Thousands of commercial truck drivers are needed right now all across the United States and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the number will grow even larger, as more than 330,000 jobs are expected to open up in the trucking industry between 2010 and 2020. However, despite high unemployment, many of those driving jobs will not be filled

“I have 60 trucks that have no drivers,” Pat Gallagher, CEO of Potter Township’s PGT Trucking Inc., said in a recent article on the TimesOnline.com. “Recruiting for drivers is a 24/7 job.”

According to the article, Gallagher’s company has offices throughout the country and runs a competitive recruitment plan on its website. Its hard to find drivers, even though the average starting income in anywhere from $38,000 to $45,000, at least $4,000 above the national median wage, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“This is an occupation where you don’t need a college degree to earn better than average wages,” the American Trucking Association’s Chief Economist Bob Costello said.
A college degree might not be necessary, but truck carriers still want drives with professional training, and there is a shortage of trained drivers today. Too many people are attempting to jump into this career field without the right ind of training, which often leads to a short career. Driving a commercial truck for a living can be a challenging job, but with the right kind of training it can be a long-term and rewarding career.

“It’s a lifestyle commitment,” Costello said. “You need someone who is independent and doesn’t need hand holding.”

Long-haul routes are more likely for recent graduates, but those with professional training have a better chance of landing local routes.

“Once you put your time in, you can get more regional,” Costello said in the Times Online article. “If you have a good driving record and employment record you’ve written your ticket. You can go anywhere.”

The growth of natural gas extraction in many parts of the country has also increased the number of local routes available, and so has a commitment by manufacturers to focus on domestic customers in light of the tough international economy. Most everyone who wants a trucking job and has the right kind of training will get one, especially those that have completed training at a school like the Diesel Driving Academy, where some of the nation’s best commercial truck instructors are preparing the next generation of professional drivers.

If you are looking for a stable career that offer great pay in a unique work environment, then the commercial truck industry may be the right fit for you. If so, the Diesel Driving Academy is a great launching pad into this growing career field.