What is the highest paying truck driver job

It is no secret that over the road, or OTR, truck drivers make the best money. Walmart is one of the highest paying, with an average salary of $71,500 per year before bonuses. Over the road drivers are paid more due to the type of travel, the hours involved and all of the different road laws that must be followed in each state. OTR drivers are also held to much higher standards. They deliver a variety of products around the country and have tight delivery schedules to keep. Specialty drivers and long haul drivers rank right up with OTR drivers.

Specialty drivers fall into a special category. These are drivers who haul oversized loads, specialty products, and Hazmat materials mostly. It takes a specially trained driver to take on these trips. Thus, the jobs pay more. The higher pay also means that these drivers are expected to stay up to date on industry policy changes, new laws that go into effect and the laws of the roadways in each area that they travel in.

Truck drivers that belong to a union are also paid higher than national companies are. Unions have several rules in place that require the drivers be paid accordingly. Increases in pay are expected as well. These drivers have a whole different set of rules to follow in addition to the industry standard rules and regulations. Unions each have dues and terms of their own. Each union is different, and it is important that all tractor trailer operators read the entire union agreement before joining.

What Specific Types of Truck Drivers Make the Most Money?

Ice road truckers are the highest paid in the specialty field with oversized load drivers and Hazmat haulers following closely behind. Due to the danger of the job and high risk, ice road truckers have the ability to earn an entire year’s salary in just a couple months’ time. These are the best of the best in the industry. Bravery is only a small part of the job. Skill is required beyond anything else. Truckers have to know how to handle the elements and how to fix their trucks if they break down on a trip.

Next in specific jobs is dump truck drivers for coal mines. Patience is a virtue in this career. The process of loading coal from mines has to be done in a specific manner to ensure that the mine itself is not disrupted. Any sudden jerk or movement that is too abrupt can cause a collapse in the mine.

Oversize load drivers definitely make a comfortable living. A high level of concentration and a great deal of patience is needed for this job. It takes a great deal of skill to keep a large road straight. Sharing the road with oncoming traffic is always a hazard for them. They travel with a team including a spotter so that their journey is safe from start to finish.

Which States Pay the Highest for Truck Driving Jobs?

Contrary to popular belief, truckers’ salaries do not change with the cost of living. There are several occasions when employers in the trucking industry do not make as much due to increased demand with the loads still paying the same amount. On average, the state with the highest paying trucking jobs is Mississippi with an average of $68,000 per year. A lot of heavy hauling and long haul positions are available which require additional skill and experience.

The next state on the list is Wyoming at $61,000. In Wyoming, several specialty trucking positions can be found in which only a small handful of drivers will qualify for. New York follows with an average yearly salary of $60,000. In New York, drivers have icy mountains to travel on in the winter and a lot of crowded roadways.

While there is jobs in each state that pay higher or lower than these averages, they are just that, averages. Salaries vary depending on skill and experience. A truck driver’s salary is also heavily dependent on the type of product they are hauling. Salary is not the only thing to consider when looking for a truck driving job, also look at the benefits and perks offered by the company when applying.

Sources:
Drivers, BLS, and The Trucking Attorneys

Many people are drawn to the idea of being a trucker, often for the opportunity to be out on the road rather than at a desk all day. If this describes you, there are plenty of high-payed trucking jobs available for you to choose from.

In this article, we’ll go over 10 of the highest-paid trucking jobs, as well as some tips on how to become a truck driver.

  • Concierge Luxury Movers

    Average Yearly Salary: Unlimited

    To do this job, you’ll probably have to start out working as a moving van driver, and the pay there will be modest, but it’s all worth it in the long run. The goal is to end up with a luxury moving company or to work independently and cultivate your own client list.

    These drivers work for the elite, celebrities, and the ultra-wealthy. They are responsible for taking care of millions, if not billions, of dollars of merchandise. Sometimes invaluable works of art are their responsibility.

    Knowing how to manage these valuables, having the insurance to cover them, and being the most responsible and well-respected driver in the industry is a job requirement. There also needs to be a commitment to service from start to finish.

    Pros and cons of being a concierge luxury mover: The paychecks can be huge, but the expectations and responsibilities are equally gigantic.

