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Trucking and Warehousing

Nature of the Industry  |  Working Conditions  |  Employment  |  Occupations in the Industry
Training and Advancement  |  Job Outlook  |  Earnings

Significant Points

• Truckdrivers hold one-half of all trucking and warehousing jobs.
• Job opportunities are expected to be good for qualified truckdrivers and service technicians.
• A growing proportion of the Nation's freight is being transported by truck, but business in the industry is prone to rise and fall with upswings and downturns in the overall economy.

Nature of the Industry

Firms in the trucking and warehousing industry provide a link between manufacturers and consumers. Businesses, and occasionally individuals, contract with trucking and warehousing companies to pick up, transport, store, and deliver a variety of goods. This industry includes two segments, local and long-distance trucking and terminals and public warehousing and storage. However, the trend towards full-service logistical companies is blurring the distinction between trucking and warehousing. 
Local and long-distance trucking and terminals provide over-the-road transportation of cargo using motor vehicles, such as trucks and tractor trailers. This industry segment is further subdivided based on distance traveled and type of goods delivered. Local trucking establishments primarily carry goods within a single metropolitan area and its adjacent nonurban areas. Long-distance trucking establishments carry goods between distant areas. Courier service establishments handle individual letters and light packages. 

Local trucking comprised almost 65,000 trucking establishments in 2000. The work of local trucking firms varies depending on the products transported. Produce truckers usually pick up loaded trucks early in the morning and spend the rest of the day delivering produce to many different grocery stores. Lumber truckdrivers, on the other hand, make several trips from the lumber yard to one or more construction sites. Some local truck transportation firms also take on sales and customer relations responsibilities, in addition to delivering the firm’s products. Some local trucking firms specialize in local furniture moving, garbage collection and trash removal, or hauling dirt and debris. 

Long-distance trucking firms account for a majority of the jobs in the trucking and warehousing industry. Numbering more than 51,000 establishments, this sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing long-distance trucking between distant areas and sometimes between the United States and Canada and Mexico. These establishments handle a wide variety of commodities, transported in numerous types of equipment—from refrigerated trailers to flatbeds. Included in this industry are establishments operating as truckload (TL) or less than truckload (LTL) carriers. 

Truckload carriers move large amounts of goods directly to their destination usually with no stops in between. These long-distance carrier establishments provide full truck movement of freight from the shipment’s origin to its destination. The shipment of freight is a full single load not combined with other shipments. 

Less-than-truckload carriers pick up multiple shipments and bring them to a terminal, where they are unloaded and then reloaded by destination. The combined shipment is carried to a terminal near the shipments’ destination, and each shipment is delivered from there. Through a national or regional network of terminals, activities of LTL carriers include local pickup, local sorting and terminal operations, line-haul of freight, destination sorting, terminal operations, and local delivery. 

Some goods are carried across country using intermodal transportation to save time and money. Intermodal transportation encompasses any combination of truck, train, plane, or ship. Typically, trucks perform at least one leg in the intermodal transportation of goods. For example, a shipment of cars from an assembly plant begins its journey when they are loaded onto rail cars. Next, trains haul the cars across country to a depot where the shipments are broken into smaller lots, loaded onto tractor-trailers, and sent off on the final leg of their journey to dealerships. Each of these steps is carefully orchestrated and timed so that the cars arrive just in time to be shipped on their next leg of their journey. Goods can be transported at lower cost this way, but they cannot be highly perishable—such as fresh produce—nor have strict delivery time schedules. Trucking still dominates the transportation of perishable and time-sensitive goods. 

Courier services establishments deliver letters, parcels, and small packages under 100 pounds, usually within the confines of a metropolitan area. In the past, they were one of the fastest growing segments of the industry. (Companies that use aircraft to deliver small items to distant destinations are part of the air transportation industry, covered elsewhere in the Career Guide.) 

Motor freight transportation terminals are mostly operated by large trucking companies. However, there were about 473 independent terminals not affiliated with trucklines in 2000. Many of these independent terminals break down truckloads of produce and other foods into shipments to area wholesalers. Many terminals also offer truck maintenance and repair services. 

Public warehousing and storage facilities comprised more than 15,000 establishments in 2000. These firms were primarily engaged in operating warehousing and storage facilities for general merchandise and refrigerated goods. They provided facilities to store goods; self-storage mini-warehouses that rent to the general public are also included in this segment of the industry. 

