Trucking freight/courier services are an essential part of the transportation industry and involve transporting goods from one place to another in large commercial vehicles. This articles explores the 15 best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services in 2023.
Many people are drawn to the idea of being truckers, often for the opportunity to be on the road rather than at a desk all day. If this describes you, there are a lot of best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services available for you to choose from.
So, to become a truck driver, you’ll need to get your CDL, be at least 21 years old, keep a clean driving record, and have some experience and knowledge in the industry.
This article will cover the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services and their salaries.
Table of Contents
- What is a Trucking Freight/Courier Services Job?
- Is Trucking Freight/Courier Services a Good Career?
- Best Paying Jobs in Trucking Freight/Courier Services In 2023
- #1. Transportation Coordinator
- #2. Airline and Commercial Pilot
- #3. Air Traffic Controller
- #4. Van Driver
- #5. Marine Engineer
- #6. Train Conductor
- #7. Crane Operator
- #8. Locomotive Drivers
- #9. Hand Laborers and Material Movers
- #10. Tow Truck Driver
- #11. Dispatcher
- #12. Light Truck Drivers
- #13. Cab Drivers
- #14. Tractor-trailer Truck Driver
- #15. Dump Truck Driver
- What are the Benefits of a Career in Trucking Freight and Courier Services?
- FAQs About The Best Paying Jobs in Trucking Freight/Courier Services
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
What is a Trucking Freight/Courier Services Job?
Trucking freight/courier services jobs are positions within the transportation industry in which individuals drive vehicles loaded with goods to be delivered to specified delivery locations.
In many cases, the driver is also responsible for assisting in unloading the goods. Many positions are available to those who want to pursue a career in trucking.
Trucking/courier jobs typically offer door-to-door services, package tracking, and expedited delivery. Freight companies are ideal for businesses that regularly ship large items or quantities. For example, any packages or shipments that exceed 70kg.
Furthermore, some trucking jobs are paid based on the number of miles driven and how quickly the driver can make deliveries. Other positions base their wages on experience and knowledge, such as those on the management side of the industry.
Also, you may have to receive specialized training to take on particular jobs in trucking as they might involve transporting dangerous substances or cumbersome loads. Other positions could require you to learn a new skill through on-the-job training.
Is Trucking Freight/Courier Services a Good Career?
Yes, trucking freight/courier services is a good career path because companies often need to move goods and products, and generally, people have places they need to go.
This generally makes the transportation industry a reasonably secure sector where you can pursue a career.
Also, this addition offers many job opportunities for growth and advancement, potentially strengthening your job security.
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Best Paying Jobs in Trucking Freight/Courier Services In 2023
Here are the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services in 2023:
- Transportation Coordinator
- Airline and Commercial Pilot
- Air Traffic Controller
- Van Driver
- Marine Engineer
- Train Conductor
- Crane Operator
- Locomotive Drivers
- Hand Laborers and Material Movers
- Tow Truck Driver
- Dispatcher
- Light Truck Drivers
- Cab Drivers
- Tractor-trailer Truck Driver
- Dump Truck Driver
#1. Transportation Coordinator
Transportation coordinator is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier service with a salary between $58,152 to $73,881.
Coordinating transportation involves establishing schedule parameters by reviewing schedule requisitions, cargo, distances, and other important information.
Also, transportation coordinators use computer software to help them design schedules or modify existing ones.
#2. Airline and Commercial Pilot
Airlines and commercial pilots are among the best-paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services. They work in the aviation industry.
They can also fly an aircraft and securely transport people or goods from one location to another. As a trainer in a broad aviation field, there are several prospects in public and private sectors and educational settings.
In addition, an airline and commercial pilot’s salary ranges from $99,640 to $192,000 per year.
#3. Air Traffic Controller
With a salary of $184,780 depending on experience and talent, an air traffic controller is one of the best-paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services.
Air traffic controllers coordinate aircraft movement in airports and the skies above them. Also, they work in control towers, route centres, and approach control facilities.
Furthermore, rotating shifts are standard in the field, which includes working at night and on weekends.
#4. Van Driver
Another best paying job in trucking freight/courier services is a van driver. Some of their responsibilities are driving cars, vans, and light trucks to pick up and deliver newspapers, bakery and dairy products, and items such as packages and parcels.
Also, they load and unload the cargo and provide customer service by establishing routes and delivering goods or selling products by accepting and making payments.
Van drivers earn between $34500 to $83,756 per year.
#5. Marine Engineer
A marine engineer is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services. As marine engineers, some of their responsibilities are to create, construct, test, and fix ships, boats, underwater vehicles, offshore platforms, and drilling apparatus.
They always work closely with naval architects to make everything from little yachts and fishing boats to submarines and aircraft carriers. In addition, they earn from $56,550 to $151,880 per year.
You Should Check Out: 15 Best Paying Jobs in Marine Transportation | 2023
#6. Train Conductor
The train conductor is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services, with a salary of $73,269. A freight train conductor is a person who works onboard trains and supervises the everyday duties of the crew.
