Advice For Nomad Student Driver?

Legally you should transfer your CDL to Texas, but only if you transfer your domicile to Texas.
Texas is a little strict about this and may require a rent/lease contract or something. Call Texas DMV and ask. Where in Texas will you live; city.
If you have hazmat there's tanker OTR companies such as Schneider Bulk and Groendyke Transport.
Flatbed:
Melton Truck Lines
System Transport
Keim TS
Jones Bros. Trucking
Howard Transportation
Waggoners Trucking Co.
Safer Transportation

 

Most of your "really physical" driving jobs are largely going to be local or regional. Flatbed can be 48 but typically is a "large regional" for the most part, unless something unusual comes up.

 

No you don't have to have a Texas address to work out of a Texas terminal.
Yes, get the hazmat; some companies pay more per mile for hazmat endorsement, plus with chemical tankers you will need it.
Schneider Bulk trains new tanker drivers in PA and in Houston. Houston is tanker heaven for jobs.
As for flatbed, probably all those I listed hire in PA and Houston.
System Transport hires runs 48 states, Canada, and an occasional Alaska. Trucks have Tripac APU's.
I'm not familiar with Safer other than they run 48 states. Jones runs 48 states and Canada. Howard is permitted for 48 states but run mostly 32 states.

Another reason to get hazmat endorsement is because even flatbed companies sometimes pick up a hazmat load, so having the endorsement may mean the difference in sitting in a truckstop waiting for a non-hazmat load or hitting the road because you have the endorsement.
Even reefer companies pull hazmat loads. I did several in reefers such as paint or car batteries.

Howard hauls lots of electrical products such as transformers. These would be hazmat if the oil is in the transformer prior to shipment.

 

I think you should get your CDL in Texas where there is no state tax. From what I understand, maybe the Hazmat must be done in TX. Someone on here will know. Create your domicile in TX with car tags, Banking, residence, drivers license, mail, etc. and good ole Pa can't get their 3.2 percent of your pay. (I think that's the correct percentage.)