The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks the number of commercial truck drivers. According to their data, 78% of all truck miles are driven on the interstate. In the United States, there are over four million commercial truck drivers. Most of them drive big rigs. But how many of these drivers are women?
The number of truck drivers is expected to increase in the next six years, with the number of truckers expected to increase by 1%. In the next five years, the U.S. is expected to add nearly a million new commercial truck driver jobs. However, there is no definitive answer. Several factors must be taken into consideration. First, drivers must have a clean driving record. They must also be well-informed about safety regulations and federal safety laws. In addition, they must be willing to undergo training and undergo background checks before becoming a truck driver.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are over 3.5 million truck drivers in the U.S. Approximately one out of every nine truck drivers is an independent owner operator. The number of independent truck drivers is even higher in Canada, where there are more than 250,000 truck drivers. There are 1.2 million trucking companies in the U.S., and ninety percent of those businesses have fewer than 20 trucks.
What State Has the Most Trucking Companies?
Not all states are created equal when it comes to trucking companies and truckers. There are many factors that determine the success of a trucking company. The competition can be fierce in neighboring states. However, the trucking industry is one of the most profitable industries in the United States. There are approximately 500,000 for-hire fleets on the road today, and they generated $800 billion in 2016 alone.
Trucking jobs are plentiful throughout the United States due to a nationwide shortage of drivers. With billions of tons of freight to transport, there aren’t enough drivers to handle this workload. This creates a massive demand for new drivers. To fill these jobs, truck drivers in these states need to have the right skills and knowledge.
Although many large companies are starting to set up their own logistics operations, most businesses still rely on large truck companies. The demand for logistics in the United States has kept the profits of big truck companies high. The trucking industry employs millions of people.
What Race are Most Truck Drivers?
In recent years, the trucking industry has experienced a shift in demographics. More non-white men and women are working in the industry than ever before. The American Trucking Association (ATA) estimates that more than 40 percent of commercial drivers are racial minorities, up from 26.6% in 2008. While the industry is still overwhelmingly male, the demographics are changing slowly.
In a recent survey, C.H. Robinson Worldwide asked truck drivers about their experiences. One truck driver, who has been working in the industry for 10 years, cited the presence of racial slurs on CB radios as an example. Other drivers chose not to respond to the question. In total, just under one-third of motor carrier drivers took the survey.
While there are no official studies on the proportion of LGBTQ truck drivers in the industry, a recent survey conducted by truck driver and author Anne Balay showed that trans women are 3% of all truck drivers. Additionally, some companies recruit female drivers, with the percentage of women behind the wheel reaching up to 20 percent for some brands.
How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?
There are a number of factors that influence a truck driver’s pay. The type of route, the company, and the location can all have an impact on a driver’s salary. Truck drivers can work in three different classifications: long-haul or “OTR” trucking, regional trucking, and local trucking.
Drivers make their money by the mile. They may earn more if they drive longer distances, but this is not always the case. Poor road conditions can also affect pay rates. However, most companies offer bonuses for achieving certain mileage milestones. In addition to paying drivers based on mileage, truck drivers often receive bonuses for making multiple stops.
Truck driver salaries vary by state. According to the BLS, truck drivers earn an average of $0.27 per mile, with some companies offering higher pay. Most truck drivers drive between two and three thousand miles per week.
What is the Average Age of Truck Drivers?
According to the American Trucking Association, the average age of truck drivers in the U.S. is 46 years old. By contrast, the average age of new drivers entering the industry is 35 years old. These statistics reflect a rapidly aging trucking industry. As a result, there is a pressing need for younger, highly skilled and safe drivers to fill open trucking jobs.
Health problems are one of the leading causes of trucker mortality. However, there are measures to combat these ailments and extend the life expectancy of truckers. Though it is difficult to find accurate figures, one study conducted in 2007 reviewed the files of over 58,000 people working in the trucking industry. The study found that the average age of death reported among truck drivers is 61 years.
To obtain a CDL, truck drivers must be at least eighteen years old. Often, drivers must be at least 21 years old in order to cross state lines. The American Trucking Association (ATA) has been lobbying the federal government for years to relax these restrictions. A new bill in Congress, called the DRIVE-Safe Act, would allow 18-year-olds to drive trucks between states.
What Percentage of Americans Have a CDL?
The trucking industry was deregulated in 1980. Before that, fewer than 20,000 companies were authorized to transport freight across state lines. Most big-rig drivers were members of the Teamsters union, so deregulation created a flood of competition. Now, more than 10 million Americans hold a CDL and more than 3.5 million have a CDL-related job.
How Many Miles Do Truckers Drive in a Year?
Truck drivers typically cover more than 100,000 miles per year. The average American driver covers about 1,200 miles per month. However, it isn’t unusual for truckers to cover two thousand and fifty miles in a week. In general, men tend to drive more than women, and the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that the average age of American drivers is getting older. In addition, the cost of fuel is getting higher and young people aren’t as keen on being truck drivers.
The average truck driver will cover between 605 and 650 miles a day, and can sometimes travel more or less depending on the weather and traffic. The mileage can also be influenced by police checkpoints and other unpredictable factors. Despite the fact that truck drivers are legally allowed to sleep for only 11 hours a day, they can often drive more than fourteen hours per day to make up for lost sleep.
While truck drivers are allowed to drive as many as eleven hours per day, they must also adhere to federal regulations regarding hours of service. Federal regulations require truckers to average 55 to 60 miles per hour. The mileage they cover per day depends on traffic, weather and route.
Why is the Trucking Industry So Slow 2022?
Fuel costs are rising, and truckers are feeling the pinch. But the ripple effects of these higher fuel costs on the trucking industry aren’t yet clear. Despite this, the demand for drivers and trucks continues to rise, and trucking companies are often forced to pass on the higher fuel costs to their customers. This may dampen the trucking industry’s growth.
The trucking industry has gone through a lot of changes in recent years. After recovering from the devastating effects of the COVID pandemic, trucking has become a key part of the U.S. economy. While there are still challenges, the outlook for 2022 is relatively positive. New technology and a more efficient supply chain should help transportation companies flourish.
One of the biggest challenges facing the trucking industry is a lack of qualified personnel. The industry is trying to manage the labor shortage by aggressively recruiting drivers and offering enhanced benefits. The industry is also putting a big focus on employee retention efforts. Better pay and working conditions, especially for women, are critical to attract and retain drivers. Additionally, fleet operators are instituting safety bonus programs to encourage safe driving. In addition, more driver training is likely to occur at the community college level and through private organizations by 2022.
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