GraduateSmart
GraduateSmart
No 4-year degree required — and that's a feature, not a fallback
Skilled trades typically start earning $45-75K straight out of high school with little or no debt. Many trades earn more than the median college grad by age 30. Look for paid apprenticeships (IBEW for electricians, UA for plumbers/pipefitters, local trade unions) — you earn while you learn instead of paying tuition.
$60K/yr
Average Salary
0.5 years
Years of Education
+4%
Job Growth
2235K+
Total Jobs
Transport goods over long distances by operating large motor vehicles. Drive a tractor-trailer combination or other heavy truck and may be required to unload it on arrival. Requires a commercial driver's license.
$42K
Starting
$60K
Average
$79K
Senior
High School Diploma or GED
Foundation requirement for all pathways
Trade / Vocational Program
6–18 months of hands-on technical training
Apprenticeship or License
State licensing exam required for most trade careers
Start your career
Entry-level positions and internships
Exam is FREE with Modern States
Sign up free at modernstates.org, complete the course, and receive a voucher that covers the full $97 exam fee.
modernstates.orgCLEP College Composition Modular
3 credits · English & Writing
$1,703
saved
CLEP Spanish Language — Level 2
9 credits · World Languages
$5,303
saved
CLEP Spanish with Writing — Level 1
6 credits · World Languages
$3,503
saved
CLEP Spanish with Writing — Level 2
12 credits · World Languages
$7,103
saved
This role has state-specific licensing. Sign up free to see the right license for your state.
CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
Required to practiceState Department of Motor Vehicles (varies by state)
Field
Aviation & Transportation
Required Degree
Certificate
Time in School
0.5 years
Job Demand
10-Year Job Growth
+4%
Build a personalized Roadmap Plan with CLEP savings and school matches.
Create free account →Federal labor-market data for Truck Driver (CDL)
Pay range
$42K–$79K
10th–90th percentile
Job growth
+4%
projected 2024–2034
Number of jobs
2.2M
in 2024
Slower than average
Below-average demand growth expected. Projected to grow from 2.2M to 2.3M jobs by 2034.
Typical duties
Read the full duties, work environment, and education requirements on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Open BLS page →
Direct match Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (53-3032). Median $57,440.