In-Demand Career: Commercial Truck Drivers 

Without commercial truck drivers on the road, our nation’s economy and way of life would be largely stagnant. Transporting goods and materials from one location to another, commercial truck drivers are the backbone of modern commerce. 

To become a commercial truck driver, it’s important to first decide if the lifestyle that comes along with the career is right for you. Some may be intimidated by the idea of being away from home for days or weeks at a time, while others may find continuous travel rewarding. 

Fortunately for those who feel enticed by the opportunity to travel through commercial truck driving, the process of entering the career field is fairly straightforward. Typically, prospective commercial truck drivers are required to possess a high school diploma, attend a professional truck driving school and earn their commercial driver’s license (CDL). 

In addition to transporting goods and materials, commercial truck drivers must also perform other duties such as reporting any incidents encountered on the road to a dispatcher; securing cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chains, or covers; and inspecting their trailers before and after the trip and recording any defects they find. 

In Kentucky, the annual mean salary for commercial truck drivers is $48,320, or approximately $23.23 an hour. 

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a commercial truck driver, contact the Kentucky Career Center – Lincoln Trail nearest you.