The trucking industry has its hands within a lot of other industries to assist in making other businesses run smoothly. This industry is not for someone who does not want a physically demanding job with long, tiring hours. In some aspects of an industry like this, a person might spend days or weeks away from their family.

With these hours, there is a lot of flexibility for people to work a long work week but still be able to spend time with family. A good thing about this type of industry is that there are a variety of different options available for people who have all different talents and experiences. The jobs here are not just driver jobs, but there are customer service reps and dispatchers as well as warehouse workers.

With all this variety of job options, almost anyone can find a position within this industry. There is a need for all types of talents here and it not all positions require any specific education or experience to gain employment. This can be a great opportunity for those first time job seekers to gain valuable experience to move onto another career.

If being out on the road for days at a time sounds like an interesting job, this could be an ideal place for you to find yourself.

Job Opportunities

Here are some employment opportunities that you can find in the trucking industry:

Driver: A driver is responsible for the pick-up and delivery of cargo trailers. They must ensure that everything is hitched properly to avoid the cargo trailer from unhinging and causing injury to other drivers on the road. They are supposed to follow any tractor trailer inspection that is required by regulations. They must deliver the cargo on time and according to the customer’s requests. They are to perform any other tasks that the delivery requires them to do. Drivers often drive for long distances and must follow the safety protocols regarding taking breaks so they do not fall asleep behind the wheel and causing accidents. This is very important to ensure everyone’s safety, both the driver and the other drivers on the streets. To become a driver at most companies, you will need to be at least 21 years old and have a Class A-CDL license. They should have a clean driving record. They will also be required to pass a drug test and often will need to meet other medical clearances. They can earn around $38,000 a year.

Dock Worker: The dock worker is headquartered at the warehouse and will load and unload cargo from the trailer. Sometimes this requires the use of a fork lift or other heavy machinery to accomplish. They prepare freight for transport and completing all necessary paperwork. This is a very physically demanding job, often requiring heavy lifting. They must know how to safely handle heavy machinery and follow all other safety regulations put into place by their company. There is no education level required for this position. They must be able to pass a drug test, in addition to any background check required by their company. They can typically earn around $11 per hour.

Technician: Technicians are responsible for maintaining the trailers so that they are always working in optimal condition. They are tasked with ensuring repairs are done as needed and done properly. They should be sure that everything is in working condition before letting the driver’s go out on deliveries to ensure the safety of the truck driver and everyone else on the road. They should have excellent knowledge of repairing tractor trailers and have previous technical experience. They must inspect the trailer and the tractor rig to ensure everything is in working order. Most companies require a person to have a minimum of 2 years of experience working on this type of equipment, though applicants who have technical school training is preferred. While no education level is required, a person is preferred if they have schooling in this field. A technical must pass a drug test before employment and might be subjected to random drug testing during employment. A technician can make around $13 per hour.

Clerk: A clerk is responsible for day to day office duties. They will handle any administrative paperwork, including managing invoices or transport orders for the company and drivers. They also deal with customer service tasks, including assisting customers in tracking down their cargo. In some companies, this position requires the clerk to deal with dispatching duties to keep track of their company’s drivers. This is a fast paced position that requires a person to be able to work quickly and efficiently. They should be excellent at multi-tasking and needs to have the ability to prioritize their duties so the most important tasks get completed first. They need to have the ability to enter items quickly into a computer, so it is necessary to be very proficient with computers and data entry programs like word or excel. A high school diploma is preferred to become a clerk. They can earn around $11 per hour.

Job Outlook

The job growth in this industry is said estimated at around 11%. This is right on track with the national average of 11%. This could be of the increase of the needs from this type of industry. As other businesses grow, they will require more cargo that needs delivery to their business. As a result, more people will be needed in this industry to keep up with the demand.