The most vital part of the overall USA economy are undoubtedly the truck drivers.
Therefore, the truck drivers, including the HAZMAT truck drivers, are responsible for the transportation process of large quantities of goods; do not forget that they are performing the transportation process time-efficiently and safely.
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But, how do they achieve to do so?
Well, speaking of that we must not forget all the effort that truck drivers, especially the hazmat truck drivers, had to put in order to achieve these satisfying results. All of them have undergone numerous specialized training. During the training, they had to show their persistence and determination to become hazmat truck drivers.
It is not simple as that, the wish by itself is not enough. If you want to become a hazmat truck driver and earn a lot of money, then you will have to give your best.
At this point you must be asking yourself, how much does a HAZMAT truck driver make?
In fact, the answer to that question is not that simple; it cannot be answered only with few numbers. How much does a HAZMAT truck driver make, is a complex question because of the categorizations of hazardous materials that truck drivers are driving.
Furthermore, in this article, you will have the chance to read a detailed overview of how much does a HAZMAT truck driver make.
Let’s take a look!
First Of All: What Are Hazardous Materials and How Do They Effect on HAZMAT Truck Driver’s Salary?
We are well aware of the fact that HAZMAT truck drivers are transporting hazardous materials, but what are hazardous materials more precisely?
The definition of hazardous materials would be the following one: all those products that are posing risk to safety, health as well as property during transportation can be considered as hazardous materials. These materials are considered hazardous because they can cause injury or even death on a simple contact.
Moreover, what have shippers figured out as a perfect solution for the process of hazardous material transportation?
It goes like this, they are putting labels on each package, also they are putting diamond- shapes hazard warning labels on the tankers.
Whereas, if the diamond-shaped hazard is not fitting on the container, the transportation company is putting it on the label on the tag.
HAZARD Class Definitions
| 1. | Explosives | Ammunition, Fireworks, Dynamite; |
| 2. | Gases | Propane, Oxygen, Helium; |
| 3. | Flammable Liquids | Gasoline, Acetone, Fuel; |
| 4. | Flammable Solids | Fuses, Matches; |
| 5. | Oxidizers | Hydrogen Peroxide, Ammonium; |
| 6. | Poisons | Arsenic, Pesticides; |
| 7. | Radioactive | Plutonium, Uranium; |
| 8. | Corrosives | Battery Acid, Hydroelectric Acid; |
| 9. | Miscellaneous | Asbestos, Formaldehyde; |
Does Having a HAZMAT Endorsement Means Making More Money?
HAZMAT truck drivers must comply with the rules and regulations that the following federal agencies have set about the transportation and disposal of hazardous materials:
- The Department of Transportation (DOT);
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA);
- The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA);
But, before I start explaining in details about all the rules and regulations that truck drivers have to follow in order to transport hazardous materials in a safe manner, I will first turn your attention towards the hazardous material endorsement and its interference in the HAZMAT truck driver’s salary.
So far, it must be clear to you that in order for a truck driver to become a hazardous truck driver first he must obtain a hazardous material endorsement.
What do you think, does a HAZMAT truck driver who has obtained hazardous material endorsement is making more money than conventional truck drivers are? Let’s see…
The transportation of hazardous materials causes highway safety issues. But on the other hand, HAZMAT truck drivers do make more money. On the other hand, you shall remember that not all HAZMAT truck drivers are getting the same salary. That is so because different hazardous materials have different transportation price.
Still, let’s get back to hazardous material endorsements.
What Kind Of HAZMAT Endorsements Are Available For Class 8 Truck Drivers
There are numerous (HAZMAT) hazardous material endorsements as far as licensing is concerned. The HAZMAT endorsements that are available for CLASS A CDL driver’s license are the following ones:
- H– For Transporting Placarded Hazardous Materials;
- N-For Tankers Designed To Transport 119 Gallons or More of HAZARDOUS Liquid or Oil;
- X-A Combination of Hazardous Materials and Tank Endorsements;
Yet, the type of HAZMAT endorsement that a truck driver obtains, will affect in a great measure to the amount of money he is going to take for the transportation of those hazardous materials.
Why HAZMAT Truck Drivers Make More Money Than Conventional Truck Drivers Are?
Moreover, HAZMAT truck drivers make more money than conventional truck drivers as a result of their more complex duties and responsibilities. That is why the interest in obtaining hazardous endorsements has increased among the truck drivers who are part of the trucking industry in the USA.
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Later on, as I mentioned before, hazardous materials are defined as substances that are harmful as well as poisonous. What is in common between conventional truck driver and HAZMAT truck drivers is the fact that they have to comply with all DOT regulations.
HAZMAT truck drivers make more money than conventional truck drivers are because of the following duties that they must fulfill:
- Examining the truck before the transportation process (all systems of the truck shall be working properly);
- Performing verification of specified and labeled hazmat shipment;
- To bring with them all the needed permits for each type of hazmat freight;
- Keeping touch with dispatcher, whereas taking care to perform a safe transportation (without any leaks of the hazmat materials);
- Also, bills of lading are a “must”;
- Performing minor emergency roadside repairs;
- Keeping their trucks equipped with safety gear (fire extinguishers, gas masks, emergency kits);
On first sight, the duties of conventional truck drivers and HAZMAT truck drivers might seem the same, but still, there is a big difference- HAZMAT truck drivers are transporting hazardous and dangerous materials.
