The health of the trucking industry spells the sustenance of supply chains and, literally, the movement of global trade. As we cruise through the remainder of 2024, knowing opportunities for truckers across different states is very important for industry professionals and businesses who rely on logistics services.

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A new study by Lance Surety Bonds reveals the top and worst states for truck drivers. It gives us a glimpse at one of the most important industries today. The review includes trucking factors like salaries, job availability, and safety metrics, giving an overall picture of how the trucking sector differs across U.S. states.

The 3 Best States for Truckers

Lance Surety Bonds found that Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin are the top three states for truckers. This is due to an abundance of trucking jobs, competitive wages, and friendly working conditions. Pennsylvania also has a vast highway and trucking route system, making it ideal for logistics and running interstate commerce. This state’s strategic location, connecting major East Coast markets with the Midwest, also contributes to its desirability and high ranking for drivers and trucking companies seeking to optimize operations.

States Paying Truckers the Most

Alaska has the highest pay rate for truck drivers, averaging an annual salary of $65,870. The high wages could reflect the tough terrain and isolation of most Alaskan routes, which influence shipping costs and logistics planning.

At the metro level, Lincoln, Nebraska, offers the highest average truck driver salary, with $77,110, followed by the area in California of the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area, which pays an average of $67,560. These figures may be particularly relevant for companies with distribution centers or other shipping needs in these areas.

Areas With the Most Truckers

Companies looking to establish or grow their logistics operations may also want to know that the largest percentage of truckers reside in Arkansas and North Dakota. The two states have 27.1 and 26.8 truckers per 1,000 jobs, respectively. More significantly, the information indicates that these states could have a stronger trucking structure and better access to qualified drivers than other states.

Businesses that deal in cross-border trade will note that Laredo, Texas, boasts the highest concentration of truckers among metro areas, with 50 truckers per 1,000 jobs. This bears a strong indication that Laredo is one of the most important centralized logistics centers for trade relations between the U.S. and Mexico.

States Best for Trucker Safety

Safety in the trucking industry is paramount for drivers, but it also affects the supply chains they maintain. Wyoming and Arkansas reportedly have the highest numbers of deadly semi-truck accidents per capita, while Hawaii has the fewest. This would be useful information for businesses to inform route planning and risk assessment in these regions.

Such regional variations will remain relevant, considering that the trucking sector will continue to affect global trade. To logistics professionals, business proprietors at the mercy of supply chains, or even investors in the transport sector, such insights into the best states for truckers could give a basis for strategic decisions in 2024 and beyond.