Truck Driver: Duties & Salary
by Willette Francis
As long as products need to get to consumers, long- and short-distance truck drivers with the proper training will always have employment opportunities. Whatever the size of the goods or whether they need to go to a large manufacturer or small local business, truck drivers make this all possible day after day, week after week, and month after month. This is a career where there's an opportunity for numerous advancements including self-employment. All you need is a CDL, a commercial driving license, and training from an excellent truck driving school. Your career is closer than you think.
What does a truck driver do?
Truck drivers deliver goods across America that ultimately end up in various grocery store chains throughout the country. Workers in this field play a huge role in getting consumers' favorite products to the stores where they like to purchase them. Upon leaving for a destination, their inspection skills learned at trucking driving school come in handy. They must inspect their truck before departing to ensure everything mechanical and electrical is functioning properly, from the gas levels to safety equipment, including checking that their cargo is secure.
There are two types of truck drivers: heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers and light or delivery services truck drivers. Their duties and responsibilities are similar with some variations. Heavy truck and tractor trailer drivers drive vehicles that are a minimum of 26,000 pounds; they transport items that are large in size such as cars and even animals. These are usually trips where they have to utilize the sleeping area in the truck because the trips can take days to complete. For those who perform long distance trips, the majority of the time is spent behind the wheel and they may be responsible for loading and unloading the truck.
Light or delivery services truck drivers drive trucks that are less than 26,000 pounds and pick up and drop off packages such UPS or Fed Ex professionals. Their trips are a lot shorter than the long distance drivers; they are not responsible for loading their trucks; and many of their destinations are near their home base, so staying away from home for long spans of time is unlikely. Some short distances may also have sales and customer service responsibilities. These are typical duties and responsibilities for short- and long-distance truck drivers. Other duties may occur according to the particular assignment. Other types of truck drivers include driver/sales workers and route drivers.
How much are truck drivers paid and what kinds of truck driver jobs can I get?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2006 median hourly wages for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers was $16.85 per hour; and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.00 an hour. Drivers in general freight trucking, grocery and related product wholesalers, specialized freight trucking, cement and concrete product manufacturing, and other specialty trade contractors made between $14.94 and more than $18.00 an hour.
In 2006, the median salary for light or delivery service drivers was $12.17, and the highest 10 percent made more than $21.00 an hour.
What does a truck driver do?
Truck drivers deliver goods across America that ultimately end up in various grocery store chains throughout the country. Workers in this field play a huge role in getting consumers' favorite products to the stores where they like to purchase them. Upon leaving for a destination, their inspection skills learned at trucking driving school come in handy. They must inspect their truck before departing to ensure everything mechanical and electrical is functioning properly, from the gas levels to safety equipment, including checking that their cargo is secure.
There are two types of truck drivers: heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers and light or delivery services truck drivers. Their duties and responsibilities are similar with some variations. Heavy truck and tractor trailer drivers drive vehicles that are a minimum of 26,000 pounds; they transport items that are large in size such as cars and even animals. These are usually trips where they have to utilize the sleeping area in the truck because the trips can take days to complete. For those who perform long distance trips, the majority of the time is spent behind the wheel and they may be responsible for loading and unloading the truck.
Light or delivery services truck drivers drive trucks that are less than 26,000 pounds and pick up and drop off packages such UPS or Fed Ex professionals. Their trips are a lot shorter than the long distance drivers; they are not responsible for loading their trucks; and many of their destinations are near their home base, so staying away from home for long spans of time is unlikely. Some short distances may also have sales and customer service responsibilities. These are typical duties and responsibilities for short- and long-distance truck drivers. Other duties may occur according to the particular assignment. Other types of truck drivers include driver/sales workers and route drivers.
How much are truck drivers paid and what kinds of truck driver jobs can I get?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2006 median hourly wages for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers was $16.85 per hour; and the highest 10 percent earned more than $25.00 an hour. Drivers in general freight trucking, grocery and related product wholesalers, specialized freight trucking, cement and concrete product manufacturing, and other specialty trade contractors made between $14.94 and more than $18.00 an hour.
In 2006, the median salary for light or delivery service drivers was $12.17, and the highest 10 percent made more than $21.00 an hour.
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