Truck Driving in Ohio

State Overview

There are over 15,560 trucking companies and the industry employs 71,710 drivers. The highest paid truck drivers earn $52,180 ($25.08 hourly). The highest paying areas are Columbus with a Median Annual Salary of $46,400, West Northwestern Ohio non-metropolitan area ($45,320), and Springfield ($44,730).

Pros and Cons of Truck Driving in Ohio

GOOD: 

• Many local and regional jobs moving a variety of goods
• Good turnpike facilities and truck stops
• Major freight lane, good highway maintenance during seasonal changes

BAD: 

• DOT and State Highway patrol giving level 3 inspections
• One-way streets, narrow roads and hills
• Extreme weather conditions that change in a blink of an eye 

Truck Driving Tips for Ohio

• Lots of old docks not built to handle trucks. Also avoid low bridges when possible
• Be nice to the receiver or you’ll be sitting all day
• Driving in Ohio has its ups and downs, but it’s a great job overall
• Pay attention use what you’ve learned and apply the Smith System
• Ignore bad drivers. Nothing you can do

Fellow Truck Drivers in Ohio Say:

“Variety of driving”

Drew G. – 12 years driving experience

GOOD
The views of the landscape weather north or south. There’s so many different varieties of driving here it’s awesome.

BAD
Inner big city driving can always be crazy. The extreme weather conditions that change here in the blink of eye

TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Keep your head up and both feet on the ground. Know your place but also earn your keep. It’s a cut throat world out here and you have to work hard to be rewarded. Stay with it because it does pay off.

 

“Plenty of jobs”

Michael J. – 16 years over the road

GOOD
Plenty of work, many local and regional jobs moving a variety of goods

BAD
DOT and State Highway patrol are active in giving level 3 inspections. Even hands free communication while driving is prohibited. Rush hour in the bigger cities.

TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Driving in Ohio has it’s ups and downs, but still the best job to have overall. very little supervision

 

“Truck driver jobs are everywhere”

 

“Trucker friendly state”

Raymond C. – 9 years driving OTR

GOOD
Major freight lane, Trucker friendly, good highway maintenance during seasonal changes

BAD
Parking

TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Pay attention use what you learn and apply the smith system