Trucking Jobs for Women: What to Expect and How to Start

In recent years, more and more women are joining the trucking industry and finding that professional driving can be a solid, stable career with good pay and job security.

At New Sound CDL School, we’ve trained many women who decided to give trucking a shot. Some were switching jobs. Others were starting from scratch. Most had doubts at first, but those doubts quickly turned into confidence as they built real skills behind the wheel.

If you’re wondering whether or not trucking could work for you, here’s some practical insight from our real world experience.

How Many Truck Drivers Are Women?

Right now, about 12% of truck drivers in the U.S. are women. That number used to be much lower and it's only growing.

More women are considering CDL school as a legitimate option because:

• Trucking pays well.
• It doesn’t require a college degree.
• Job demand is high.

Some women want a job that gives them freedom. Others are simply tired of working long hours for low pay.

Why Do Some Women Choose Trucking?

Here are a few common reasons we hear from our female students:

1. Better Pay: The average starting salary of our CDL graduates is $89,000. Some earn more with endorsements or specialized routes. If you're used to working in hospitality, retail, or similar jobs, trucking can be a major step up.
2. More Flexibility: Not all trucking jobs are long-haul. Many of our graduates drive local or regional routes. If being home daily matters to you, you can find that kind of job.
3. Career Independence: In trucking, your work speaks for itself. You’re trusted to do your job without someone constantly checking in. For a lot of women, that independence is a big part of the appeal.
4. Clear Results: You know what you earn. You know what the job requires. There’s no guessing or office politics. You’re trained, tested, and trusted to perform.

What Makes Trucking Challenging?

Trucking isn’t perfect. Like any job, it comes with tradeoffs. Here are a few things to think about before deciding to pursue your CDL:

1. Safety on the Road: Some women worry about overnight parking or long stretches alone. That’s valid. But options like team driving or day routes can help alleviate a lot of that danger. Many of our students start local, build experience, and decide from there.
2. Equipment Fit: Trucks weren’t always designed for smaller frames. But newer trucks have better seating, easier steps, and more adjustability. You don’t need to be tall or strong, you just need to be well-trained.
3. People's Assumptions: You might run into a few outdated views. But once you show your skills, most people get it. Confidence grows fast when you know what you’re doing.

How New Sound CDL School Leads the Way

We train all students to the same high standard. We’ve been able to bring clarity and support to countless women through professional training, high expectations, and a state-leading program.

Here’s how New Sound CDL School raises the bar:

• Manual and Automatic Training: We encourage manual training if you want to avoid restrictions on your license, but we offer both with corresponding trucks for hands-on practice.
• Clean, Professional Facilities: Our training yard is fully paved, and our campus is safe and welcoming with dedicated training equipment.
• Expert Instruction: Our instructors are certified and trained educators with real world experience to back up their teaching.
• Job Support: We connect our graduates with carriers who are looking for skilled, reliable drivers—women and men alike.

How Do I Get My CDL?

Here’s a simple path forward:

1. Talk to us. We’ll answer all of your questions and make sure you’re ready to start.
2. Pick your CDL Class and schedule. We offer Class A and B CDLs with full-time, part-time, and evening options.
3. Choose your payment option. We offer various payment plans and partner with grant programs that you may qualify for.
4. Enroll online. Submit your enrollment and get ready to start trucking!

FAQs for Women in Trucking

Is it safe to drive solo as a woman?‍

Yes, especially with the right planning. But team and local routes are always good options if you want added safety.

Do I need to be strong to drive a semi truck?‍

No. Today’s trucks have power steering and modern controls. It’s more about attention and timing than muscle.

Do women earn less than male CDL drivers?‍

No. Pay is based on the load, not who you are. You can easily earn more by working smarter and exhibiting trusted reliability.

Can I be home every night?‍

Yes. Plenty of local and regional jobs offer daily routes.

How can I pay for CDL school?‍

We accept job grants, payment plans, and more. We can walk you through it.

A CDL Career Can Work For You

You don’t need to know everything about CDLs and trucking right away. You just need to be willing to explore the idea. As CDL educators, we know that trucking isn’t for everyone, so we’re not trying to convince you into it. If you want to learn more, reach out to us today or come visit our school. Talk with our instructors. Sit in a truck. Ask any questions you might have.

At New Sound CDL School, we offer honest answers, professional training, and the tools to decide if trucking fits your life. We’re not here to sell you a dream. We’re here to show you what’s possible and help you make it happen.