The trucking industry is one of the largest and most important in the United States, which represents essential support for the country’s economy. It is common to take for granted all the products, goods, and services to which we have access, but we seldom remember that this is due to the trucking industry and the commitment of its drivers and workers. This is why we have decided to share some interesting facts about the trucking industry that you probably didn’t know.
- According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018 about 129 million full-time jobs were registered in the United States. Of these, 7.4 million corresponded to the trucking industry, which represents 5.8% of the country’s workers.
- In 2017, drivers from the United States transported 10.8 billion tons of goods and products, according to the figures obtained by the American Truckers Associations. This amount is equal to 30 pounds of goods and products for each person in the country.
- Truck drivers transport 70% of all goods and products that travel throughout the country. This is much greater than the number of products that are transported by other means, including trains, ships, and air.
- Among the businesses that depend the most on freight transportation services, are supermarkets and convenience stores. The relationship between these two industries is so delicate that, if truck drivers stopped working, it wouldn’t take more than three days for supermarkets to run out of food.
- One fact that many seem to forget is that the transport industry is one of the most diverse and equitable in the country. This is because more than 40% of all jobs that this industry generates are covered by members of different minorities. This is almost double the national average, which, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, corresponds to 22% of jobs throughout the country.
- Despite the importance of the trucking industry and the role it represents in the country’s economy, this industry is not the most lucrative. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average annual income was $46,800. For workers in the trucking industry, the average annual income was $43,680. This means that drivers earn less than the average person in the country on an annual basis.
