Truck Driving Jobs in Michigan

Apply for CDL Jobs in Michigan

Truck driving jobs in Michigan are predicted by the United States Department of Labor to grow significantly by the year 2024. Perhaps this is because of the high salary that this type of job pays compared with other jobs that do not require a college education or specialty certifications. Or, maybe it’s because, unlike other jobs, CDL jobs in Michigan give you the independence and freedom that most other jobs do not. Keep reading to find out more about the high salary and great benefits trucking companies in Michigan are offering truck drivers.

Getting Your CDL in Order to Work for Trucking Companies in Michigan

Once you have decided to apply for jobs with Michigan trucking companies, you will need to obtain your Michigan  Commercial Drivers License (CDL). A CDL is a specialty driver’s license that shows you can competently and legally drive commercial vehicles.

Getting your CDL involves first getting a Michigan Commercial Learners Permit (CLP) by passing a general knowledge test and proving you are physically capable of operating a commercial vehicle. Then, you must pass a CDL skills test to be fully licensed. This is a hands-on exam that ensures you have the skills to safely drive a commercial vehicle.

What do the trucking companies in Michigan require of their drivers?

Some job applications come with a long list of pre-qualifications that you must meet in order to apply. This can make getting hired or even getting an interview seem next to impossible and be discouraging. However, applications for truck driving jobs in Michigan are different. Usually, there is a short list of hiring requirements that are strictly adhered to.

Most of the trucking companies in Michigan have one or more of the following hiring criteria:

Michigan Truck Driving Salary and Benefits

No matter how much you love driving on the open road and getting to see our country, salary and benefits are even more important when it comes to your employment with Michigan truck driving jobs.

Trucking companies in Michigan are slightly below the national average when it comes to the wages they pay their employees. In 2016, the United States Department of Labor found that CDL jobs in Michigan paid truck drivers between $27,280 and $60,820 annually and that the median income was $39,660. While the national average income for truck drivers is between $26,900 and $63,100 annually with a median income of $41,340.

The trucking companies in Michigan report that truck drivers can make between $60,000 and $70,000 each year on average in this state, with some earning as little as $45,000 annually. Drivers can increase their pay by working on a team or by earning a sign-on, referral, relocation, or safety bonus. In fact, some bonuses paid by Michigan trucking companies can be as much as $8,000 to $10,000 each.

Truck driving jobs in Michigan may come with many different benefits including the following:

Michigan Taxes and Cost of Living

When you receive a job offer and are trying to figure out if you can make ends meet with the salary you have been offered, remember to also consider your taxes and cost of living based on where you will be located. Just as salaries and benefits can vary from one state to the next, taxes and the cost of living will be different too.

The average living expenses for truckers who work for Michigan trucking companies are about equal to or slightly more than the average for other areas in America. Annual living expenses for a household of a single adult without any children in Michigan are $21,302 prior to any taxes. For two adults and two children, the average annual living expenses are $62,075 before taxes. Furthermore, it is important to note that Michigan has the 6th highest average state and local taxes with an average state and local tax rate of 13.00%.

If you choose to become an owner-operator doing business with trucking companies in Michigan, the price of diesel fuel will become an important factor in how much money you actually earn. This is because owner-operators must pay their own fuel expenses.

As of May 2017, the national average price for a gallon of diesel is $2.345. However, in Michigan, the price is higher at $2.428. Diesel fuel prices tend to fluctuate frequently just as regular and unleaded fuel does.

Driving Conditions for Truck Drivers in Michigan

Although CDL jobs in Michigan are rewarding, they can also be challenging and have their drawbacks. One of these drawbacks is dangerous or stressful road and traffic conditions.

Those working for trucking companies in Michigan will need to know how to drive safely in winter weather conditions, as most areas in Michigan get at least 50 inches of snow, and some as many as 200 inches, per year. Although driving in snowy or icy conditions can be daunting, Michigan has milder temperatures when compared to many other states. This can mean less wear-and-tear on your truck.

It should also be noted that unless your route takes you through the cities of Detroit, Ann Arbor, or Grand Rapids, you can expect not to have to deal with heavy traffic congestion. This is great news, especially if you will be hauling time-sensitive freight and will be required to make important deadlines.

Expected Growth for Truck Driving Jobs in Michigan

The future is bright for those seeking trucking jobs in Michigan. Nationally, a 6% growth rate is expected for trucking jobs between 2014 and 2024 with an additional 40,450 job openings for American truck drivers. However, the United States Department of Labor expects that truck driving jobs in Michigan will grow by 1,570 each year during the same time period. This represents a 12% growth rate, double that of the national average.