Does the recent news coverage of the truck driver shortage
make you want to change careers? Are you not satisfied with the job you have or
what your employer pays? Are you not sure which industry you should transition
into? If driving is something that appeals to you, take a look at what you need
to know about this career choice and the trucker shortage.
Is There Really a Truck Driver Shortage?
Have you read recent articles citing a major truck driver
shortage as one factor affecting the strain on the supply chain? Have you also
heard that the shortage isn't as serious as some news outlets make it out to
be? Does this leave you to wonder if a truck driver shortage really exists?
Professional shortages come and go. Sometimes, the industry
desperately needs drivers, and a few short years later (or possibly sooner)
it's saturated with professionals who are ready and willing to snap up any
available job.
According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), the
shortage was set to hit a historic high level of 80,000 drivers in 2021. This
means there is an 80,000 (or more) driver difference between the number of truckers
currently working in the United States and the number of drivers needed.
If the shortage continues along the line the ATA's
statistics predict, it could grow above 160,000 by 2030.
Are Some Drivers More In Demand Than Others?
Yes. The ATA notes that the 2021 driving professional
shortage has impacted the long-haul carrier category more than other areas of
the business. If you enjoy driving long distances, don't mind being away from
home for days or weeks, or are just in the market for a job that can literally
take you places, you may want to seriously explore this industry option.
Why Has a Truck Driver Shortage Happened?
There isn't one reason for the shortage in drivers. Instead,
a combination of factors work together to create this gap in the driving
industry. High turnover rates are one of the primary issues some trucking
companies face. The long-haul driver turnover rates are over 90 percent for
large companies, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. This
figure is lower (72 percent) for smaller carriers.
Some driver turnover is the result of truckers leaving one
job for another within the industry. But part of the turnover number is also
made up by drivers who leave the trucking field for another line of work. This
creates new jobs for new truckers to fill.
What Does the Truck Driver Shortage Mean for You?
The current shortage may mean that you have an easy time
entering this industry. If you're ready to start a career or need to change
your professional path, now is the time to start training as a diver. Not only
are there shortage-related jobs, but truck drivers also don't need to complete
long four-year college programs to start a well-paying career. While driver
training programs vary by school and area, most commercial trucking courses
provide a hands-on or real-world approach.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in
2020 the median annual pay for a tractortrailer truck driver was $47,130. The
median hourly rate for the same year was $22.66. Couple this with bonuses or
incentives that carriers use to attract new talent, and driving is an
attractive career for many men and women who are in the job market.
Are you ready to join the growing field of truck
driving? Whether you want to start a career as a longhaul or short-distance
driver, you need the right training. Contact
Commercial Trucking School
for more information on training programs.
