Washington Truck Driving Jobs

Washington Truck Driving Jobs and Salary Information

Given Washington's layout, you may already be familiar with the crucial role that the trucking industry plays in this state. Mountain communities and communities that are located in remote areas have little access to Washington as a whole, which means that many people in this state rely on transported goods for their daily needs. As a truck driver, you can help meet these needs.

Not sure if you want a local, regional, or OTR job? Discover truck driving jobs in Washington now by checking out our job listings below.

O*Net expects to see quite a bit of growth in the truck driving industry of Washington in coming years. In fact, they expect a 17% increase in job openings by 2022, which exceeds the national average by 6% (O*Net). This works out to more than 1100 possible new job openings each year (O*Net).

In general, salaries in Washington are slightly higher than the national median. Truck drivers in Washington earn an average salary of $42,300 per year, with salaries ranging beyond $61,900 per year for drivers with lots of experience or seniority (O*Net, 2014).

Washington has a rigorous licensing process that you must complete before you can independently drive a straight truck or tractor-trailer. The type of truck you drive is determined by what type of driver's license you have, so you may want to look through job openings in your area to decide if you want a Class A, Class B, or Class C driver's license.

The Washington State Department of Licensing oversees the licensure of commercial drivers. They require you to first go to a local office and take a written exam, which covers information taught in the classroom part of your training course. The written exam allows you to get an instructional permit.

It's important to use your instructional permit to get as much driving experience as possible. This is where driving school can be very helpful; your instructors will likely be familiar with the skills exam, so they can make sure that you are adequately prepared for every part of the exam. When you feel that you can tackle the driving test, head over to the Department of Licensing and schedule your skills exam. The license you get is valid for up to five years.