Why Jobs in the Trucking Industry are Recession Proof

During the pandemic, many individuals lost their jobs. Therefore, everyone was looking for a recession-proof career that would provide them with a sense of security. The game happened back in 2007 during the Great Recession. During major economic crises like these two, people opt for safer industries. Due to their nature, specific sectors will stay immune to the economic events rattling global markets. One of the industries that don’t experience significant impacts is trucking. Even though the companies in this industry will likely feel the effect, they can proceed with their regular duties. We saw this in the recent pandemic when the demand for goods remained. Currently, the trucking industry is experiencing a shortage of truck drivers. This means a fruitful career for individuals who want a stable salary even in tough times. The CDL truck driver salary is $70,493 per year on average. Despite securing an excellent income, truck drivers have stable jobs even during the worst recession. 

Why is the trucking industry recession-proof? Let’s go through the factors that make landing a job in this industry relatively safe.

Stable demand

As with any other industry, demand is crucial in determining a job’s stability. The need for goods on the market is steady, and the trucking industry is working hard to supply the consumer. Therefore, truck drivers are seen as essential workers. Imagine what would happen if all the truck drivers stopped doing their job. There would be massive food shortages, as the supermarket shelves would remain empty. 

Also, your local gas station won’t work. The construction industry would stop working on buildings due to a shortage of construction materials. With this being said, we can understand the importance of the truck driver in the supply chain. Even technological innovations can’t be an alternative for truck drivers. They remain to be needed in the process. 

If you are looking for a stable job that stands the test of an economic crisis, truck driving would be the ideal fit. Whether you prefer full-time or part-time, you can always find the thing that suits your needs. 

Different options available

The trucking industry has various driving jobs, so anyone can find the thing that suits their preferences and skills. With online stores having a surge in orders, the order delivery driver job is prevalent. It is a great way to introduce the trucking industry and start with smaller steps. When you have the experience, you can land a better-paying job within the trucking industry. 

The options for specialization are endless. Transporting hazardous materials is one of the jobs you can get additional training for. You can land a high-paying job when you complete the training and obtain certification to work safely with such materials. However, this isn’t the only option available. You can train for long-distance hauls, ice roads, or oversized loads. 

Truck driving is a stable job with specialization in different industries across the industry. We will take the recession of 2007 as an example. There was a lag in housing demand, which put the material order to stop. With this, the truck drivers transporting construction materials were left without work. However, the job is quite versatile, and they could instantly land another job, transporting different types of goods. 

Final thoughts

Finding a stable job that pays well during a recession is quite challenging. With the demand for goods remaining relatively stable and potentially growing, the trucking industry is a safe sector to enter. Even if a specific market experiences difficulties, truck drivers can quickly shift markets thanks to their versatile skills.