The demand for truck drivers is at an all-time high, and this trend is expected to continue well into the next two decades. First-year drivers usually, according to the labor department usually earn 42,000+ and $60,000+ by year 3. However, recently CNN found that there is such an enormous demand for professional truck drivers, over 50,000 more drivers are needed, that salaries now have soared to $73,000/year range, especially those hired by private fleets. Some articles about truck driver salaries showed even higher numbers. One article showed several companies paying $82,000/year.
Full benefits are also offered by most mid-size to large trucking companies. These companies often will reimburse students for tuition (see job placement). Further, since there is a driver shortage, bonuses are often part of the deal as well.
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* Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $48,710. The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,480 per year according to the 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.