This gives some basic information on a career in the Transportation Industry
- Income
- First year earning potential:
Over the Road — $38,000 - $43,000
Local — $20,000 - $30,000
- Mileage based pay (some companies pay on percentage)
- Rate per mile increases with experience
- Incentives Earnings (some companies)
- Safety
- Fuel
- Performance (based on mileage)
- Safety Awards (offered by some companies
- Tax Deductions (personal expenses)
- Road Expenses ($75 - $100 per week)
- Paid Book Miles
- Paycheck Amounts Vary
- Handling Freight (Income)
- Benefits
- Insurance Package
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation (based on average weekly salary)
- Retirement Package
- Minimum Supervision (some independence)
- Job Security
- Equipment (company vehicles are equipped for driver comfort)
- Challenges
- Adverse Driving Conditions
- Large City Driving
- Meeting Schedules
- Affects on Personal Life
- Absence from home (1-3 weeks/month)
- Weekend/Holidays are unpredictable
- Seventy hours per week
- Irregular schedule
- Layovers
- Equipment Breakdown
- Time Management (dependent upon others)
- Forced Dispatch
- Hours of Service
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Company Training
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Future Career Opportunities
- Company Trainers (in-truck)
- Recruiting
- Safety/Training
- Management
- Dispatch
- Owner Operator (own business)
- Respect
- CDL
- Drug/Alcohol Testing
- Improved Accident Statistics
- Travel to Various Areas of the U.S. and Canada
Transportation Industry Career Information Sheet | Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Prospective Employer | Back to Placement