Can you make money trucking, really? I get that argument a lot in the classes I teach to new students that wonder if you really can make money in trucking. When explained to them they see it is the same bill of goods that they have been sold to become enrolled in the course in the first place. So they understand they can make money, but they don’t understand how. Many believe the secret is in how many miles you run, whether you are on a dedicated run or similar situation. Although some of those aspects come into effect no one thing will work on its own, it is a combination of items coming together that work for you. Oh sure, you have to run some miles but like they say on other important areas of our lives, it is the quality not the quantity.

There was a recent report from one of the popular trade magazines that talked about the income of the truck Driver and how much can be made in the industry. It spelled out the numbers bang on and I can verify that because much of my career followed that same path. The secret is to specialize once you have the knowledge and experience to move forward with the interests you have for your career. Most people think that to achieve that you must change companies or positions on a regular basis or stop driving, but often making more money doesn’t require that amount of change. What it does require is a focus on your career with goals in mind of where you would like to go in the future. Specialization can take many forms and if the company you work for is large enough you may have many opportunities right under your nose. Do you enjoy flatbed over van work? Are you highly detailed and interested in dangerous goods? Many of you might be patient above the norm and feel a good home may be in moving oversized loads. There is also the difference between dedicated runs and the open board to give you good steady money. If you are an Owner Operator it may be as easy as changing areas. For instance; operating in the Eastern Seaboard may earn you more money per-mile than if you ran other areas. The article broke down the fact that dedicated runs make more money than open board runs, flatbed Drivers made more money than van Drivers, private fleets made more money than common carriers and so on. That may be true but getting into those areas might be a whole different ball game.

You will find if you specialize, you will earn more money over your career and move yourself into areas that you thought might have been out of reach when you first began. Just changing your routine every couple of years will keep you in learning mode and earning more money at the same time. One of the easiest ways to get started is to sit down and plan out some goals for yourself. Once you know where you want to go in your career you can begin finding out what it will take to get there. Talk to other Drivers doing that type of work and talk to your supervisor about opportunities within your company. You will be amazed at how much is out there that can earn you more money; it is just a matter of taking the required steps.

About the Author

Bruce Outridge has 30 years of experience in the transportation industry, much of that in hazardous material transportation. He is the author of the books Driven to Drive and Running by the Mile. Challenger Motor Freight Inc. is one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies (platinum member) and is looking for quality team members. To learn more about opportunities with Challenger visit their website at www.challenger.com