Profile For Jerry W.

Hi Frank,

I am sort of in the same boat as you and thinking of leaving the IT field after 25 years and going into trucking, but want to hear from others. I am wondering if starting a whole new post will bring in more comments/opinions?

Greetings all,

This is a great starting thread for me. The thread is 6 years old, so we’ll see if it gets any comments. I am turning 50 soon. I have been a software engineer and engineering manager for 25 years. In the early days, I enjoyed it. Writing code was fun, and consistent pay increases and new challenges were rewarding. But, 25 years in and I am burnt out. Burt out on the constant retooling and the need to learn new technologies that never seems to end. Burt out on looking at this screen 10, 12, 14+ hours a day. And with AI about to revolutionize software (and everything else), I just don’t know if I have another revolution in me. And so, I am left to look at the next 15 years of employment. Do I pivot now, or double-down where I’m at?

Why trucking? Both of my grandfathers were commercial drivers. One with Foster Farms and the other a Bus Driver in California. My Dad drove for many local companies, owned a couple dump truck trailers, and was in dispatch. My first job at 15 was in a trucking yard bouncing tires and lubing trailers and doing whatever else, so in a way, trucking feels familiar.

My worry is, can I make a living? Both of my kids are starting college and I am not done (modestly) helping them. I have a mortgage and bills and an expensive fishing habit. I don’t need to be home too often as kids no longer need me within arm’s reach and my girlfriend is OK with me being on the road. I’m not very conventional, and I think I might like the idea of being on the road and seeing some of this big country. I don’t expect to make the same money that I do in software and even if I stay in software, I’ve peeked at earning potential and expect to earn less as I age. I’ve read about some good money in trucking, as well as dismal money. And it is hard to know if the higher end pay is all smoke. For example, I saw an ad for Western Express in my area claiming an entry level driver can make 100k the first year, and then 130k eventually, depending on performance. Does that seem legit? Seems too good to be true?

I think I can handle the rigor of trucking. I think I’d adjust to a new work-life, and a change feels exciting. But when I read average starting pay I get a little shook. I know I need to change careers. I don’t need the same money I make in software, but tell me, what is realistic money these days? Some posts I read about money are either years old and low or seem too good to be true. I have other concerns about trucking – mostly about the grind, the hours, and safety. But I’ll get to those later. If you’ve read this far, thank you. I appreciate any feedback.