Driver Jobs Outlook

Driver Jobs: Truck drivers, bus drivers and driver/sales workers comprise one portion of this field. Taxi drivers and chauffeurs are also part of this industry, which is predicted to have average growth over the next seven years.

Education: State and federal regulations govern the qualifications and standards for truck drivers. All drivers must comply with federal regulations and any state regulations that are in excess of those federal requirements. Licensing varies depending on the state and the business.

Scope: Overall employment of truck drivers and driver/sales workers is expected to have an average increase. Job opportunities may vary from year to year, since the output of the economy dictates the amount of freight to be moved. Companies tend to hire more drivers when the economy is strong and their services are in high demand. When the economy slows, employers hire fewer drivers or may lay off some drivers. Independent owner-operators are particularly vulnerable to slowdowns. Industries least likely to be affected by economic fluctuation, such as grocery stores, tend to be the most stable employers of truck drivers and driver/sales workers.

Despite a relatively flat increase of 400,000 driver jobs in the past ten years, projections indicate that driver jobs will continue to grow 11.9% through 2014. The largest growth? Truck drivers and heavy tractor-trailer driver jobs are most popular. Plus, unemployment for driver jobs is lower than the national average.

• Driver Jobs Outlook