Are you looking for a new career? You should consider earning your commercial driver’s license (CDL) and entering the trucking industry. Demand for truckers is high and you can earn more than $69,480 per year.* If you’d like to learn more about trucking, this article includes some interesting statistics about the industry.
The Importance of Truckers
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) collects economics and industry data related to trucking. These numbers show just how essential truckers are to our nation’s economy. All of the information below comes from data collected in 2020 unless otherwise noted.
Here are some key trucking statistics from the ATA:
- By weight, semi-trucks transport 72.5% of domestic freight in the United States. This adds up to 10.23 billion tons. Imagine how much of an impact it would have if truckers didn’t transport these shipments!
- Semi-trucks transport 80.4% of the nation’s freight by value, a total of $732.3 billion in gross freight revenues for primary shipments only.
- In addition to domestic trade, semi-trucks are involved in trade with Canada and Mexico. Trucks transport 70.9% of freight value between the United States and Canada and 83.8% of freight value between the United States and Mexico.
- There are 37.9 million registered commercial trucks, excluding those used by farms or the government. This represents 23.9% of all trucks registered. This statistic comes from 2019 data.
- In 2019, commercial trucks traveled 300.05 billion miles. Combination trucks (including semi-trucks) traveled 175.3 billion miles.
Truck Driver Shortage
The statistics above clearly show why truckers are so important and there aren’t enough drivers to meet growing demand. There are many reasons for this shortage and one of the effects is that motor carriers often compete to offer the best pay and benefits to attract new drivers.
Here are some statistics about the truck driver shortage from the ATA:
- In 2021, the ATA estimated that the shortage was hitting an all-time high at just over 80,000 drivers, compared to a shortage of 60,800 drivers in 2018. This was in part due to a reduction in the number of drivers who were able to train during the pandemic.
- In the next decade, the industry will need to hire approximately 110,000 new drivers each year for a total of 1.1 million new drivers.
- Replacing retiring truckers will continue to be a priority, and this is expected to account for 54% of new hires.
- Industry growth is expected to lead to approximately 25% of new hires in the trucking industry.
Start Your Trucking Career
If you enjoy the freedom of the open road and are looking for a rewarding new career, Phoenix Truck Driving School can help you earn your CDL in as little as four weeks. We have programs in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
Contact us today to learn more about becoming a truck driver.
*Professional truck drivers earn a mean annual wage of $47,130 . The top 10% of truck drivers make more than $69,480 per year according to 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics.
