Hey everyone.
I’m new to all this so please keep that in mind when you answer. I don’t know the lingo or many of the basic concepts. Although I’m reading 3 books on trucking.
I’m trying to come up with a good plan or path to take. I realize this is a large question and may not have a simple answer. If you have an answer based on personal experience, great, I’d love to hear it. Or, if you know of a book(s) about trucking that answers all this, please give me the title(s).

First of all, I don’t mind working my butt off. I don’t get burnt out. I learn fast. And I’m already a loner with no steady girlfriend. I love solitude. So the social side OTR does not sound bad to me. It sounds like it’s right up my ally.

Among the different options for types of jobs (working for a company, lease purchase, team, independent contractor, flat bed, refrigerated, propane, a bunch of others) I’ve been told the annual pay differs greatly. Anywhere from 30k to over 100k. I imagine the time it takes to achieve the qualifications for each also differs. Then there is availability. If certain jobs are rather difficult to find openings, I’d probably avoid it. And I don’t want to do the team. After training, I want to drive alone.

So what I want to know is, which jobs have these three advantages:

1)Pay the highest? Assuming you don’t easily burn out. A workaholic.

2) Don’t take a long time to qualify for. I’d like to qualify in two years or less if possible, but I don’t even know if that’s possible for the higher paying jobs. Again, I’m new to this. The the two year thing does not exist, then which job types that pay the highest can i reach the soonest?

3) Good to decent availability. If it’s real tough to find openings, I’d probably choose something else.

If you know of any types of jobs that fit all three parameters, what are they? And, if you have any advice of how to make it happen, I’m all ears. Such as, better places to train under, companies to avoid, whatever else you would advise.

Thanks a lot.

Don't run away after your FIRST (and only post.)

I MIGHT have some answers, but... it will take some time because YOU have so many "requirements."

Respond to this post, or I won't waste my time. Sorry.... but, we have SO many "one post" wonders here.

The first thing you need to do is get your CDL, providing you don't already possess one. From your post I assume you have never sat in the drivers seat. Most people start out pulling vans. Vans are usually the lowest paying segment of trucking, but not always. Some of the LTL carriers pay drivers very well. If you want to get into the higher paying segments of trucking it will take time. Some of the higher paying area's are flats, step decks, rgn's, double drop and heavy haul, carhaulers, tankers and household goods. Most of the higher paying segments will require at least 1-2 years of driving experience. Getting into over size or heavy haul may take longer. There are a couple of carriers who will hire inexperienced drivers to pull flats. Rather than looking at which area pays the most, I would look at what you prefer doing. Pulling open deck freight requires that you be outdoors when loading and unloading. Open deck includes flats, steps, rgn's, double drop and heavy haul and carhauling. You may also be outside pulling tankers. Many new drivers are impatient to get into the "big" bucks. It takes time and patience to get into these specialized areas of this industry.