CDL Jobs for Women

Who rules the road? Girls. Even though women only make up 10% of the truckers on the highways today, female drivers are in demand. With the current capacity crunch and driver shortages, the best CDL jobs for women are hiring.

What makes the best CDL jobs for women great? First off, it is simply empowering to be behind the wheel of a big rig. Secondly, women drivers often have a safety record that speaks for itself. Industry data shows that, in many cases,  male drivers are more likely to drive recklessly, violate seatbelt laws, and speed than their women counterparts. These facts mean there are plenty of opportunities on the road for female truck drivers.

Are you a woman considering hitting the highways? You’ll find lots of opportunities out there on the open roads. ABCO, a family-owned refrigerated trucking company, hires both male and female drivers for regional and over-the-road routes. Our roster of drivers includes many women who love spending time behind the wheel.

Is Trucking a Good Career for Women?

Women excel in the transportation industry. In fact, women make up 10% of the over-the-road drivers traversing the nation according to 2019 data from the Women in Trucking Association. This number is climbing rapidly, as women made up less than 8% of OTR drivers on the road in the United States the previous year. 

What’s causing this rapid rise in the number of women truckers in this traditionally male-dominated industry? For one, trucking is a good career for women. Many women truck drivers love the freedom and sense of adventure they get from life on the road. Others love the competitive salary you’ll earn behind the wheel.

Opportunities in the trucking industry abound for women. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is slated to rise at least 2% each year. Industry insiders might expect this number to rise even faster as current market conditions and capacity crunches are calling more drivers to the road and are expected to make finding a job easier.

Additionally, many trucking companies love hiring female drivers. According to data from industry journal FreightWaves, women truckers boast some of the best safety records on the road. Numbers from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration backs this up, as reports indicate male drivers are at fault in 6.1 million accidents annually while women only cause 4.4 million crashes each year.

All in all, these factors make trucking a solid career choice for women. 

How Much do Female Truck Drivers Make?

Female truck drivers can earn a pretty penny and this makes the best CDL jobs for women attractive to many. 

BLS data suggests that the 2020 median pay for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers was $47,130 annually or about $22.66 per hour. This number means that half of all drivers earned more, half earned less. The top 10% of truckers on the road earned in excess of $69.480.

Want some perspective on these salary figures? BLS data shows that the median income for all transportation and material moving occupations was $39,680 in 2020. This means those who drive trucks lead the pack and out-earned many others in the industry.

You’ll also find that the best CDL jobs for women come with more than a great salary, but great benefits, too. Common benefits for truck drivers include:

• 401(k) with employer matching
• Paid time off 
• Guaranteed time at home
• Premium insurance plans, including medical, dental, vision, and life
• Fuel discounts 

Does the salary and benefit information above sound good to you? It gets better. ABCO offers drivers even more.

Drive with ABCO and you’ll enjoy:

• Great salary and per-mile pay
• Access to exclusive driver resorts
• Customized home time for your family’s needs
• Career development programs

ABCO is hiring drivers across the country. You’ll find CDL jobs in Mississippi. ABCO is also looking to fill CDL jobs in Kansas City, MO, and even beyond.

Is it Safe to Be a Female Truck Driver?

Safety is a top concern for many females seeking CDL jobs for women. All in all, it is safe to be a female truck driver -- you just have to use some common sense.

Women can stay even safer on the road by being conscientious and aware of their surroundings. Don’t stare at your phone as you’re walking across a truck stop’s lot. While you’re at it, don’t dash between parked trucks; walk around the ends of the spaces to maintain visibility around you.

Many women, not just women in trucking, can benefit from taking a self-defense class. Not only will you learn how to fend off attackers, but you’ll also feel safer and more confident in many situations. You also might consider carrying mace or pepper spray if it is legal to use in the states where you drive.

Another way you can stay safe on the road? Consider traveling with your best friend. The best trucker dogs are not only faithful companions but also can be faithful protectors. A passenger pup is a great solution for safety and company on the road.

It is also okay to ask for help. If you’re in a new or unfamiliar place that doesn’t radiate safe vibes, it is okay to ask a truck-stop staff member to walk you out to your vehicle, especially at night.

Keep in mind that the safety tips above just don’t apply to female truck drivers. Safety is important to drivers of all genders. 

Female Truck Drivers and Sexual Harassment

While workplace safety is a concern for some women truckers, sexual harassment might be more prevalent. Women in all occupations, from truckers to CEOs can and do experience sexual harassment at work.

ABCO is more than a trucking company with a harassment policy in the employee handbook. ABCO has built a culture of respect for all women in the workforce, from dispatch to driver and more. Keep this in mind when exploring the best CDL jobs for women.

5 Tips for Female Truck Drivers

Truck driving is a great career for women. Exploring the open road comes with a sense of freedom you won’t find in any other occupation. From great pay and benefits to working with companies that respect your skill, there are many reasons why women might choose CDL jobs.

If you’re ready to hit the highways, consider keeping the following 5 tips in mind.

1. Remember incredible things happen when women support other women. It almost always holds true: behind every successful woman is a group of other successful women who have her back. This holds true in almost all aspects of the feminine experience and even holds true for female truck drivers. Stay positive and support other women both on and off the road.
2. Be confident in yourself. It’s a fact. CDL school is hard. Passing your program and earning your Class A endorsement is a serious accomplishment and should make you feel good about yourself. Carry that confidence into everything that you do -- both on and off the road. Don’t be afraid to take on difficult tasks and have the confidence needed to stay calm in stressful situations.
3. Be patient with yourself and others on the road. Backing up into a loading dock or navigating a new city can be stressful. Don’t let it get you down. One way to be patient in new or stressful situations is to treat it as a learning opportunity. Take a break, take a deep breath, and move on to the next challenge with patience.
4. Remember you’re not on an island. Trucking can feel like a solitary venture, but remember that it isn’t. Communicate with other drivers, both male and female. Tune into a favorite podcast and listen while you drive to learn and feel less alone. Use the people and resources available to you to build a sense of community for both on and off the road.
5. Drive for a company that values you. The very best CDL jobs for women are with companies that truly value their drivers. Companies with great benefits, configurable home times, and inclusive cultures are excellent employers.

Apply with ABCO and Rule the Road

Ready to find the best CDL jobs for women on the road today? Reach out to ABCO and join our ranks of happy and appreciated drivers. From highly competitive pay to outstanding benefits to inclusive company culture, you’ll find that driving with ABCO provides a great career opportunity for drivers of all genders.

Get behind the wheel of your career and complete our simple truck driving job application today. Rule the road and start planning your next move now.