Sometimes it may not seem like it, but one industry compensation analyst says this is a great time to be a woman truck driver.
Beth Carroll, who is the founder and managing principal of the Prosperio Group, says opportunities and pay for women drivers are increasing.
“Things couldn’t look better,” says Carroll, who studies truck driver pay. “If you have top notch qualifications, are drug free, you’ve got a good work history and you are female, there are going to be companies clamoring to sign you on.”
Here’s why:
- Companies are broadening their searches for drivers, and are looking at different talent pools as turnover continues to be high for many companies.
- Private fleets are especially open to putting women in the driver’s seat.
- Many companies are trying to eliminate hurdles that may have kept women out of the industry in the past, and are, for example, looking for veteran women drivers to train new ones.
Carroll also offers some tips to women drivers who want to earn more, stay busy driving, and advance their careers:
- Say “Yes.” The best way to get ahead is to accept as many loads as possible so you get the miles under your belt and demonstrate you are willing to do the work.
- Be as flexible as possible, and understand the company is trying to do the best it can while operating on what often are slim margins.
- Be the best you can be. A significant industry trend shows that top money is going to top performers with bonuses for on-time performance, mileage, clean inspections, and customer feedback.
- Learn as much as you can about the company for which you drive. Having a better sense of how things operate gives you an advantage.
- Keep an eye out for other opportunities within your company; many drivers become recruiters or customer service reps.
