TRUCKING JOBS * USA - Can You Make Money in the Trucking Industry?

Truck drivers earn a generous salary for the level of education required for the job

USA -eHow, by John Hewitt -18 Dec 2009: -- According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), general heavy freight truck drivers earned a median salary of $18.38 per hour in May 2006. The BLS states that the current overall outlook for truck driver employment is "favorable," although there is high competition for the best-paying truck driver jobs... Career Advancement: Beginning truck drivers usually will not be permitted to drive heavy freight trucks. They will be started on lighter trucks and paid a lower salary likely with fewer available benefits. One easier way for truck drivers to break into the industry is to work as an "extra driver," which means acting as a replacement for a more experienced driver who is indisposed due to medical issues or vacation... Maintaining a good driving record, showing up to work on time and completing jobs on schedule are all effective methods for job advancement within the trucking industry. Attending training courses for more advanced equipment also can open higher-paying job opportunities. Becoming an owner-operator of a truck also can earn a truck driver more money, but requires a substantial initial investment in a vehicle and insurance along with the fact that it requires them to constantly search for new jobs...(Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of futureatlas.com)