Deregulation of interstate trucking in 1980 encouraged many firms to add a wide range of customer-oriented services to complement trucking and warehousing services and led to innovations in the distribution process. Increasingly, trucking and warehousing firms provide businesses full-service logistical services encompassing the entire transportation process, including inventory management, materials handling, and warehousing. Firms that offer these services are often referred to as third-party logistics providers. Logistical services manage all aspects of the movement of goods between producers and consumers, such as sorting bulk goods into customized lots, packaging and repackaging goods, inventory control and management, order entry and fulfillment, labeling, light assembly, and price marking. Logistical services such as computerized inventory information on the location, age, and quantity of goods available have improved the efficiency of relationships between manufacturers and customers. Just-in-time shipping—where trucking companies deliver goods from suppliers just in time for their use—allows recipients to reduce costly inventories but requires constant communication and accurate inventory information. Packaging, labeling, and small assembly of manufacturers’ products are other services that warehousing establishments use to attract potential customers. Some full-service companies even perform warranty repairwork and serve as local parts distributors for manufacturers. 

Working Conditions

In the trucking and warehousing industry in 2000, workers averaged 40.5 hours a week, compared with an average of 34.5 hours for all private industries. 

The U.S. Department of Transportation governs work hours and other working conditions of truckdrivers engaged in interstate commerce. For example, a long-distance driver generally cannot work more than 60 hours in any 7-day period. Many drivers, particularly on long runs, work close to the maximum time permitted because employers usually compensate them based on the number of miles or hours they drive. Drivers frequently travel at night, on holidays, and weekends to avoid traffic delays and to deliver cargo on time. 

Truckdrivers must cope with a variety of working conditions including variable weather and traffic conditions, boredom, and fatigue. Many truckdrivers, however, enjoy the independence and lack of supervision found in long-distance driving. Local truckdrivers often have regular routes or assignments that allow them to return home in the evenings. 

Improvements in roads and trucks are reducing stress and increasing the efficiency of long-distance drivers. Many advanced trucks are equipped with refrigerators, televisions, and beds for the driver’s convenience. Included in some of these state-of-the-art vehicles is a satellite link with the company headquarters. Drivers can get directions, weather reports, and other important communications in a matter of seconds. In the event of bad weather or mechanical problems, truckers can communicate with dispatchers to discuss delivery schedules and courses of action. Dispatchers can also track the location of the truck and monitor fuel consumption and engine performance. 

Vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers usually work indoors, although they occasionally make repairs on the road. Minor cuts, burns, and bruises are common, but serious accidents can be avoided when the shop is kept clean and orderly and safety practices observed. Service technicians and mechanics handle greasy and dirty parts and may stand or lie in awkward positions to repair vehicles and equipment. They usually work in well-lighted, heated, and ventilated areas, but some shops are drafty and noisy. 

Freight, terminal, and warehouse workers usually work indoors, though they may do occasional work on trucks and forklifts outside. Some occasions warrant heavy lifting and other physical labor. 

Safety is a major concern of the trucking and warehousing industry. The operation of trucks, lifts, and other technically advanced equipment can be dangerous without proper training and supervision. Efforts are underway to standardize the training programs to make drivers more efficient and effective truck operators. Truckdrivers already must adhere to federally mandated certifications and regulations. Federal mandates require drivers to submit to drug and alcohol tests as a condition of employment and more employers require periodic checks while on the job. 

In 1999, work-related injuries and illnesses in the trucking and warehousing industry averaged 8.7 per 100 full-time workers, higher than the 6.3-incidence rate for the entire private sector. About 2 out of 3 on-the-job fatalities in the trucking and warehousing industry resulted from motor vehicle accidents. 

Employment

The trucking and warehousing industry provided more than 1.8 million wage and salary jobs in 2000. About half of the salaried jobs in the industry, 926,000, were for truckdrivers and driver/sales workers. Other transportation and material-moving jobs numbered 350,000, and another 314,000 jobs were in various office and administrative support occupations. There were about 99,000 managers; 57,000 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists; and 31,000 sales and related workers. In addition to wage and salary workers, an estimated 289,000 workers in the industry were self-employed in 2000. 

Most employees in the trucking and warehousing industry work in small establishments. Over 3 out of 4 trucking and warehousing establishments employ fewer than 10 workers (see chart). Consolidation in the industry has reduced the number of small, specialized firms. About 8 percent of truckdrivers operate their own business. Although these owner-operators constantly enter the industry each year, intense competition has caused many to fail. 

Trucking and warehousing establishments are found throughout the United States, with a higher concentration around the major interstate highways and in heavily industrialized regions of the country such as in California, New Jersey, and Texas. 

Occupations in the Industry

Transportation and material moving occupations account for 69 percent of all jobs in the industry (table 1). Truckdrivers and driver/sales workers, who hold one-half of all trucking and warehousing jobs, transport goods from one location to another. They ensure safe delivery of cargo to a specific destination, often by a designated time. Drivers also perform some minor maintenance work on their vehicles and make routine safety checks. 

The length of trips varies according to the type of merchandise and its final destination. Local drivers provide regular service while other drivers make inter-city and interstate deliveries that take longer and may vary from job to job. The driver’s responsibilities and assignments change according to the time spent on the road and the type of payloads transported. 

