Currently, there are 1.7 million truck drivers employed throughout the U.S., which is a relatively low percentage of all jobs. The number of truck drivers is expected to increase by 5% between now and 2022. However, the number of professional truck drivers can fluctuate widely due to various factors, including the number of trucks on the road, the demand for truckers, and the age limit for truck drivers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts a 6% increase in employment in truck drivers between the years 2020 and 2030. This growth is similar to the national average for all jobs, so an increase of 6% means 108,000 new positions. The American Trucking Association (ATA) predicts that the industry will need at least one million more drivers by 2029 to replace retiring and voluntary drivers. But the number of drivers isn’t the only factor to consider.
The number of truck drivers is growing, and the number of trucking companies is increasing. According to the FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study, truck accidents are caused by mechanical defects, fatigue, and new tour routes. In fact, aggressive driving and substance abuse affect less than 5% of crashes, and alcohol and drug use only account for 0.5% of all truck accidents. It is important to note, however, that a truck driver’s safety is paramount, and they must be aware of their own safety and that of their co-workers.
How Many Truck Drivers are There in the US 2021?
The transportation industry plays an important role in the economy of the United States. Truck drivers transport nearly all of the items we use every day. Approximately 70% of all items we purchase are transported by truck drivers. These products range from food to fuel and healthcare supplies. Because of the shortage of truck drivers, the industry needs to hire a large number of new people to replace the current ones. But how many truck drivers are needed?
The US trucking industry is a vital part of our economy, and the jobs of truck drivers are highly important. The trucking industry is often the first to signal the overall state of the economy. As a result, truckers are a prime example of the American dream. Today, there are approximately 1.8 million truck drivers nationwide. The second-largest trucking industry in the US is California, which is home to nearly 40 million people.
How Many Professional Truck Drivers are There?
There are roughly 3.36 million truck drivers in the US. This figure includes drivers working for trucking companies as well as contractors and transportation workers outside the industry. Adding these additional jobs to the list gives you a better idea of just how important this job is. There are also plenty of other truck driving jobs that don’t have a lot of room on the list, such as port workers. But even these jobs have their importance.
In addition to the high number of trucks, truck drivers have a demanding work environment. Highways are jammed with traffic, and they aren’t adequate to accommodate the needs of 21st century economies. Truck drivers have to share the road with aggressive and distracted drivers who prioritize speed over safety. Because of this, professional truck drivers face the risk of seeing these behaviors all day. But despite these risks, they continue to improve their safety record.
What Race are Most Truck Drivers?
The number of truck drivers is staggering, accounting for 5.8% of the nation’s workforce. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 39.4% of drivers are Black or Hispanic. But the number of Hispanic and Black truck drivers is higher, with two percent and seven percent, respectively. These numbers still don’t tell the whole story, as the U.S. population is 71.8% White and 49.3 percent female. But it is encouraging to see diversity in the trucking industry.
Despite the shortage, the majority of truck drivers are white men. However, the numbers are growing. Hispanic and African American men are also joining the ranks. Women are also making a comeback in the industry. In recent years, trucking companies have become more accessible to minority drivers. Women, too, are attracting attention to this career, but they are often outnumbered by men. Some women who were once considered unsuitable for the industry are now stepping up and pursuing trucking careers of their own.
What is the Average Age of a Truck Driver?
The average age of a truck driver is 46. The average age of workers in Canada is 41.5 years, while the average age of truck drivers is nearly five years older. The average age of truck drivers in the U.S. is 57, but it is much higher than the average. In Canada, however, truck drivers are younger than the average age for workers overall. This is probably a reflection of a lack of youth in the trucking industry.
The Department of Transportation has commissioned research to determine whether truck driving contributes to a lower life expectancy, and the study supports this claim. However, there are questions surrounding the sources of these statistics. Moreover, there is concern that the high level of job demands, smoking, and other health issues may reduce the life expectancy of truck drivers. That’s why a recent conference on occupational health and safety for truck drivers and bus drivers in Baltimore, Maryland, addressed this concern.
How Many Truckers Have Quit?
The trucking industry is notorious for its low retention rates. On average, a trucking company has to replace almost its entire work force in a year. To keep the supply of new drivers high and wages high, the industry must recruit more people. In 2019, more than 10 million people held a commercial driver’s license. More than 3.7 million trucks in the US required a commercial driver’s license.
In addition to high turnover, many drivers have burned out due to the stress of their jobs. Long-haul truck drivers travel long distances, often across states. While these jobs may seem glamorous, drivers are often paid only for the number of trips they make. The long hours, stress, and lack of control over the route that their cargo travels can lead to burnout. Not everyone is willing to take on the long hours and sacrifice a comfortable lifestyle for better earnings.
However, a recent report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the number of people employed in the trucking industry is growing at a faster rate than the overall nonfarm workforce. Last month, there were 1.5 million truck drivers in the US, down 1% from last month but up 15% from a decade ago. In the long run, this is great news for trucking. The industry is a critical part of our economy and many drivers are quitting because of the lack of a suitable career path.
Is Trucking Going Away?
Across the United States, the trucking industry is in transition. As technology advances, so does the industry’s workforce. There are many different jobs in the trucking industry, from drivers to cargo to managing driving time. In this article, we’ll explore what’s changing in the trucking industry, and how this may impact you. The answer to the question “Is Trucking Going Away?” may surprise you.
One major change in truck driving jobs is the automation of trucks. Driverless trucks are being developed, and this may eliminate a lot of manual driving. This technology could actually make the job easier for truck drivers, and trucking may become a forgotten support industry, like gold rush and mining towns. This trend could impact other industries as well, including tourism. Some cities, such as Route 66, will be displaced by automated vehicles.
Historically, truck drivers have been treated unfairly. Low wages and poor working conditions are just two of the reasons many people are drawn to this industry. It is also important to note that entry-level truck driving jobs are terribly miserable. In recent years, a trucking shortage has created a huge shortage of drivers, with the American Trucking Association reporting that there will be 80,000 fewer drivers than the ideal number in 2021.
Is There Really a Truck Driver Shortage?
The argument that there is a truck driver shortage in the US has been circulating for more than a decade. In fact, the number of truck drivers is nearing pre-pandemic levels. The problem isn’t so much that drivers are leaving the industry; it’s the fact that they’re becoming self-employed. As such, there’s a need for more drivers. But where can these drivers find a job?
According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), there is a shortage of up to 80,000 drivers across the country. However, despite this apparent shortage, trucking employers are increasing pay and benefits in an effort to attract more drivers. There are more trucker jobs available than workers who are willing to drive them. While the government estimates that there are between 300,000 and 500,000 long-haul truck drivers in the US, there are still a large number of unfilled positions. According to the American Association of Motor Vehicles (AAMV), there are over 450,000 commercial driver licenses issued every year. However, while this number isn’t huge, the reality is far from it.
Another contributing factor is the high rate of turnover. Turnover in the trucking industry has been above 90 percent for a few years. But these drivers aren’t leaving the industry because they’re underappreciated and underpaid. Rather, they are leaving because they want better pay, benefits, and working conditions. Truck drivers used to make decent money, but in recent years, wages have not kept up with cost of living.
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