More Female Truck Drivers Applying for Heavy-Haul Jobs
Though the trucking industry continues to deal with a shortage of truck drivers, an increasing number of women are getting CDLs and getting behind the wheel. But as more and more hit the road, female truck drivers are discovering that the wage disparity which exists across most industries also exists in trucking. For example, the median salary for female truck drivers in 2016 was mid-$30k. In comparison, a male truck driver earned in the average mid-$40k range.As a result, women are applying for more heavy-haul truck driving jobs.
Heavy-haul transports, including flatbed trucking, oversized and over-dimensional freight driving jobs, are specialty loads which pay better. Industry experts explain that women truck drivers, just like their male truck driver counterparts, want to earn more money, gain respect in their field, and want access to advancement opportunities. Taking on heavy-haul loads offers all of this to skilled, experienced truck drivers.
Many women truck drivers are gaining ground in the safety-sensitive sector, driving tankers, and hauling hazardous material (Hasmat) and extreme over-dimensional loads. They are attracted to the higher wages, but also the challenge of proving their abilities and overcoming stereotypes.
Heavy-haul transport is physically demanding but most female truck drivers would recommend it to other women. The work can be tough, and even dirty sometimes, they say, but the satisfaction of a job well done can’t be beat.