Can you start out with 80k with you become a trucker in North Dakota?

When the computer boom happened in the 80's, the entire economy stopped focusing on teaching people TRADES and focused on teaching people to sit in front of a computer screen. Trades like Plumber, Electrician, Mason, Welder, Truck Driver, etc went by the wayside. Now... there is a shortage of Welders, Masons and other trades.

What you really should be looking at is this: What job would make you happy? Remember... it is YOU who are going to be doing this for many years to come. What do you really WANT to do? There are many trades that pay well. In each of these trades there are the low income earners and the high income earners.

Make the decision to be among the high income earners in whatever field you decide to go into. But make a choice based not on money but on whether you would be happy.

 

I think I would rather be a truck driver than any other skilled trades.

 

Then do what you are doing. LOTS OF RESEARCH. Learn all you can about this industry prior to jumping in and this Forum is a great place to do it. I wish you well!

 

On craigslist sw mn under transportation.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarshall.craigslist.org%2F&ei=niCwUID0EIHZqAHH-YCYDg&usg=AFQjCNEGFNdq4mDPyu6imw55cwd31b9WKQ&sig2=UIekjomPAxqHrZ0DLoKzzw

 

This is the best reply on here. Trucking is a cool job that'll take you many places...but at the same time you drive right by them. I've driven over the road and in the ND patch. I didn't stay long for a reason, and don't miss it a bit. I'll make $60k this year as a company driver and I get home every 7-10 days. If you can find someone willing to hire a green horn and your willing to risk it, then knock yourself out. I honestly believe someone with 0 experience has no place in the patch. Some make it just fine, but even drivers with experience fight putting it in a ditch every time it rains or snows up there. The roads are all mud up there, and their ground is softer than anything you've ever driven on, and slick as oil too. Good luck in your ventures...and don't forget some layers of clothes.

 

hard to say to be honest havent really kept good records because was getting paid lower end in texas....

 

To be honest (as a seasoned driver) i prefer not to share a difficult road, with an inexperienced driver, for no other reason than they are a danger to themselves and others (ME) i've seen enough harmful mistakes over the years, and i don't want to be part of one. We all gotta start somewhere, but thinking that after driving 256 miles in wheel holder school you are ready for frozen crowned roads with a hazardous material, is bad judgement

 

how did you get that job? What company is it?

 

This hand wants everybody else to do all the work looking and researching, then once they find Him a job, he wants to know all the in's and out's...Here you go Rook, take some time and shoe leather and look for your self, and you need to lower your expectations a little too, unless you know someone that knows someone 80k a year ain't happening....not to start with.

 

80k a year is a very good possibility opportunity for new drivers is not what it used to be, a lot of accidents have tightened up a lot of company's hiring requirements. iv been hauling water in nd for a while now, things have changed a lot in that time. esp in the last year. I have seen a LOT of people come and go for various reasons, its not for everyone out here you have to be pretty thick skinned. there is still opportunity out here and still opportunity for new drivers. be careful of who you go to work for there are a lot of crooks out here as well as a lot of good people to work for as well. some will promise the world and deliver nothing including your paycheck. housing is sub standard and over priced you will work in all extremes of weather shutting down for weather is unacceptable 99.9% of the time. the nature of the oil feild is up and down. you have to plan for this, dont go and spend all your money every pay check at times even at the best company's you will get slow and be begging for work (although a good company will normally get you something to do every day even if its only a couple hours) but even then some unplanned days off are unavoidable fracks break down ect. and then next thing you know your begging for some time off cause your working your tail off. its dusty dirty cold hot ect. but that all being said i enjoy working in the oil fields although i have lived near them for some time (live in bismarck nd been there for 8 years) its only about 2.5 hours from Stanley nd and 3-3.5 hours from willistion. work out of stanley nd currently have a camper there that i stay in or the sleeper on the truck depending on where exactly the work is. work 3 weeks on 1 week home and made 102k from my employer last year as a company driver (been with my current employer for almost 2 years) I suggest taking a trip out here and checking it out before you commit to it esp if you are coming from far away or planning to relocate your family. talk to some of the people out here go drive around check out housing maybe talk to a few company's then go back home think about it and then decide what you want.