Choosing a career path is tough. Whether for personal or financial reasons, you want to ensure you’re going down the right path. As a truck driver, it might be hard to break into a new career since most people have preconceived notions of what the occupation entails.
There are plenty of other jobs that truck drivers can do in their free time to make extra money while they do their usual driving job. Trucking is one of the most common jobs people do, but you might find that you enjoy your work more than you expected. Things aren’t all rainy clouds and tarmac as long as you’re only thinking about the money coming in. You also have to think about what you’re getting from each job or career choice. Try these if you want to work fewer hours at one job and earn more money.
1. Ice Road Truck Driver
The need for ice road truck drivers is on the rise. The job is also a great way to make money since you can work as an independent contractor and hire other drivers to work with you. Ice roads only exist in the winter, but you can make up to $125,000 yearly doing this job. It’s nothing like driving along the interstate highways. The best part of being an ice road driver is that the money is waiting for you at the end of your trip. There’s a lot of preparation for the job since you need to know how to drive in extreme weather conditions. Ice road truck drivers even have to train to handle loads.
2. Tanker Hauler
Tanker trucks are typically used for transporting oil, gas, and other liquids. It’s not quite a career for everyone since the job is hard and sometimes dangerous. You need to know how to operate some heavy machinery to perform this job safely. Tanker truck drivers usually work for a fleet, but you can also work for a single owner. Depending on your truck, you might haul up to 70,000 gallons of liquid at once. This means that if you’re making about $20 per hour, the job can earn up to $125,000 per year. You don’t have to worry about getting stuck in traffic or running out of gas since you’ll be driving your trucks on new roadways instead of highways. Finding a job won’t be easy if you don’t know anyone in the business. The best way to break in is by using a hauler contractor app, this app will link you to contractors looking for all types of truckers.
3. Hazmat Truck Driver
Freight trucks are often used for transporting hazardous materials, but it’s not just about the danger of the job. As a hazmat truck driver, you might get to travel the country and make some extra money. If you’re good at math and don’t mind sitting in a cab for hours at a time, this job is ideal for you. You can earn up to $100,000 per year doing this job. This is decent if you can supplement the job with other jobs. You’ll be looking at working up to 50 hours per week, which can affect your social life.
4. Owner Operator Driver
To own your trucking business, you must become an owner-operator driver. It will take time and effort, but the payoff is well worth it. You can sell your loads to other people in the business. You might find it easier to get around since you own the truck. The only downside is that you’ll be responsible for all the costs involved in running a business, but the hours are flexible, and the pay is good. This job can earn you up to $55 per hour making it one of the best logistics business ideas.
5. Oversized Load Hauler
If you love to haul heavy loads, there’s an avenue for you to earn some extra money. Overloaded trucks have their risks, but they can be fun to drive. You can use the job as a weekend thing and only do it when you want to. There are plenty of opportunities for additional pay by hauling oversized loads like furniture and appliances. Don’t try this job if you don’t enjoy driving for long periods since you’ll be hauling huge loads every day.
Conclusion
Trucking isn’t just about driving a truck; you can make extra money with other jobs within the industry. You’ll find that your career path will be better than you thought possible if you do your research beforehand. You might even find that all the extra money is worth it at the end of the day. The main thing is to remember that driving a truck isn’t just about getting paid for fuel and hours on the road.
