A trucking career offers excellent pay, great benefits, and substantial retirement options. But you can’t access these perks if you don’t have a CDL.

A CDL, or commercial driver’s license, is necessary to operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 or more pounds. You must be at least 18 years old, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires first-time drivers to undergo Entry-level Drivers Training to ensure CDL carriers are road-worthy. 

But with the demand for qualified truck drivers steadily growing, obtaining a CDL is the first mile toward a long and rewarding career path. 

Here are SIX REASONS why: 

1.     Job Security and Demand: CDL drivers are in demand in all 50 states, with job postings exceeding the number of available drivers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an 80,000 qualified CDL-drivers shortage and the growth rate of job opportunities in the field for the next decade is 4%. Further, truckers play a critical role the economy; they help maintain supply chain integrity, transporting food, clothing, building materials and more across the country. As the demand for consumer goods continues to rise, this translates into job security.

2.     Competitive Pay and Benefits: The entry-level wage hovers around $41,000. According to PayScale.com, the average yearly earnings top $53,000, with experienced drivers coming in around $100,000 and private fleet and owner-operators seeing annual earnings near $200,000. Average pay increases are around 18%. Truck driver benefits, like health insurance, retirement plans, haul bonuses, and paid time off further elevate compensation packages. HFC Transport values its employees and compensates accordingly, offering some of the top benefits in the industry, along with competitive truck driver salaries.

3.     Flexibility and Independence: Trucking is the perfect match for those who think outside of the box ­– cubicle, that is. The road offers independence and freedom. It’s a career that provides schedule flexibility and job variety ­– local, regional or ORT. Plus, drivers can often choose the types of loads they haul and the routes they take. 

4.     Opportunities for Travel and Adventure: There is a reason so many people outside the U.S. spend their vacations in our country. Its incredible natural scenery, culturally rich cities, good eats, and friendly people are all significant draws. Truckers have unique opportunities to explore the 50 states ­– and get paid for it, too. HFC employee, Blake, loves the open expanses of the West, and his favorite stretch of road is the I-80 eastbound through the Utah Salt Flats. He promises that “if you get there 30 minutes before dawn on a crystal-clear morning, you will see the most amazing sky transition.” Not a bad way to start your day!

5.     Pathways for Career Advancement: But if you ever feel the need for a career change, your experience and CDL will pave the way to a rewarding shift within the transportation and logistics industry. Options include becoming an owner-operator (remember that $200k annual earnings?), moving into management, sharing your expertise with new drivers as a trainer, specializing in logistics, and more. There is plenty of career advancement in trucking.

6.     No College Degree Required: College is not the only educational path to financial security. CDL training programs are affordable; you’ll soon find yourself in the driver’s seat (literally) without the burden of student loan debt that runs in the tens of thousands.  And the time commitment is significantly less than a traditional four-year college, which means you’ll hit the workforce sooner and earn a wage faster. 

If you are looking for a stable career with good compensation, potential for advancement, freedom from the 9-5 confines of an office, and opportunity to travel the country, then obtain a CDL.

And when you do, come join the HFC Transport family and see why we’re one of best trucking companies to work for. Recent CDL graduates are welcome, so apply today!

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