The Highest-Paying Truck Driving Jobs

Whether you already have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or are looking to get one, you may be interested in getting an additional endorsement to increase your earning potential. Even if you don’t want to pursue an endorsement, you can still make a reliable living by earning a CDL because truck drivers are in high demand.

At Driving Academy, headquartered in New Jersey with more locations coming soon, we provide CDL driver training and road testing to prepare students for CDL exams and a wide variety of truck driving jobs. Here, we discuss the highest-paying jobs for truckers and how our programs can help you start working toward them.

Why Is the Demand for Truck Drivers High?

Truck drivers are in high demand for a few reasons. For starters, commercial truck drivers are vital for transporting goods from one place to another. Big businesses consistently need delivery drivers in their supply chain, which is one reason the demand for truck drivers is high. This demand grew during the pandemic, and many Americans have adopted shopping online as the norm, increasing demand for delivery drivers and long-haul truckers even more.

Another reason is that there is a shortage of skilled commercial truck drivers. This is due to current drivers retiring or switching jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), around 241,200 job openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers will be available each year over the decade. Most of these will result from the need to replace workers who exit the labor force.

Types of Trucking Jobs with More Earning Potential

Since the demand for truck drivers is high, many trucking companies are increasing pay and benefits to attract more drivers. This is enough to entice many people into getting a CDL. Fortunately, there are many different types of truck driving jobs, with some helping you earn more than others. Some of the higher-paying trucking jobs include:

Owner-Operator Truck Driver

An owner-operator truck driver is one of the highest-paying trucking jobs. It describes a driver who works independently rather than for a trucking company and possesses and manages one or more cargo trucks. They can decide what jobs they want to take on.

Besides driving their own cargo truck, owner-operators also must determine routes, load and unload their truck, deliver items, and take on other tasks. They can work as freelancers with different businesses or work with one under contract. Since owner-operator truck drivers have higher expenses than other types, they often have a higher salary. According to Indeed, the national average salary for an owner-operator trucker driver is $210,396 per year.

Tanker Driver

Working as a tanker driver is another higher-than-average paying trucking job. A tanker driver operates a truck carrying a special tank of liquids or gases. To become a tanker driver, you need a tanker endorsement on your CDL to ensure you can safely transport these liquids or gases. The national average salary for a tanker driver is $84,461 per year, according to Indeed.

Hazmat Tanker Driver

A hazmat tanker driver is another trucking job that offers a higher salary. Hazmat drivers are similar to tanker drivers, but their tanker trucks carry hazardous materials like gasoline, propane, or alcohol. These drivers must get a hazardous endorsement on their CDL before they can transport these materials. It can be worth it, though. The salary range for hazmat tanker drivers ranges from $61,500 to $127,000 per year, according to ZipRecruiter.

Long-Haul Trucker

A long-haul truck driver consistently travels long distances to transport goods, often stopping multiple times for deliveries along the way. Long-haul truckers also must keep track of their expenses, stops, miles, and other details when on the road. Since the places long-haul truckers travel to can be hundreds or thousands of miles away, they typically make more money than local truckers. According to Indeed, the average salary for long-haul truckers is $78,302 per year.

If you’re interested in a high-paying trucking job, you may need an endorsement on your CDL. Driving Academy can help you succeed with training courses for three types of CDL (Class A, Class B, and Class B+P) led by experienced instructors. We even offer a Guaranteed CDL Training program to help you earn your CDL that includes unlimited attempts on the road test.

Learn More About Truck Driving Jobs From Driving Academy

Are you ready to start training for a high-paying trucking job? Trust the training offered at Driving Academy, with locations in New Jersey and soon nationwide. Our training is designed to get you on the road to freedom. Driving Academy aims to make the CDL training and testing process as easy as possible with affordable payment plans, flexible schedules, and lifetime job placement assistance. To learn more about CDL training at Driving Academy, contact us today.