Truck Driving Jobs in Montana

Apply for Trucking Jobs in Montana

Not only is a shortage of qualified truck drivers predicted all across the nation for the next several years, trucking companies in Montana are predicted to have a slightly higher than average increase of truck driving jobs available over the next decade. This makes truck driving jobs in Montana even more appealing to those who are searching for their next career.

Getting Your CDL in Order to Work for Montana Trucking Companies

To successfully apply for jobs with Montana trucking companies, you will need a Montana  Commercial Drivers License (CDL). The first step in this process is applying for your Montana Commercial Learners Permit (CLP). Among other requirements, you will need to take a written general knowledge CDL exam.

Once you have your CLP and feel competent with your knowledge and driving skills, you can take the CDL road test. This test is hands-on and will ensure that you can safely and effectively drive a commercial vehicle.

Usually, on the same day that you take this exam, you can also take additional endorsement exams, if you desire to have endorsements on your CDL. These special endorsements allow you to legally drive certain types of commercial vehicles such as Doubles and Triples, Tank Vehicles, or HazMat. Some trucking companies in Montana will even pay you to get additional endorsements on your license.

What do Montana trucking companies require of their drivers?

All truck driving jobs in Montana require their applicants to meet certain standards, referred to as hiring requirements. These requirements ensure that truck drivers are prepared with the necessary knowledge and skills to do their job. They also help protect truck drivers and the general public on the open roads.

A few of the hiring requirements for trucking jobs in Montana that you are likely to encounter include:

Montana Truck Driving Salary and Benefits

Even though truck driving jobs in Montana offer many inherent benefits, you are probably still curious as to what kind of wages and benefits truck drivers in this state are offered. For a job that doesn’t require special certifications or a college degree, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out what Montana trucking companies are offering new drivers.

Montana trucking companies pay their drivers salaries that are nearly identical to the national average. In 2016, the United States Department of Labor reported that trucking jobs in Montana usually pay truck drivers between $27,020 and $63,340 annually with a median income of $43,030. In comparison, across America, truck drivers earn an average income between $26,900 and $63,100 annually with a median income of $41,340.

Those employed in truck driving jobs in Montana generally make between 38 cents and 53 cents per mile. The salaries that Montana trucking companies pay are based on several factors. One of these factors is if you have any special endorsements on your CDL. Endorsements, such as Tank Vehicles, Doubles and Triples, and HazMat allow you to earn a higher wage and provide you with more job opportunities with multiple trucking companies in Montana. Other factors that can determine your salary include how much work experience you have and how long you have been with the company.

The trucking companies in Montana offer a variety of different perks and benefits, including:

Montana Taxes and Cost of Living

When determining how much you can make with certain truck driving jobs in Montana, you also need to factor in the cost of living and state and city taxes. These figures can vary widely between states and will determine how much disposable income you have.

Out of all 50 states and Washington D.C., Montana ranks #3 for the lowest average state and city taxes with an average state and local tax rate of 6.89%. However, this state does have a slightly higher cost of living than some other states. Before taxes, the average cost of living for one adult with no kids is $21,402. For a household with two adults and two kids, the pre-tax average cost of living is $67,599.

The price of gasoline is another factor you might need to consider when determining how much you will spend and how much you will earn when working for Montana trucking companies, especially if you decide to become an owner-operator. As of May 2017, the national average price for a gallon of diesel fuel is $2.355, while in Montana the price is slightly higher at $2.382. Keep in mind that the price of diesel fuel will vary from one day to the next and from one location to the next.

Driving Conditions for Truck Drivers in Montana

When working for trucking companies in Montana, you may, at times, encounter less than ideal road or traffic conditions. This happens to be one of the downsides of the truck driving profession. Montana is one of the many states that gets plenty of snow in the winter, which can cause delays and unsafe driving conditions.

However, the plus side to working as a truck driver in Montana is that you will not have to deal with congested roadways or stop-and-go traffic very often. Montana is one of the least populated states in America, making it ideal for drivers.

Expected Growth for Truck Driving Jobs in Montana

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts a slightly higher than average rate of growth for truck driving jobs in Montana between the years 2014 and 2024. An 8% growth is expected, which equates to 190 additional trucking jobs in Montana each year through 2024. For the U.S. as a whole, a 6% growth rate is expected for trucking jobs between 2014 and 2024 with an additional 40,450 job openings for truck drivers in total.

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