According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, truck drivers have a strong job outlook, especially long-haul truckers. The employment rate of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow by six percent from 2020 to 2030. On average, there are about 231,100 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers each year. These openings are created due to the need to replace workers due to retirement or transfer to different occupations. In 2020, there were 1,951,600 jobs, and the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $47,130 and $22.66 per hour.
Specialties in Truck Driving:
Following are some of the typical loads that a driver might be hired to haul:-
Refrigerated container driver-
Refrigerated containers have air conditioners at the front of the trailer. They transport goods that must be kept at a certain temperature. The driver should know how to handle these vehicles!
Dry van driver-
This is the most common role offered to new drivers. The job involves hauling the goods.
Tanker driver-
Tankers transport anything from common goods like orange juice to gasoline and hazardous chemicals. Drivers of tankers earn a little higher because they go through special training to haul liquids.
Bull hauler-
These drivers transport livestock to market.
Local truck driver-
The best part of this job is that you can be at home at night. However, these jobs are high in demand.
Class B drivers-
Class B drivers earn a little less compared to other drivers. But these jobs are easily available.
Pay:
The pay of truck drivers varies based on the vehicle they drive, other tasks they carry out, and additional skills required on the job. Drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers are paid based on the miles they drive. The per-mile rate varies between employers and depends on the type of cargo and the driver's experience. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median annual wages for truck drivers were:
$48,280 – in the truck transportation industry
$46,400 – in wholesale trade
$45,540 - in the construction industry
$44,560 – in the manufacturing industry
Truck driver jobs are open to immigrants too. If you aspire to land a job as a truck driver in the U.S., an H-2B visa is a route you should take. Before we discuss specific details of how immigrants can land truck driver jobs in the U.S., let us get an overview of the hiring process.
To be a truck driver:
Apart from formal training in driving, there are a few more expectations from potential truck drivers:
Hand-eye coordination-
Drivers must be able to coordinate their legs, hands, and eyes properly so that they can swiftly handle any situation around them and drive the vehicle safely.
Good hearing-
Good hearing abilities are a must for drivers. Federal regulations require that a driver should be able to hear a forced whisper in one ear at five feet away (with or without the use of a hearing aid).
Visibility-
Truck drivers need to have good vision and pass the vision tests. According to Federal regulations, a driver must have at least 20/40 vision with a 70-degree field of vision in each eye. In addition, they should be able to distinguish the colors on a traffic light.
Physical health-
People with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, or other medical conditions that can interfere with their ability to operate a truck are not allowed to become truck drivers.
Steps involved in the hiring process:
The hiring process varies depending on the size of the company and its internal policies. However, there are several steps involved in getting hired as a truck driver. These include:
Application-
One can start applying for jobs while in truck driving school, even before getting the CDL license. You have to submit information such as the Social Security Number, driving and employment history, and criminal record. The formats to submit most of these are now available online.
Interview-
An initial interview will be conducted by a recruiter, human resources director, or manager who will likely ask questions about your driving history, skills, and habits. Through this meeting, the interviewer will determine your views on personal responsibility, accountability, and teamwork. Most trucking companies prefer committed drivers, not someone who jumps from job to job.
Document verification and background check-
In this step, important documents such as the Social Security Number (SSN), employment history, medical certificate, and Commercial Driver's License (CDL) are verified. Most companies run your information to receive personal CSA report through the Pre-Employment Screening Program interview. In addition, pre-employment drug and alcohol testing is conducted for new drivers.
Orientation-
Once hired, you need to attend an orientation program that provides you an introduction to the company, procedures, and policies.
Getting truck driver job as an immigrant:
As an immigrant driver, you have to apply for an H-2b visa before you can start working as a truck driver in the U.S. Apart from having a visa, having a heavy vehicle driving license or a commercial driving license is another requirement you should meet.
You should be at least 18 if the work requires you to cross state lines. Also, there should be relevant work experience and a clean driving record. You should have an eligible job offer from an employer with the necessary legal documents, including a temporary labor certification for H-2B workers. He must have submitted and got the approval of Form I-129.
According to USCIS (U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services), the employer has to submit that it will be temporary work under 12 months and prove a shortage of available U.S. workers. Once the employer has done his part, you can connect with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad and apply for a visa or admission with the U.S. Department of State (DOS).
Top trucking companies in the U.S.:
According to a 2020 survey by Truckers training.com, United Parcel Service (UPS) tops the list of trucking organizations. FedEx Corp. and Old Dominion Freight are second and third on the Truckers Training list. It is followed by other companies such as:
ArcBest Corp.
XPO Logistics
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Landstar System
Knight-Swift Transportation
Estes Express Lines
Prime Inc.