CDL Truck Driver Job Facts!
A CDL or Commercial Drivers License truck driver job will pay the entry driver around $34,000 per year. Once they have gained some experience usually as an OTR (over-the-road) driver and for a minimum period of a year, their salary can jump to around $50,000. There are many more avenues open to a CDL truck driver for him or her to embark on a professional career. These are responsible truck driver jobs, which are important to the nation's economy, and they are also very well paying jobs. Many owner operators began their careers straight from attending a truck driving school at a local community college, and worked their way through the system until they were in a position to lease or purchase their own trucks.
The CDL truck driver job can be tailored to suit your own needs. Sounds a bit fanciful, but there are so many jobs available that a driver should be able to find something that works in with his family commitments, or lifestyle. Not everyone wants a CDL truck driver job that sends them all over the country and brings them home for a couple of days every 2 weeks. A large number of drivers are happy to leave each day for work as a company driver. They know they will be home for dinner and on weekends and that suits them. These people have had to weigh up the pros and cons of earning more pay and spending more time away from home with the benefits of less pay, but more time for family and loved ones.
Drivers who have their CDL Class A license are really in the driver's seat in these trying times. It is common knowledge that there is a huge problem of driver retention in truck driving jobs. The younger drivers do not always cope well with the driving challenges that face them day to day. More and more truck drivers who are over 50 are being either encouraged to rejoin the industry or to stay on. These grey haired CDL truckers bring stability, reliability and conscientiousness into their truck driver job and are perfect role models for the younger CDL truck drivers.
Many of the carriers have found themselves to be in a difficult position with relation to their CDL truck drivers, and a lot of well ingrained attitudes have had to change. More and more women are becoming CDL drivers and they are proving to be highly sought after because of their attention to detail and reliability. Their presence has also spearheaded a lot of very long overdue changes to the industry as the CDL truck driver job has always historically been a 100% mail dominion. The highest paid CDL truck driver job will be the driving of the specialized rigs and equipment. These experienced drivers can command in excess of $70,000 per year which is a fair return for their often difficult job. Very close behind are the owner drivers who can earn excellent money through leasing or purchasing their own trucks and then contracting them out to the large carrier companies. The CDL truck driver job has also come of age with the latest of technology. Most OTR drivers will drive tractor-trailers that are fitted with the latest GPS systems so that at any given time they and their base know exactly where they are. Cabs are designed with the safety and comfort of the driver being of paramount importance. Seats are more comfortable and suited to the long hours of driving, cabs now contain many of the comforts of home such as fridge, microwave and double bed. Many of these drivers are away for several weeks at a time, the trucks only stopping for fuel, food and either loading or unloading. 
Truck Driving Jobs
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