  • Private Fleet Trucking

    Average Yearly Salary: $86,000

    If you work for a private fleet, you’re owned by the company that needs you to ship their supplies. You’re familiar with big-box companies and often see their branded trucks whizzing down the road. These are their private fleet trucks, and they use the same truckers to haul their goods.

    Big box stores were mentioned because they’re the most familiar to many people; there are a lot of other companies who prefer to be responsible for their own trucking and shipping. This means there are many options out there.

    Pros and cons of being a private fleet trucker: Being employed for a private fleet is typically a good job with a steady income, healthy benefits, and reliable work. You won’t have to own your own truck, so you’ll also be saving that expense, and you don’t have to worry about where to park when you’re not on the road.

    However, this also often means you have even more rules and regulations you need to abide by, and you don’t get to be a driver owner.

  • Tanker/Liquid Hauling

    Average Yearly Salary: $61,000

    Moving liquids and gasses requires a skilled tanker driver. Getting a tanker endorsement is a key to getting one of these good-paying jobs. It’s a special skill and has its own dangers.

    Many liquid haulers have to make several stops before their trucks are full; this means they need to be able to drive with partial loads. This might not seem like a big deal until you understand that if they’re driving a food-grade truck, they’re unbaffled – which means there are no breaks to slow any movement of liquid. This can get quite dangerous as the momentum of waves inside the tanker picks up.

    If you want to be a liquid hauler but are looking to make even more money, then getting qualified for hazardous loads could be a way to do that. Of course, with the additional pay comes a lot of additional safety risks.

    Pros and cons of being a tanker/liquid hauler: Tanker/liquid haulers often enjoy large paychecks and an abundance of work, but they also have to deal with often stressful and dangerous jobs.

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  • Haul Truck Driver

    Average Yearly Salary: $61,000

    If the idea of getting additional trucking certifications appeals to you, that’s where you’ll find the money. Another trucking job that requires more training and proving that you’re ready to handle the load is oversize hauling.

    You’ve no doubt seen these trucks on the road before, usually with a large sign announcing the oversize load. Their loads can range from space shuttles to entire homes and a lot of other things in between.

    These loads are usually wider than 8 feet 6 inches, but that can vary a little by state. If the load weighs more than 250,000 pounds, then you’re hauling a super load.

    Pros and cons of being a haul truck driver: Haul truck drivers generally enjoy high salaries and job security, but their job also requires a lot of responsibility, not just for the load and the truck but toward other people on the road with you.

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  • Team Truck Driver

    Average Yearly Salary: $51,000

    When you’re a team driver, it’s the two of you against the world. Well, not really, but it’s two people who take turns driving the same truck. The thought is that the two of them can drive virtually non-stop to get a load to its destination faster.

    Because of the speed involved, your customers are willing to pay a premium, and that’s why team drivers can make a decent living.

    Pros and cons of being a team truck driver: Team driving can be quite taxing and trying since sleeping on the road is rarely as restful as sleeping at home in a bed and the stress of being with the same individual day in and out isn’t for some people.

    But if you can find a teammate and make it work, it’s a great way to get some experience under your belt and money in the bank.

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  • Auto Hauler

    Average Yearly Salary: $41,849

    How about a job driving a vehicle that’s hauling a bunch of other vehicles? What if each of those vehicles you were hauling were worth more money than you’ll make in a year? Luxury vehicles need to be transported around the country for buyers everywhere, and those buyers don’t want one single mile on their pre-ordered beauties.

    This is one of those situations where the more expensive your cargo is, the more you’ll get paid. But of course, you’ll need to have experience, a great driving record, demonstrable skills, etc. With cargo being valuable, the company you work for is going to want to know you’re up to the challenge.

    Pros and cons of being an auto hauler: Auto haulers have to deal with the stress of driving an awkward truck full of high-stakes cargo and dealing with weather delays.

    However, they can also work their way up to high paychecks and the chance to eventually run their own auto hauling business, allowing them to make even more money.

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  • Dump Truck Driver

    Average Yearly Salary: $41,000

    If you’re not from an area where there is a mining industry, you might not realize what a big business it is. If you live in one of these regions and you want to be a driver, then you’ve probably already considered this field of employment.