Also, they keep an eye on the loading and unloading of cargo at each stop. They make sure every passenger is safe.
#7. Crane Operator
With a salary of around $62240 per year, crane operators are one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services. Crane operators work on tower or bridge cranes.
Additionally, crane operators are frequently needed by construction companies. Together with other workers, they transport heavy loads of building materials to difficult-to-reach locations to guarantee that all work is done safely.
Check this: 20 Best Paying Jobs In Transportation
#8. Locomotive Drivers
Being a locomotive driver is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services. Their primary role is transporting passengers or freight from one location to another.
Moreover, locomotive drivers are trained to fix minor faults and perform regular maintenance to ensure optimal workings.
They work with conductors and signal operators to ensure the train is fully functional—also, their salaries range from $24,172 to $64,574 per year.
#9. Hand Laborers and Material Movers
Hand laborers and material movers are among the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services. The duties of this job are to pack or wrap products by hand or use mini tractors to load goods onto aircraft trucks.
Additionally, they record the materials they transfer and clean the vehicles. Material movers and hand laborers don’t need a degree to work in these fields and frequently pick up skills on the job. Their annual pay exceeds $46,930 per year.
#10. Tow Truck Driver
Tow truck drivers are also one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services, and it has similar responsibilities to local transport truck drivers.
Furthermore, they primarily operate straight trucks and transport goods and materials on the local and interurban routes.
As with all trucking professionals, a tow truck driver might plan their routes to meet the loading and unloading cargo schedules. The average salary for a tow truck driver is $58,000 per year.
#11. Dispatcher
A dispatcher is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services. The service sectors, such as emergency, courier, and taxi, employ dispatchers to fulfil requests.
They first receive them, always by phone, and then speak with mobile units. In communications centres, they collaborate with additional dispatchers.
In addition, the salary of a dispatcher is more than $55,776 per year.
#12. Light Truck Drivers
Light truck drivers are also among the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services. They transport goods from manufacturers to merchants, warehouses, and other sites.
Furthermore, light truck drivers commonly pick up freight at intermodal rail yards at seaside ports. Some drivers travel extensively and spend a lot of time away from home when working over the road (OTR).
The salary of a light truck driver is around $39,154 to $73,322 per year.
#13. Cab Drivers
Cab drivers take their customers from starting point to their final destination in a taxi in return for payment. Different fixed rates are used to determine fares for peak or off-peak operating hours.
Taxi drivers might be employed temporarily or on a long-term contract. In addition, Cab driver is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services, with a salary range between $37,363 to $52000 per year.
#14. Tractor-trailer Truck Driver
With a salary of $73,322 per year, a tractor-trailer truck driver is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services.
This job involves long hours and extreme focus. Furthermore, these truck drivers plan routes, get certifications, and inspect their vehicles to transport products, goods, and raw materials within the country and the country.
Also, they ensure their loads and equipment abide by safety regulations and aim to maintain good driving records.
#15. Dump Truck Driver
Dump truck driver is one of the best paying jobs in trucking freight/courier services, with a salary range of $57,458 to $71,000 per year.
They load, haul, and dump waste materials or products from one construction site to another. Also, they get special permits to transport loads, administer bills of lading and maintain logbooks.
Aside from using onboard computers and communication devices, dump truck drivers might communicate with dispatchers, customers, or other drivers during their duties.
What are the Benefits of a Career in Trucking Freight and Courier Services?
Here are some benefits of having a trucking freight and courier services career.
- Flexibility
- Getting a career in trucking freight and courier services gives you purpose and impact
- You get great pay and other benefits like health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401k, and paid holiday and vacation time.
- Job Security
- Career growth opportunities
- Community: A close-knit community of professionals, and truck drivers have great regard for one another and their shared vocation. Once you become a part of that community, you will have a sizable support system.
Also, read this: 15 Best Paying Jobs in Michigan Without a Degree in 2023
FAQs About The Best Paying Jobs in Trucking Freight/Courier Services
Yes, trucking freight and courier service is a promising career. Companies always need to move goods and products, and people generally have places they need to go.
This generally makes the transportation industry a secure career to go for. Also, this industry offers many opportunities for growth advancement, potentially strengthening your job security.
Trucking freight/courier services jobs are positions within the transportation industry in which individuals drive vehicles loaded with goods to be delivered to specified delivery locations.
In many cases, the driver is also responsible for assisting in unloading the goods.
Oklahoma is the best state, and Mililani Town is the city with the highest pay for dump truck drivers.
Here are some of the best trucking freight companies to work for:
1. FedEx.
2. United Parcel Service (UPS)
3. Landstar System.
4. Old Dominion Freight Line.
5. J. B. Hunt.
6.ArcBest.
7. Yellow Corp.
8. XPO Logistics.
Conclusion
A driver who wants to earn more in the trucking industry should go above and beyond the norm in acquiring in-demand skills and endorsements that open new and lucrative doors for her career.
Even if you’ve recently acquired your CDL, these best paying jobs in trucking freight and courier services will be within your reach once you’ve put in the time and maintained a safe, clean driving record.
References
Recommendations
