There’s no denying that drivers of all kinds are some of the most under-appreciated, necessary members of society. The work they do is crucial to commonplace daily life we all go about every single day. Recruits seeking to join the force are faced with more choices than ever before.
To help you navigate the web of driving jobs and figure out which ones are the most worthwhile, we’ve compiled a list of the most lucrative driving jobs out there.
However, the highest paid driving jobs come with inherent risks and danger.
1. Stunt Driver
If a high-speed pursuit through various obstacles or launching out of a car before it gets blown up is appealing to you, then being a stunt driver may be right up your alley. Based on project to project, the average salary of a stunt driver is in the $70K range, however, an experienced and reputable driver can easily make $100,000 or more per year.
You have to have a very specialized skill set, however, if you want to keep surviving the daily grind. You’d be well-advised to enroll in a stunt-driving school for the best hope at meeting the best qualifications for the job, such as skillful knowledge and physical fitness.
2. Over the Road Truck Driver
OTR truck drivers are highly specialized in their fields of expertise due to the tangled web of laws governing their positions. There’s also a special training they have to complete to even get behind the wheel.
Furthermore, it is a must that they have outstanding driving records with nothing marring them whatsoever, such as DUI’s or DWI’s. Once they’ve passed the D.O.T physical exam, they can work toward getting their licenses.
OTR truck drivers can expect a median annual salary of $44,000, with $100,000 typically earned in more dangerous and extreme conditions, or in highly specialized jobs (e.g. ice road or over sized load trucking).
3. War Zone Truck Driver
Related to OTR drivers, many civilian contractors can take over driving positions for the military overseas wherever conflict is still available.
You’d be hauling various equipment and supplies through dangerous terrain and circumstances, and you’d be expected to have roughly the same qualifications as an OTR driver, as well as roughly the same pay expectations. In fact, due to the danger, the pay could be higher.
Here’s an example – it’s a KBR heavy truck driver position located in Iraq:
Note at the bottom of the job description:
It should be understood that employment may be located in potentially dangerous areas, including combat or war zones. This might involve the possibility of suffering harm by dangerous forces or friendly fire. These dangers are inherent to working conditions in a dangerous environment.
KBR.com
4. Automotive Test Driver
Here’s where we get into the college-level knowledge. Automotive Test Driving or Factory Test Driving involves driving and evaluating different cars and their functions before sale, and you’re often required to at least have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
Basically, the more you know about the cars and their makeup in question, the more likely you are to land this job.
Testing cars’ safety and functionality before they hit the market can be hazardous. We’re talking about over 3,000 pounds of machinery on average.
According to Ziprecruiter, the average annual salary for a test driver is around $42,000, but pay can be as high as $94,500 (and also as low as $17,500). This leads us to think that experience, education and who your employer is are major factors that determine a driver’s salary.
5. Highway Patrol Officer
You actually spend more time behind the wheel than you’d think with this position.
Although the average salary of a highway patrol officer is around $52,000 in the U.S.per year, this job can be lucrative where you can make close to $100,000 or more depending on experience, education, certifications, additional skills and even location.
In California, for example, CHP employees (including non uniformed staff) made an average of $92,000 per year in 2018, which climbed to $110,000 when you account overtime.
To snag this one, you need to pass a battery of tests that includes written, physical, psychological, and medical exams. Also, you should have excellent vision with normal color and depth perception, and be at least high school educated. You’ll also have to pass the Highway Patrol Academy with equally high computer and reading and comprehension skills.
Any other driving jobs that you know of that pays well? Share in the comments.
Geoff is a freelance writer at TruckersTraining.com with 20+ years of experience driving trucks and buses, dispatching, supervising, and training commercial driving teams. His expertise is writing topics on the transportation and trucking industry, and information technology trends.
