State Overview
Over 60,000 trucking companies & exporters in Florida, and over 72,280 drivers. The highest paid truck drivers earn $47,400 ($22.79 hourly). The highest paying areas are Jacksonville with a Median Annual Salary of $42,510, Lakeland-Winter Haven ($42,190), and Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach-Deerfield Beach ($40,300).
Pros and Cons of Truck Driving in Florida
GOOD:
- Opportunity, easy work, many local jobs, good for starter
BAD:
- Hard to get home time as OTR, few loads coming into/leaving the South
Truck Driving Tips for Florida
- OTR offers better pay for new drivers…but there are fewer jobs
- LTL freight companies & private fleets generally pay well
- Drive flatbed to make the most money
- Get with a union, your pay scale is protected
- Be aware of weather conditions
Fellow Truck Drivers in Florida Say:
“Trucking will take you places”
Joreca W. – 1 Year under my belt
GOOD
Plenty of driving opportunities
BAD
The heat, traffic, and small roads
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Trucking is a great career, it will take you places
“Flat land”
Gerald C. – 3 Years of experience
GOOD
No hills or mountains
BAD
Congestion around major cities
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Stay with one company for a year before seeking out another employer
“Suck up low pay for 2 years”
Peter V. – 3 Years driving experience
GOOD
No ice or snow
BAD
Not a lot of freight coming in
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Practice, practice, practice. You have to suck up low pay for 2 years and then you can get a good job.
“Will train opportunity”
Brandon C. – 1 Year of experience
GOOD
It’s a will train job opportunity
BAD
Home time can be hard to come by if you’re doing OTR. If you live in South Florida it can be especially tough
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
It’s a lifestyle, not a job. Be prepared to be away from home
“OTR offers better opportunities”
Robert H. – 9 years on road
GOOD
Nice scenery…
BAD
Poor pay… $14 an hour to start…that’s with experience…
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
OTR offers better opportunities and better pay for new drivers…but there are a limited few OTR companies that operate out of Florida…but if you like to travel and make good money, that’s your best bet. Get with a union if possible…that way your pay scale is protected…and you’re guaranteed good great paying jobs…
“LTL and private fleets pay well”
Bruce B. – 26 years driving experience and over 2 million miles
GOOD
Overall the infrastructure is well maintained versus other states
BAD
The traffic in South Florida can be bad
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Try LTL freight companies they generally pay well. Private fleets generally pay better to. Do your homework before picking a carrier to work for. Don’t get talked into a lease purchase agreement.
“Drive flatbed to make the most money”
Eugene R. – 4 Years driving OTR
GOOD
Higher off the ground, easy work
BAD
Traffic and the humidity
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Drive flatbed to make the most money here in Florida
“Good natured people”
Harry S. – 2 years of experience
GOOD
Weather, good natured people
BAD
Lack of truck stops on east coast below St. Augustine. Overly medicated senior citizen drivers.
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Keep open minded. Treat every day as a opportunity to learn something new.
“Be confident of what you doing take your time and practice.”
Charlens E. – 3 years on the road
GOOD
Flat land, never encounter any snow…
BAD
Traffic is one. Also Sun Pass sucks
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Stay confident, pre-route, listen to the weather. Don’t spend all your money at truck stops invest in your own truck appliances like a electric stove, skillet, etc.
“Snowbirds”
Shelly T. – 11 years on the road
GOOD
One good thing about driving a truck is the ability to see the landscape the beautiful scenery throughout the state.
BAD
The biggest problem I have encountered Driving in Florida is the snowbirds. This creates a lot of traffic.
TIP TO NEW DRIVERS
Be confident of what you doing take your time and practice.