Professional drivers can experience much career satisfaction throughout the years. After all, they will enjoy a change of scenery daily, travel to beautiful parts of the country, and meet people from all walks of life. What’s more, they will use and build on their driving skills while enjoying a superb salary.
There is no limit to the income you can enjoy behind the wheel, as there are many lucrative career paths to improve your financial security. Keep reading to learn how to advance your driving career.
Become an Owner Operator
Truckers shouldn’t rule out a career as a lease owner operator. Rather than working directly for a business, you can start your own trucking company and earn a much higher annual income.
If you own a tractor, or a tractor and trailer, you could earn an exceptional gross revenue for over-the-road (OTR) or regional owner operator jobs. For example, you could receive a gross revenue between $7,500 to $13,600 per week. However, you will need two years of verifiable tractor-trailer experience, and your truck and trailer must adhere to a transportation company’s specifications.
Transition to a Tanker Driver
If you have extensive experience behind the wheel of powerful vehicles, you might have what it takes to become a tanker driver. Yet, the driving career comes with much responsibility, as you will need to transport highly flammable or much-needed liquids from A to B, such as:
- Gasoline
- Natural Gas
- Industrial Chemicals
- Water
In addition to safely driving the trailer from A to B, you must certify the tank integrity of the trailer. For instance, you must identify any holes, corrosion, or defects that could impact a tank’s safety and cause leaks on the road.
Also, bear in mind you will not only need to haul dangerous goods from one location to another, but you might occasionally become exposed to hazardous chemical fumes.
Challenge Yourself as an Ice Road Trucker
If you are an experienced driver looking for a brand-new challenge and a higher salary, ice road trucking might be an ideal path. You could earn up to $75,000 a year for a few months of work, but you shouldn’t ignore the dangers involved in the job.
An ice road trucking career might allow you to sit behind the wheel, but you will need to journey across ice roads, travel through various extreme temperatures, and drive along poor road conditions and in arduous winter storms. The job isn’t for the fainthearted.
Use Your Skills as a Specialty Car Hauler
It takes a confident, skilled driver to become a specialty car hauler. You’ll need meticulous and extensive driving skills to transport vintage cars or other expensive vehicles to their destinations. If you are an experienced, talented driver and aren’t afraid to handle high-value cars, it could be a lucrative career path for you.
Don’t allow your many years of driving skills and experience to go to waste. Consider the above career paths to improve your income and job satisfaction to advance your career.
Veeramachineni Lalitha
I am Finance Content Writer. I write Personal Finance, banking, investment, and insurance related content for top clients including Kotak Mahindra Bank, Edelweiss, ICICI BANK and IDFC FIRST Bank. My experience details : Linkedin