Truck Driving School

Top 5 Highest Paid Trucking Jobs

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Truck driving industry has been around for a very long time and the value of truck drivers to every country’s economy is enormous.

The importance of truck drivers was once more acknowledged during the COVID 19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, there’s still a lot of money to be made in trucking. Trucking is a well-paid career. Drivers can earn about $75,000 a year, depending on their load type, mileage, and experience.

Many of the highest paid trucking jobs require transporting dangerous or difficult loads. If the trucking job requires more skills, you will earn higher salary.  If truck drivers have the right experience and license, they will get many valuable opportunities in the trucking business.

If you’re going to be a truck driver, you can make the best money in the industry. This job deserves decent payment for all the long hours spending on the road away from home.

The high paid trucking jobs in the trucking industry include special requirements that not many truckers can follow for various reasons.

How Can I Get The High Paid Truck Driver Jobs?

To earn a higher salary, high paying trucking jobs require drivers that are more experienced and have more professional skills than the average truck driver who transports consumer good.

If you want to get the highest paying trucking jobs, truck drivers will be required:

  • More risks

Truck drivers will have more risks because these jobs are connected with higher degree of danger.

  • More responsibility

As these jobs require more risk, you will have more responsibility for transporting cargo safely.

  • Accident free

Truck drivers are required to have a clean driving record.

  • Higher skill level

Truck drivers must have a more complex skill set that are specific to the specialized niche.

  • Driving experience

Trucking companies often require more experienced truck drivers that have about 5 years of successful trucking experience with no accidents on their driving record.

  • Working as a truck driver in remote areas

Some truck drivers are required to work in a remote area. To live in such area needs higher cost, and sometimes the work can require living in the area where the job is.

What Are The Highest Paying Trucking Jobs?

If you continue to progress in your trucking career, you can find special opportunities to move up and earn higher salary in your job. Here are five of the best paying trucking jobs in the trucking industry.

  • Hazardous materials transporting

Hazmat hauling is a dangerous but profitable trucking job. Hazmat truck drivers can transport such hazardous materials as gases, flammable liquids and corrosive substances. Drivers are required to deliver these goods safely. To become a hazmat truck driver, you must obtain hazmat or X endorsements. You are required an application and passing a test to be hired by trucking companies.

Hazmat hauling is compensated well because this job is dangerous, as truck drivers are transporting potentially deadly materials. Some trucking companies will pay your endorsement fees to get you certified because hazmat truck drivers are in high demand.

  • Ice Road Trucking

This job is the cdl highest paying jobs in the trucking industry. The weather is also another important factor in the payment of truck drivers. The reason for this that truck drivers meet many job challenges due to the dangerous nature such as excessive winter storms, extreme temperatures and poor road conditions.

It’s dangerous job and many trucking companies require significant experience and endorsements. Not every truck driver can meet the requirements.  They are required to be highly skilled and qualified for the job. Most trucker drivers are denied in this position because each trucking company’s qualifications are so high.

However, if you can meet their criteria and are hired as an ice road truck driver, you can earn from $25,000 – $75,000 for a few months work.

  • Oversize Load Hauling

Oversize Load Hauling is also one of the highest paying trucking jobs that requires additional certifications. These truck drivers can transport extra-large loads, such as heavy construction equipment or even a small house. That's why they are required a high level of skill though you don't need to have any additional endorsements or certifications but you will get competitive pay.

Truckers hauling oversized loads can earn about $60,000 per year. However, with the right company you can make upwards of $95,000.

If you want to become an oversize driver, you will need a huge experience. Some trucking companies require as much as 10 years of experience. Consider earning hazmat and tanker endorsements, it will help increase your odd of being hired.

  • Tanker hauling

Tanker truck drivers haul liquid such as water or gasoline. Not only hazardous liquids require transportation, there are many other liquids that don’t pose extra danger to the truck driver. These liquids are non-flammable, for example, it can be milk or water. However, they are less dangerous but still require a skilled truck driver to transport the goods safely and effectively.

This is another highest paid truck driving job that requires an additional endorsement such as an N endorsement or an X endorsement. It is difficult to transport a significant amount of any liquid that's why you can expect to earn around $60,000 a year.

  • Private fleets

Many large trucking companies like Walmart or Sherwin Williams, have fleets of private trucks to handle large-scale deliveries and transportation. This job is also included into the top pay trucking jobs, so private fleet drivers can earn from around $70,000-$85,000 US per year.

Truck drivers are required to deliver goods to destinations on time and in excellent condition. They need to keep track of paperwork and be responsible that other company will receive all items.

If you want to be a private fleet truck driver, you need to have your driving record clean and maintain a good employment record.