Local drivers usually work more normal schedules and return home at the end of the day. They may deliver goods to stores or homes, or haul away dirt and debris from excavation sites. Many local drivers cover the same routes daily or weekly. Long-distance truckdrivers often are on the road for long stretches of time. Their trips vary from an overnight stay to a week or more. On longer trips, drivers sometimes sleep in bunks in their cabs or share driving with another driver. 

Laborers, and hand freight, stock, and material movers help load and unload freight and move it around warehouses and terminals. Often these unskilled employees work together in groups of three or four. They may use conveyor belts, hand trucks, or forklifts to move freight. They may place heavy or bulky items on wooden skids or pallets and have industrial truck and tractor operators move them. 

Office and administrative support workers perform the daily record keeping operations for the trucking and warehousing industry. Dispatchers coordinate the movement of freight and trucks. They provide the main communication link that informs the truckdrivers of their assignments, schedules, and routes. Often dispatchers receive new shipping orders on short notice and must juggle drivers’ assignments and schedules to accommodate a client. Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks keep records of shipments arriving and leaving. They verify the contents of trucks’ cargo against shipping records. They may also pack and move stock. Billing and posting clerks and machine operators maintain company records of the shipping rates negotiated with customers and shipping charges incurred; they also prepare customer invoices. 

Workers in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations generally enter these jobs only after acquiring experience in related jobs or after receiving specialized training. Most vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers require special vocational training. Service technicians and mechanics in trucking and warehousing firms perform preventive safety checks as well as routine service and repairs. Service technicians and mechanics sometimes advance to parts manager positions. Parts managers keep the supply of replacement parts needed to repair vehicles. Parts managers monitor the parts inventory using a computerized system, and purchase new parts to replenish supplies. These employees need mechanical knowledge and must be familiar with computers and purchasing procedures. 

Sales and related workers sell trucking and warehousing services to shippers of goods. They meet with prospective buyers, discuss the customer’s needs, and suggest appropriate services. Travel may be required, and many analyze sales statistics, prepare reports, and handle some administrative duties. 

Managerial staff provide general direction to the firm. They staff, supervise, and provide safety and other training to workers in the various occupations. They also resolve logistical problems such as forecasting transportation demand, mapping out the most efficient traffic routes, order processing, parts and equipment service support, and transportation of goods to the right place at the right time. 

Training & Advancement

Many jobs in the trucking and warehousing industry require only a high school education, although an increasing number of workers have at least some college education. Increased emphasis on formal education stems from increased complexity in the industry. Nearly all operations involve computers and information management systems. Many occupations require detail-oriented persons with computer skills. A growing number of employers recommend some form of formal training either in-house or through trade or union programs. Although, the Federal Government does not mandate these programs, the trend is toward certification and standardized competency. 

Whereas many States allow those who are 18 years old to drive trucks within State borders, the U.S. Department of Transportation establishes minimum qualifications for truckdrivers engaged in interstate commerce. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require truckdrivers to be at least 21 years old, have at least 20/40 vision and good hearing, and be able to read and speak English. They must also have good driving records. In addition, drivers must have a State commercial driver’s license, for which they must pass a written examination and a skills test operating the type of vehicle they will be driving. Individual companies often have additional requirements applicants must meet. 

Some truckdrivers enter the occupation by attending training schools for truckdrivers. Schools vary greatly in the quality of training they provide, but they are becoming more standardized. Many employers and some States support these programs. 

Some large trucking companies have formal training programs that prospective drivers attend. Other companies assign experienced drivers to teach and mentor newer drivers. Local trucking firms often start drivers as truckdriver helpers. As they gain experience and demonstrate their reliability, they receive assignments with greater earnings or preferred work schedules. Because of increased competition for experienced drivers, some larger companies lure these drivers with increased pay and preferred assignments. Some trucking firms hire only experienced drivers. 

Some long-distance truckdrivers purchase a truck and go into business for themselves. Although many of these owner-operators are successful, some fail to cover expenses and eventually go out of business. Owner-operators should have good business sense as well as truckdriving experience. Courses in accounting, business, and business mathematics are helpful, and knowledge of truck mechanics can enable owner-operators to perform their own routine maintenance and minor repairs. 

Unskilled employees may work as helpers, laborers, and material-movers in their first job. They must be in good physical condition because the work often involves a great deal of physical labor and heavy lifting. They acquire skills on the job and often advance to more skilled jobs, such as industrial truck operator, truckdriver, shipping and receiving clerk, or supervisor. 

Office and administrative support jobs in the trucking and warehousing industry require good typing skills and familiarity with computers. Shipping and receiving clerks watch and learn the skills of the trade from more experienced workers while on the job. Stock clerks and truckdrivers often advance to dispatcher positions after becoming familiar with company operations and procedures. 

