High-Paying Trucking Jobs in 2021

August 2, 2021

Did you know? There are 11.84 billion tons of freight transported by trucks in the US yearly. No wonder why trucking jobs are popular nowadays.

With the great demand for online shopping, people are now relying on the trucking industry to transport goods. Thus, lucrative paychecks await those who have trucking jobs in 2021.

From clothes to fresh food, trucking jobs aren’t going away soon. Probably not ever.

Given this, here are the 8 highest-paying trucking jobs in 2021.

Being an Owner Operator

As its name suggests, being an owner operator means that you own and operate your  truck/s on a day-to-day basis.

Owner operator jobs top the list of high-paying trucking professions because of their endless earning potential.

Based on research, an owner operator can earn up to $300,000 per year, before business expenses. That’s just for one truck. Imagine how much you can earn if you have many trucks.

It’s not just the high pay though. Being an owner operator allows you to be the boss. This means that you control your schedule. You can also help people by employing them.

Being a successful owner-operator requires you to partner with a reliable trucking company like CargoX.

CargoX offers many benefits such as high compensation, layover & detention pay, free insurance, fuel card advances, and truck service discount.

Being an Oversized Load Hauler.

Among the most lucrative trucking jobs in 2021 is being an oversized hauler.

Oversized load haulers earn more than regular truck drivers because they carry bigger and heavier freights. Examples of oversized loads are construction machinery, factory equipment, and pre-built homes.

Due to the nature of this trucking job, drivers need to have a special license and extensive training.

On the bright side, the bigger the load, the more you’ll get paid. On average, an oversized load hauler can earn up to $90,000 per year. The amount can go up the more work a hauler takes.

Being a Tanker Hauler.

Speaking of haulers, another trucking job that pays well involves hauling special containers called tankers.

Tankers contain liquid such as gasoline and hazardous chemicals. Thus, tanker truck drivers have to be extremely careful.

You need special training to be a tanker hauler. You also have to wear special protective equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and face masks.

However, with great risk comes great reward. On average, tanker haulers in the US earn $80,000 per year.

As a bonus, tanker trucking jobs usually have low unloading time, which lasts between 15 to 20 minutes. Loading time usually lasts between 45 minutes to 1 hour. This is way faster compared to regular trucking jobs.

Being an Ice Road Trucker.

Being an ice road trucker is one of those trucking jobs that’s so challenging it deserves a reality TV show.

You read it right. There was a reality TV show called Ice Road Truckers. It had 11 seasons.

Ice road truckers traverse extreme conditions. They drive over frozen lakes, rivers, and roads.

These truckers usually carry food, equipment, fuel, and general supplies. Restaurants, grocery stores, and mines heavily rely on ice road drivers to deliver the supplies they need.

Since traveling on frozen waterways and roads is dangerous, ice road truck drivers are compensated well.

The average ice road driver earns $40,000 to $55,000 per year. Seasoned ice road truckers can earn up to $100,000, excluding bonuses during winter.

Being a Transport Driver.

The US imports thousands of cars each year. Transport drivers are cashing in on this industry.

Aside from regular cars, transport drivers also carry junked cars, luxury cars, and specialty vehicles.

Since vehicles are more valuable than regular loads, transport drivers earn more than regular drivers on average. Transport drivers can earn up to $53,000 each year.

This can go higher, depending on the number and type of loads you have. For instance, carrying luxury cars will earn you more money compared to junked cars.

Being a Broker.

You don’t have to be a truck owner or driver to earn in the trucking industry. You can be a broker as well.

Brokers charge 15 to 25% of the profit from the loads they pass to owner operators. They do most of the legwork. Due to this, they are highly rewarded.

However, brokers need connections to thrive in the trucking industry. They need excellent negotiating skills as well.

If you want to be a broker, you must possess the said skills.

A broker in the United States earns $40,000 to $70,000 per year on average. The amount can go higher depending on the cost of transporting certain loads.

Being a Private Fleet Driver.

A private fleet is operated by big companies whose focus is not trucking.

For instance, Amazon has a private fleet with the sole purpose of delivering goods to its consumers.

The number and value of shipments private fleets transport continues to rise. Even more growth is expected in the next decade.

In addition, more truck drivers join private fleets due to the high pay and benefits. In general, private fleet drivers earn $67,000 annually, on top of benefits.

Being an Instructor.

Trucking jobs are lucrative. If you’re reading this article because you want to be a truck driver or owner operator, chances are, you have to learn how to handle trucks.

Thus, aspiring truck professionals, especially those mentioned above, have to take certain courses to get their special licenses.

The one who profits the most from these courses? The instructors.

Entry-level instructors can earn $40,000 to $50,000 per year in the US. The amount goes up for advanced or specialized instructors.

The Bottomline

Trucking jobs can give you a large paycheck given the right circumstances. However, if you’re looking for the job that pays the most, consider being an owner operator.

Don’t get us wrong, being a truck driver can compensate you well. However, as a truck driver, you’re trading your time for money.

As an owner operator, you control your time. Plus, the more trucks you own, the bigger the monetary reward will be.

           

If you’re not ready to be an owner operator yet, that’s fine. Being a truck driver can be a stepping stone to having your own trucking business.

What are you waiting for? Start cashing in on the truck industry now!

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