Truckers Don’t Have to Worry About Work or Wealth in Washington – There’s Plenty of Both
There’s little left to be desired if truckers want to pursue opportunities in Washington. The state has plenty of economic resources to start truckers on the right path. Plus, there’s no personal income tax.
Washington is home to over 5.9 million people, and the workforce numbered about 3.1 million in 2000.3 The state is home to mega Internet company, Amazon.com, and also to one of the world’s richest people, Bill Gates— proving that work and wealth are abundant.
Advocacy
Washington Trucking Associations (WTA) promotes a favorable and profitable operating climate for trucking businesses. WTA relies on the power of its membership to support beneficial trucking industry legislation.
Some member services, events, and programs under the association include:
- Safety Programs
- Drug & Alcohol Testing
- Driving Competitions
- Awards, and
- Conferences
Safety
The WTA's Safety Management Council focuses primarily on promoting highway safety among Washington motorists and the trucking community.
Other focus areas are:
- Pre-Audit Inspections
- Safety Seminars, and
- An Accident Prevention Plan
Economic Freight
Trucks in Washington move about $42 million of freight on roadways every hour of every day. 64% of Washington freight is transported by truck, making trucks critical to the state’s economic competitiveness.
Washington markets more apples than any other state. It is also a major producer of pears, vegetable seeds, berries, flower bulbs, winter wheat, cranberries, and wine grapes. The state is one of the country’s largest wine producers.
Washington truck drivers primarily transport:
- Aircraft
- Soya beans
- Wheat
- Petroleum oils
- Corn
- Frozen potatoes, and
- Fresh apples
Work and Wages
There are more than nine million jobs in the American trucking industry.7 Washington claims about 3,148 total local truck driver jobs, ensuring plenty of work for drivers.
Truckers in Washington earn an average annual salary of $57,281— about ten thousand dollars higher than the reported May 2020 median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers.
Access
Washington has roughly 167,632 total lane miles and over 7,000 highway miles.It is the entry point for most trucked freight from Alaska.11 The state is bordered by Canada, Idaho, Oregon, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. It also has 30 total ports, increasing the economic drive for its exports.
Some major routes and interstates for truck drivers include:
- I-5 from Oregon state line to Canada
- I-82 from Ellensburg to Oregon
- I-90 between Seattle and Idaho
