Weston Mars
High School: Fayetteville High School  •  Age: 28
Training: Commercial Truck Driving
Degree: Certificates from Mid-America Truck Driving School and Smith System Training
Employer: FedEx Freight in Little Rock

“I pursued jobs while training and was hired by my current employer before I graduated from the program. The demand for drivers in the industry made finding a quality job easier than I could’ve imagined.”

THIS OPTION IS FOR YOU IF...

√ You like to travel or have always wanted to see the country
√ You enjoy your independence and working alone
√ You’re good under pressure; you’re reliable

Job Outlook
+6%
Expected growth from 2016 to 2026 in the United States

4,370
Average annual job openings in Arkansas

39,960
How many job openings expected in Arkansas by 2026

What does a commercial truck driver do?
Commercial truck drivers operate heavy and tractor-trailer trucks to transport products all across the country. They haul long distances, often across state lines, to deliver their products.

Responsibilities

• Transport products across long distances
• Communicate with a dispatcher about incidents on the road
• Clean, maintain and inspect the truck
• Check for mechanical issues and report any problems
• Keep a log of working hours

MORE FROM WESTON

“One of the greatest things I have discovered about my profession is financial security. I live comfortably and know that my job is in high demand. I have the ability to go on vacation, drive a dependable vehicle and maintain a quality residence. I have no student debt and invest in a retirement plan as well as hold quality health benefits.”

AGE RESTRICTION

21
The minimum age to drive a truck across state lines

Ways to get involved in the industry before 21

• Drive within state lines
• Dock or office work in the industry
• Explore related fields like mechanics
• Use your CDL in a different industry

There are three types of CDL (commercial driver’s license)

Class A — combination vehicle toting 10,000+ pounds, example: tractor-trailer truck
Class B — single 26,000+ pounds vehicle, example: garbage truck
Class C — vehicle carrying 16+ people, example: school bus

Truckers Against Trafficking
All truckers pursuing a Class A CDL must complete the Human Trafficking Prevention Course.

High-end earners (top 10%) make
$74,596

Median Wages in the U.S.
$52,342 - Annual | $19.27 - Hourly

TRAINING PROGRAMS
East Arkansas Community College
North Arkansas College
Northwest Technical Institute
Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas Cossatot
University of Arkansas at Fort Smith-College of Applied Science & Technology

READY TO HIRE YOU!
Arkansas Trucking Association
Associated General Contractors
CenterPoint Energy
Maverick Transportation
McKee Foods Corporation
Riggs Caterpillar
Tyson Foods
Wabash National
Welsco

SOURCES: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  / Be Pro Be Proud  /  PayScale  /  Projections Managing Partnership / Rachel’s Notes  /  Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration  /  Bethany May

Discover more Skilled Trades in High Demand.