More Female Truck Drivers Applying for Driver Jobs
Today there are more women applying for open heavy-haul truck driving jobs than ever before; but its not nearly enough to resolve the increasing driver shortage.
While the US trucking industry continues to face a shortage of commercial truck drivers, an increasing number of qualified women are getting their CDLs and starting new careers as professional truck drivers. But as more women go out over the road, many female truckers are realizing that wage disparities that are seen across many industries also exists in the trucking industry. Trucking companies are no exception. For example, the average long-haul salary for women CDL drivers in 2020 was in the mid-$30 thousands. By comparison, a male truck driver the same amount of experience earned on average over $40k for the same driving job. Despite this inequality, more women are applying for heavy-haul truck driving jobs.
Heavy-haul transport jobs, including steel and flatbed trucking jobs, large oversized and over-dimensional commercial driving jobs, are considered specialty loads which pay premium rates. Truck driver recruiters explain that professional female truck drivers, like their male truck driving counterparts, have a goal of earning more money, gaining respect as professional drivers, and want access to greater advancement considerations. Applying to specialty truck loads such as heavy-haul loads offer all of this to experienced truck drivers.
Women truck drivers are starting to gain ground in the trucking sector, driving tanker trucks, hauling hazardous material (Hazmat) loads, and extreme over-dimensional truck loads. They are easily attracted to the better wages, as well as the challenge of demonstrating their abilities while overcoming negative stereotypes.
While heavy-haul truck transport can be physically demanding, most women truckers routinely recommend it to other women. “Heavy -haul trucking can sometimes be tough, and even dirty at times”, they say, but the on-going job satisfaction can’t be beat.
If you’re a female truck driver, a female considering a getting your CLD, or a truck driver recruiter seeking truck drivers, visit driverjoblist.com for a growing list of great driver job postings.