When it comes to blue-collar jobs that don’t require very much (if any) higher education, truck driver and welder are prime career choices. Perhaps you are considering one or the other. Or maybe you are already doing one of these jobs, and you are intrigued by the other. The burning question lingers… Do truck drivers make more than welders?
The simple answer to this question is YES. Truck drivers make more money than welders. But this answer is based solely on national (US) averages. There are certainly many exceptions. For example… a career welder with decades of experience who has worked for the same company for the majority of their career will almost certainly earn more than a rookie truck driver who is just starting out.
To answer the question fairly, we must base our answer on actual salary data derived from United States averages for each profession. Let’s dig in and compare some of the numbers!
How Much Does an Average Truck Driver Earn
Annual earnings for truck drivers can vary wildly, depending on which type of trucking business or job we are talking about and the compensation model. Some truck drivers get paid by the mile, while others are paid hourly. Location is another big factor, as some areas of the United States pay truck drivers higher wages, and some areas pay less.
At the time I am writing this, the average base salary for a truck driver in America is $77,565 per year, according to data reported and collected at indeed.com. This average can range from reported average low salaries of $51,033 per year to reported high salaries of $117,890 per year.
Note: click the link above for up-to-date stats and data on truck driver salaries in America from indeed.com.
Related Read: 10 Revealing Statistics About The Truck Driving Profession
How Much Does an Average Welder Earn
Annual earnings for welders will vary, based on the type of welding that the job requires and whether or not the welder is skilled in fabrication. Somebody who just does welding is typically paid less than a skilled welder & fabricator. Location is another factor, as some areas of the United States pay welders higher wages, and some areas pay less.
At the time I am writing this, the average base salary for a welder in America is $44,325 per year, according to data reported and collected at indeed.com. This average can range from reported average low salaries of $31,701 per year to reported high salaries of $61,976 per year.
At the time I am writing this, the average base salary for a welder & fabricator in America is $64,500 per year, according to data reported and collected at indeed.com. This average can range from reported average low salaries of $47,103 per year to reported high salaries of $88,323 per year.
Note: click the links above for up-to-date stats and data on welder salaries in America from indeed.com.
Do Truck Drivers Make More than Welders?
Even if truck drivers are not considered to be rich, they do earn more money than welders. This holds true even if we are comparing the average truck driver’s annual salary to that of an overly skilled welder & fabricator. An average truck driver, in America, earns about $13,000 more per year than an average-earning welder & fabricator.
Again, here are the average overall salaries for each profession, as reported on indeed.com at the time this was published…
- Truck Driver – $77,565
- Welder & Fabricator – $64,500
- Welder – $44,325
Time is Money
However, money isn’t the only thing to consider when choosing a career path (or a job). Have you ever heard the saying, “time is money?” It’s true. Time can sometimes be more valuable than money. When trying to decide between a truck driving career versus a welding career, you’ll want to look into the time commitments for each.
As a truck driver myself – I can tell you that there is no such thing as a set schedule for a truck driver. Even if you work a local truck driving job like I do… you may start at the same time every day but you never know what time your day will end. It all depends on where you go that day and what happens at each stop.
Many welders work in factories or shops where they have set schedules. When your shift ends, you clock out and go home. If you value your time away from work more than you value the potential money that you could earn – you may want to consider a career in welding over a career in trucking.
Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions. We have answers. Here are some common questions surrounding the question… ‘do truck drivers make more than welders’…
Do truckers make more money than welders?
Yes. Truck drivers earn an average yearly salary of $77,565 in the United States, compared to an average yearly salary of only $44,325 for welders.
What is the highest-paying job in trucking?
Two of the highest-paying jobs in trucking are tanker truck drivers and hazmat (hazardous materials) drivers, which can be one and the same if you’re talking about a tanker truck that is filled with hazardous material (like gasoline).
Do truckers make 100k a year?
Not all truckers make $100,000 per year, but it is becoming more and more common for truckers to be able to hit that elusive 6-figure mark. Pay rates are ever-increasing, and truckers who are willing to put in the hours and drive the miles can certainly earn $100k or more.
How do you become a truck driver?
Truck driver training programs are available all across the United States. Many trucking companies will even pay for your training in exchange for you agreeing to work for them for a certain period of time.
How much do CDL truck drivers make?
A CDL truck driver earns an average salary, in the United States, of $77,565. This average can range from reported average low salaries of $51,033 per year to reported high salaries of $117,890 per year.
Where can I work as a CDL truck driver?
Trucking companies employ CDL truck drivers all across the United States of America. Trucking companies are almost always hiring, in good economic times and during bad economic times.
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