Is It Time to Get Into Trucking in 2021?

Trucking is an important business. While most people only know trucks for their presence on the highways, trucking is responsible for the movement of 71 percent of all freight in America. There’s no doubt about it; without truckers, very few industries would do as well as they’re doing right now. 

However, you might have heard that the trucking business in 2021 is a little strange. There’s currently a truck driver shortage happening right now. This trucker shortage, if it continues, could cause problems for many of our nation’s most prosperous industries. 

When the COVD-19 pandemic first hit, unemployment rates jumped higher than they’ve been for 90 years. If you lost your job due to COVID 19, no one can blame you. The COVID pandemic ravaged our world. 

If you lost your job to the COVID-pandemic, trucking in 2021 might be right for you. It’s a great way to do meaningful work and receive a significant paycheck. It’s also a great job for anyone entering the job market. 

This article will walk you through everything you need to know about truck driving and walk you through what a trucking career is like. 

What Caused the Truck Driver Shortage?  

As stated earlier, trucking companies are having a tough time hiring employees. This is dire for the industry because the cost of sitting and storing a truck is high, ranging from 500 to 1,500 dollars a day per single truck.

One of the reasons for the truck driver shortage is age restrictions. Even though 49 states allow younger drivers to get commercial licenses to drive larger trucks, there’s a federal restriction not enabling people under the age of 21 to be truck drivers. 

While this doesn’t seem like it would kneecap an industry too much, you’d be surprised. The ages of 18-21 are extremely crucial to people figuring out what they want to do for the rest of their lives.

If someone graduates high school and doesn’t go to college, they can’t immediately go into the truck driving industry. This means they’re likely to get swept up by another industry and find it difficult to make their way back to trucking. They might not even consider this lucrative industry as an option.

The numbers reflect this. The average age of a truck driver in the United States is 55 years old. Compare this to the average age of a waiter or waitress — 29. 

The COVID crises made this even worse. Many truck driving schools were forced to close down. This prevented new, young members from coming in. 

What Does the Truck Driver Shortage Mean For You? 

The truck driver shortage has caused many driving companies to sweeten the deal. Truck drivers were already averaging around 73,000 dollars a year, but many companies have upped that to around 86,000. While you won’t be making that as a new member, it’s an improvement over what you would have gotten before. 

If you’ve recently come to an unexpected end in a job and want to switch over to a much more reliable industry, consider coming into the world of truck driving. After all, the shortage wasn’t caused by drivers quitting, but drivers not being trained. The few truck drivers around are sitting pretty — you can be one of those as well. 

The truck driving industry is a lot more customizable than you might think. Many companies offer more local routes, which will allow you to stay home on the weekends. This is especially true for new drivers, as they learn how the business works. 

The industry is especially great to get into right now if you don’t fit the traditional demographic of a truck driver. Many truck driving companies are looking to hire you if you’re a young person, a woman, or a veteran. 

The Truck Driving Industry Offers Opportunity 

Unlike many other physical jobs, the truck driving industry offers opportunities for upward mobility. There are many opportunities to move up into a driving trainer or transportation manager. Even within the position of “truck driver,” you can find yourself on more routes and routes that pay more money. 

This means that the truck driving industry doesn’t just satisfy your monetary needs. It also satisfies your personal needs for human fulfillment. If you’re a young person looking for a career with many changes, the truck driving industry can offer that to you.  

The Truck Driving Business Provides a Community

Many industries in our contemporary world feel soulless. It’s tough to work in an office without feeling like a cog in a machine, and many people who work in the food service industries report feeling as though they’re constantly competing with their coworkers. 

However, working for the trucking industry means working with coworkers who respect you. Once again, the job is about much more than making money. While going out on the road by yourself is very individualistic, meetings with other drivers, warehouse workers, and dispatch will provide you with a great sense of teamwork. 

You Can Join Trucking Dispatching as Well

If you’re looking to get into a great industry, but if you don’t think driving trucks is right for you, you can always become a dispatcher. Our website offers dispatch training courses that will teach you everything you need to know to become a great member of this industry. 

Find Yourself a New and Improved Career 

If you lost your job due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the truck driving industry is sympathetic to your plight. The truck driving industry has also taken significant blows. However, that doesn’t mean you’re a bad worker, and it doesn’t mean the truck driving industry is worse. 

Take advantage of the truck driver shortage, and come gain the training, community, salary, and upward mobility that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

For more information, contact us today.