CAN YOU MAKE A GOOD, STABLE LIVING AS A TRUCK DRIVER? YOU BET!
Are you one of the millions of people in the U.S. who are either underemployed or can’t find a job at all? A lot of people think there is a shortage of good paying jobs in America, and you probably hear a lot about the unemployment rate.
What a lot of people don’t realize is that there is a shortage of truck drivers with a good record. The transportation industry is rapidly growing, as are its need for reliable drivers. You may be considering becoming a truck driver, and if you are, you may be wondering if you can make good money driving a truck?
CAN YOU MAKE GOOD MONEY DRIVING A TRUCK?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, truckers earn a median annual wage of $43,680, which is more than the median wage for all jobs, and the top 10% of truck drivers make more than $60,000 per year. You may not make a lot when you start out, but after you get that first year or so of driving under your belt, you will have the experience you need to make a dependable living as a truck driver.
Some companies pay more than others, and trucking companies that pay the best want the best drivers. It’s like any other job; if you’re going to advance and make more money, you have to get more experience and have a good work record. Once you gain enough mileage, the right credentials, and if you keep a clean driving record, truck driving can be a very lucrative career path.
The main struggle for most truck drivers is finding the right company to drive for. A lot of companies treat their drivers like they are just numbers. These companies don’t pay very well and often don’t offer any benefits. The goal for most drivers after their first year or so is to find a company that will allow them to earn a good income and to have a life that isn’t entirely over the road.
J&M OFFERS MORE THAN JUST A GOOD PAYCHECK.
Drivers at J&M can earn up to make $80,000 a year. We also offer benefits that many trucking companies don’t: health and dental insurance, 401(k), paid vacations, holidays, and bonuses for performance, referrals, and clean inspections.
We also have a minimum guarantee so that if anything happens to cause a slowdown, our drivers still get a paycheck. For instance, during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 when Houston flooded, a lot of drivers were stuck and not making any money, but our drivers were still getting paid. Our guaranteed weekly minimum acts as a safety net, and it offers consistency that many truck drivers for other companies don’t have.
The main benefit that attracts drivers to our company is more home time. Truck drivers at other companies, especially long-haul drivers, can expect to be out for weeks on end with only a five-day break. At J&M, even our long-haul drivers are only spending a maximum of five days at a time over the road, regional drivers are typically on the road for 2-3 nights a week, and our local drivers are home almost every night.
WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR: BASIC DRIVER QUALIFICATIONS
There are no endorsements required to drive for J&M, but you must have at least 18 months of verifiable tractor-trailer experience, and you must be at least 25-years of age. We have a great team of driver trainers who provide intense hands-on training to help drivers transition into hauling pneumatic tanks.
J&M strives to make sure its drivers make a good paycheck while still getting to spend quality time with their families. It may take a little bit of time and a small investment to get there, but once you do, you can definitely make a great living driving a truck, especially if you drive for J&M Tank Lines.
Learn more about how to become part of the J&M Tank Lines family
J&M Tank Lines has been a leader in transportation for 70 years in the Southeast with terminals in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, South Carolina, and Texas. We provide high-caliber truck driving solutions locally and nationally and partner with SmartWay, American Trucking Association (ATA) and many more! Contact us or call us at 205-798-9988 to learn more today.
