed, a general high school diploma is preferred by most employers. In addition, a vocational training program from an accredited truck driving institution can open up more job opportunities and provide higher pay for individuals.
A driver that uses a truck with a gross weight of 26,001 pounds, or that operates a vehicle loaded with hazardous materials or an over-sized load, needs a commercial driver’s license. Several states also require drivers to complete a truck safety and driving skills course before individuals can obtain a license.
CDL Truck Driver Jobs Salary
In May of 2008, individuals that operate heavy tractor-trailer trucks made $17.92 per hour on average. Pick-up and delivery drivers typically earned an hourly rate of $13.27. Sales and delivery truck drivers were paid $10.70 hourly including commissions according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.