Got my CDLs! Which direction?

What's up guys?? I graduated from a local truck driving school last week and passed my CDL test on the first try! I was really happy that I can start my new career. I got lucky and was able to get a local job to start out, it pays OK (little better than my last job). I am just doing it for experience and plus I have to let an excessive ticket fall off in 9 months. I am trying to get a long term goal set and do as much research as I can to which direction to go in. There are so many directions to go it gets overwhelming.

I am lucky to live just north of Cincinnati, where there are about 2000 trucking companies around (random number, but there is a lot). Including a lot of big companies! I want to stay local because of my family and wanted to get on at a big company that pays well. What are the best? I have been doing a lot of research and I can't figure out where to aim? tanker, ltl, linehaul, food, etc. I know FedEx pays well but I want a job I go straight to driving or at least part time driving and dock with good pay. I can survive off $15 to start but I hear some companies can get much higher than that.

Any suggestions I should shoot for after experience? I see bad things about R&L but I have a friend there who loves it. My goal is to make At least 50k and I will be happy. I'm not afraid of labor either.

Should I shoot for tanker? Or for a big company like FedEx or ups? Maybe a food place? Anyone with any insight with these companies could ya help me out? Thanks guys!

 

I know I will have to wait for that ticket to fall off there. Can I start as a driver or do I have to start on the dock?