Long-haul truck driver or tech worker?
A sun-drenched highway, the radio playing, the views out of the window — truck driving seems to offer that rare combination of freedom and stability. The job is popular in America, but is it a little too romanticised? Let's look more closely at its advantages and drawbacks and compare it with the equally popular career in tech. Which really offers more freedom, more money and more room to grow?
What truck driving involves
To begin with, this is not simply a matter of operating a truck. Being a long-haul driver means living a particular way: covering thousands of miles over a few days, spending most of your time behind the wheel, being away from home for long stretches and answering for the cargo you carry.
In tech, everything is the reverse:
- you mostly work from home, a coworking space or an office;
- the hours are flexible;
- the job is not moving goods but thinking systematically and solving problems continuously.
The advantages and drawbacks of long-haul driving
The advantages:
- no office routine;
- no degree required, and you can enter the profession with no experience;
- a comparatively quick start to the career — more on that shortly.
The drawbacks deserve saying too:
- considerable physical and emotional strain, with no regular routine and no proper meals;
- little chance to spend time with family;
- any medical problem and your licence goes;
- limited career prospects;
- the road carries plenty of risk.
Truck driving takes stamina and a readiness to face the difficulties above.
How to become a truck driver in the USA, and how to get into tech
We are often asked which is easier for a migrant to get into: tech or trucking. For drivers, the main goal is a commercial driver's licence (CDL). For tech specialists, it is acquiring a set of skills they can demonstrate to an employer.
CDL training usually takes one to two months. Pass the exam, get the licence and you can start looking for vacancies. We would also recommend checking which documents each individual company requires. You will need a medical certificate and documents confirming your legal status in the USA. It is also worth reading up on how to obtain a CDL as a migrant, since requirements vary by state.
In tech the path is more flexible. There is no single licence equivalent to a CDL. You choose a direction that interests you, take a course, build up skills and start interviewing. The training costs money, but it pays for itself very quickly.
Tech salaries and truck driver pay
Having covered how to start in each, it is time to talk about prospects — the money in particular. Both fields are in demand, and in tech employers are looking for developers, testers, analysts and designers alike. Pay varies by specialism and by company, so we will take averages.
People starting out in tech earn $65,000–$90,000 a year. What a truck driver earns in the USA also depends on their level of competence: beginners can expect $45,000 to $55,000 a year. In both fields, income rises with experience.
When choosing between the road and tech, weigh more than the starting salary. Look at the prospects, the barrier to entry, the working conditions and the risks. Either way, learning to program is a sound investment in yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Which documents do you need to work as a long-haul driver?
A CDL, a DOT medical certificate, proof of legal status in the USA and a driving licence.
How does a migrant obtain a CDL?
You need work authorisation in the USA, such as an EAD or a Green Card.
What salary can a beginning truck driver expect?
An average of $45,000–$55,000 a year in the USA.
How long does it take to learn tech from scratch?
It depends on the direction. Studying on a course and working at it regularly, you can find your first job in three to six months.
Which documents do you need to start working in tech?
No special licences at all. What matters is your skills, a portfolio and confidence in the interview.