    There’s another reason to want to work as a driver in the mining industry. If money doesn’t entirely motivate you, perhaps the idea of being able to drive the world’s largest dump truck does. These gigantic trucks are called behemoth dump trucks.

    The largest in the world is the BelAZ 75710, which is housed in Siberia. If you’re not interested in moving to Russia to drive one of these gigantic trucks, you’re in luck because there are similar large ones at big mines around the globe.

    The only downside is you’ll never drive these big guys on the road; they are designed to stay in the mine and move their load from place to place on the property.

    Pros and cons of being a dump truck driver: Many dump truck drivers enjoy working close to home and working regular hours, but they also have to deal with the drawbacks of the job such as isolation and highly seasonal and weather-dependent work.

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  • Owner/Truck Operator

    Average Yearly Salary: $35,000

    It sounds like this is the way to go if you’re in it for the dollar. There are a lot of benefits to being your own boss, choosing the hauls you want, setting your hours and your rates. There’s also never a boss who’s hounding you all the time.

    Of course, there are definitely downsides to this job too. Being your own boss means you need to do everything or pay others to do it. That can include paying bills, doing maintenance, making sales and finding clients, invoicing, marketing, and everything else that comes with owning a business.

    On top of that, one of the biggest responsibilities when you’re the owner/operator of a trucking business, is the truck itself. Trucks are expensive, and they’re used heavily, so regular maintenance occurs all the time, as do unavoidable repairs.

    Pros and cons of being a truck owner/operator: Truck owners/operators get to enjoy being their own bosses, but they also have to deal with the instability that often comes with that as well.

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  • Union Truck Driver

    Average Yearly Salary: $35,000 – 70,000

    If you want to skip all the hassle mentioned above, then it’s best to work for someone else and let them take care of the extra burdens and expenses. Even better, join a union, and they’ll add further protection and benefits.

    Being in a union means that there is a group overseeing your pay, benefits, working conditions, and all other aspects that go into a job. They are designed to protect workers from unfair working conditions and other abuses in the workspace. It is important to note that most truck drivers are not unionized, so it might be difficult to find a job with a union.

    Pros and cons of being a union truck driver: Union truck drivers enjoy the protections that unions can offer them and the stability that comes with working for a truck driving company. However, they also have to pay union dues and often have little-to-no flexibility in their work.

  • Ice Road Trucker

    Average Yearly Salary: $50,000 – 78,000 (during season)

    This list wouldn’t be complete without ice road truckers. If you’ve seen the show, you might know a little bit about ice road trucking. It’s a dangerous job that’s entirely at the mercy of Mother Nature.

    They face frigid temperatures, whiteouts, avalanches, snow, sleet, rain, and just about anything that can make the roads difficult to navigate – especially when pulling a load.

    For those who do decide that ice road trucking is their thing, they typically make that decision because of the pay. There’s a season for this type of job, and it can be only a couple of months long. Their pay is based on the work they do during this season. That means they don’t have to work for the rest of the year, or they could opt to do other types of trucking and make even more.

    Pros and cons of being an ice road trucker: Many ice road truckers enjoy the adventure and challenge of their work, as well as the high pay. However, the downsides of this line of work include a significant amount of danger.

  • If the thought of earning this much for driving a truck appeals to you, then there are some steps you’ll need to take to get your license and begin driving – a regular driver’s license simply isn’t going to be enough. The following are going to be important steps in starting your career.

    If you can hit those three truck driving requirements, then you’re ready for a life on the road, making money while racking up miles.

    Where are truck drivers paid the most?

    Highest-Paid Truck Drivers By State.

    Which trucking company pays the most 2022?

    The 10 Best Paying Trucking Companies.
    Sysco Foods..
    Walmart..
    GP Transco..
    Marten Transport..
    ABF Freight System..
    Barr-Nunn Transportation..
    Dupre Logistics..

    What driving job pays the most?

    3 best-paid driving jobs.
    Tanker driver..
    Tractor-trailer truck driver..
    Owner-operator driver. National average salary: $301,511 per year. ... .
    Automobile hauler. ... .
    Ice road truck driver. ... .
    Hazardous materials hauler. ... .
    Heavy equipment transporter. ... .
    Mining truck driver..