Photo by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash
A new survey by Findit Parts sheds some interesting light on Americans’ attitudes towards truck driving as a career and the industry as a whole. Although some in the trucking industry argue there is a driver shortage, 46% of Americans responded that they would leave their current jobs if they could earn more than they already do.
This indicates clearly that more people would become truck drivers if the wages supported their decision. For trucking especially, however, this is a delicate balance as an increase in wages does eventually get passed down to the end consumer of whatever is being hauled. For example, 32% of survey respondents said that they would consider trucking as a career path if it paid more than $100,000 per year, but if every trucking job paid that much, then end prices would rise.
What major factors would prevent Americans from getting behind the wheel? 50% of the survey answers showed that time away from home was the biggest drawback to becoming a truck driver. This is no surprise, and it’s why many describe truck driving as a lifestyle as much as it is a career.
26% said that safety and health were the biggest drawbacks. Less than ten percent listed job security, public perception, or even pay rates as the biggest drawbacks.
The good news is that perception of the industry is improving. 85% of survey respondents agreed that truck drivers are important to the nation’s economy. 79% consider truck driving as a viable career choice for people entering the job market. In fact, 52% of Gen Z are the most likely to have considered driving a career for a living.
From the results of the Findit Parts survey, it seems like truck driving will be a viable career path into the future for this country. As long as the price is right.