Female truck drivers are becoming increasingly common in the transport industry. While truck drivers have traditionally been white men, changing conditions in the industry are opening the profession to others. In fact, there is a large push to introduce women and minorities into the industry.As a result, women trucker drivers have gone from representing less then 5% of the workforce to nearly 8% in just a few years. As a woman, you may wonder should you expect to see more female truck drivers by 2025? Read below to discover why the answer to that question is unquestionably yes.
A Market In Need
Women have benefitted from a market that needs a lot of drivers, quickly. The transportation industry suffering from a historic lack of skilled drivers. In response, trucking companies are prepared to employ anyone who can do the job. However, they are overcoming the shortage by encouraging diversity and equality in their hiring process. While there have been plenty of sexism and bias in the past, today’s industry offers women plenty of opportunities for a successful career in driving. The industry is now largely merit based, with the best routes and contracts going to the person with the best record. The need for more drivers has made transportation a progressive industry.
Personal Freedom
Many women are attracted to trucking by the personal freedom the job grants. According to GirardiKeese.com, “A business is responsible for choosing, training and evaluating its employees.” Once hired and trained,truckers do not have a boss directly over their shoulder as they work. They are entrusted to make their own schedule and keep deadlines for their shipments. While this is hard work, each trucker can choose how they go about their day to day activities. This appeals to a lot of women who are tired of having no say in their working day. It also creates a lot of flexibility in when they work, which can be attractive to women who would like to work for certain months out of the year. The personal freedom on the road gives women complete autonomy over their jobs.
Equal Pay
Additionally, women receive equal pay when they become truck drivers. As the need for truckers increases, transport companies have raised wages and benefits to match. The median salary for most truckers starting out is about $45,000 along with a strong benefits package. After some time, female truckers can earn upwards of $60,000 for their experience or trust to handle valuable cargo. A trucker’s pay is based on either mileage, hours, or a percentage of the loads value. The way it is structured encourages employers to treat all drivers the same, regardless of gender. Therefore, a woman without a college degree can be paid well in trucking, without worrying about wage inequality.
Technological Upgrades
The latest generation of big-rig trucks are much easier for women to drive. Traditional trucks made it difficult for many women to drive. They might have struggled to reach the pedals or open the hood. Manual shifting in such a truck also requires a great deal of upper body strength. As more women have entered trucking, manufacturers have responded with more customizable cabs,automatic transmissions and adjustable seats to make trucking easier for women with a smaller stature. More so, new security features are introduced to keep truckers driving safe. These advancements guarantee that just about anyone can become a trucker, regardless of shape or size. Another technological advance in the trucking industry is the use of ELD devices, which help log driver hours and routes.
Opportunities For Advancement
Women are not only becoming more common as truckers, but everywhere else in the transportation industry. About 75% of trucking companies have female directors in their management team. These directors and others all over the industry have worked hard to make sure transportation is inclusive to women. Female truckers know that if they want to give up the open road, they can advance within in the industry because of all the business relationships they build along the way. The increasing opportunities available in the industry are another reason women are moving to this career.
There are many reasons to expect to see more female truckers by 2025. An industry starved for talented drivers has welcomed diversity and inclusion. The personal freedom the job offers appeals to women. The pay is not only good, but equal between men and women. New technology in the truck makes the job physically safer and less demanding for women. Moreover, a high percentage of women have the opportunity to advance their career within the industry. For these reasons,we can expect more women to become truck drivers in the next 5-7 years.