While some vehicle and mobile equipment mechanics, installers, and repairers learn the trade on the job, most employers prefer to hire graduates of programs in diesel mechanics offered by community and junior colleges or vocational and technical schools. Those with no training often start as helpers to mechanics, doing basic errands and chores such as washing trucks or moving them to different locations. Experience as an automotive service technician is helpful because many of the skills relate to diesel technology. Experienced technicians may advance to shop supervisor or parts manager positions. 

For managerial jobs in the trucking and warehousing industry, employers prefer persons with bachelor’s degrees in business, marketing, accounting, industrial relations, or economics. Good communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills are valuable in entry level jobs. Although most managers must learn logistics through extensive training on the job, several universities offer graduate and undergraduate programs in logistics. These programs emphasize the tools necessary to manage the distribution of goods and are sometimes associated with the business departments of schools. Managers hired for entry-level positions sometimes advance to top level managerial jobs. 

Some college graduates and persons without a college degree enter sales or administrative positions. Marketing and sales workers must be familiar with their firm’s products and services and have strong communication skills. 

Job Outlook

The number of wage and salary jobs in the trucking and warehousing industry is expected to grow 22 percent from 2000 through 2010, compared with projected growth of 16 percent for all industries combined. Because the industry is large, many job openings will result—not only from employment growth—but also from the need to replace the large number of workers who transfer to other industries or retire. Opportunities in this industry should be good for qualified workers at all levels, especially in truckdriving and service technician occupations. 

One of the main factors influencing the growth of the trucking and warehousing industry is the state of the national economy. Growth in the industry parallels economic upswings and downturns. As the national economy grows, production and sales of goods increase, thus increasing demand for transportation services to move goods from producers to consumers. In a recession, this industry is one of the first to slow down as orders for goods and shipments Decline. Competition in the trucking and warehousing industry is intense, both among trucking companies and, in some long-haul truckload segments, with the railroad industry. Nevertheless, trucking has been accounting for an increasingly large share of freight transportation revenue. 

Additional employment growth will result from manufacturers’ willingness to concentrate more on their core competencies—producing goods—and outsource their distribution functions to trucking and warehousing companies. As firms in other industries increasingly employ this industry's logistical services, such as inventory management and just-in-time shipping, many new jobs will be created. Also, the expansion of electronic commerce as more consumers and businesses make purchases over the Internet will continue to increase demand for the transportation and logistical services of the trucking and warehousing industry. 

Opportunities for qualified truckdrivers are expected to be favorable. In some areas, companies have experienced difficulties recruiting adequately skilled drivers. Truckdriving pays relatively well, but many persons leave the career because of the lengthy periods away from home, long hours of driving, and the negative public image drivers face. Stricter requirements for obtaining—and keeping—a commercial driver’s license also make truckdriving less attractive as a career. Opportunities for diesel service technicians and mechanics also are expected to be favorable, especially for applicants with formal postsecondary training. 

Growth in the trucking and warehousing industry should prompt an increase in office and administrative support employment. More dispatchers, stock clerks, and shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks will be needed to support expanded logistical services across the country. However, fewer secretaries, bookkeepers, and file clerks will be needed because computers and other automated equipment will make workers in these occupations more efficient and productive. 

Courier and delivery services has been one of the most rapidly growing segments of the industry. Employment is expected to continue to increase even as competition from overnight air-courier firms, and business use of fax machines and e-mail moderates growth.  

Earnings

Most employers compensate truckdrivers with an hourly rate or a rate-per-mile system. Truckdrivers who operate heavy tractor-trailers generally have higher earnings than those who drive light delivery trucks. Benefits, including performance related bonuses, health insurance, and sick and vacation leave are common in the trucking industry.

The major union in the trucking and warehousing industry is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. About 19.0 percent of trucking and warehousing workers are union members or are covered by union contracts, compared to 14.9 percent of workers in all industries combined. Some trucking companies use “double breasting” in an attempt to lower labor costs. This involves employing union as well as nonunion operating divisions. Other companies use multi-tier wage scales and pay lower wages for new hires. Pay increases after predetermined periods and safe driving records.
 

Table 3. Median hourly earnings of the largest occupations in trucking and warehousing, 2000
Occupation	Trucking and warehousing	All industries
General and operations managers	$27.11	$29.41
Transportation, storage, and distribution managers	23.61	26.07
First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators	20.18	19.37
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer	16.32	15.25
Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance	15.33	13.66
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists	14.66	15.55
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand	10.37	9.04
Truck drivers, light or delivery services	12.57	10.74
Industrial truck and tractor operators	11.72	11.74
Couriers and Messengers	9.01	8.96

Source: Career Guide to Industries, Bureau of Labor Statistics

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