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A career in the trucking industry in North Carolina can be the right choice for someone who enjoys being on the road.
In this article, we have brought some info to help you learn more about the field.
Article Table of Contents
North Carolina Trucking Schools
To become a commercial truck driver, you will first need to enroll in a training school.
This will help you get a license and start your career.
Choosing a school is personal, and the state has plenty of trucking schools available.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center | P. O. Box 883, Arden, NC 28704 |
| Alliance Tractor Trailer Training Center | West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731 |
| Beaufort County Community College | 5337 US Hwy 264 East, Washington, NC 27889 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | 2855 Hickory Blvd, Hudson, NC 28638 |
| Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute | 372 Community College Drive, Boone, NC 28607 |
| Cape Fear Community College | 411 N Front St, Wilmington, NC 28401 |
| Cape Fear Community College | 4500 Blue Clay Road, Castle Hayne, NC 28429 |
| Cape Fear Community College | 100 East Industrial Drive, Burgaw, NC 28425 |
| Carolina Trucking Academy | 3720 S Wilmington St., Raleigh , NC 27603 |
| Catawba Valley Community College | 2550 US Highway 70 Southeast, Hickory, NC 28602 |
| Carolina Driving Institute | 130 Clark Rd., Linwood, NC 27299 |
| Carolina Driving Institute | 5200 Spector Dr., Charlotte, NC 28269 |
| Charlotte Truck Driver Training School | 4830 Hovis Rd., Charlotte, NC 28208 |
| Cross Country Truck Driving School | 250 Industrial Park Dr., Thomasville, NC 27360 |
| Cypress Truck Driving School | 9460 Ploof Rd., Leland , NC 28451 |
| Davidson County Community College - Davie Campus | 1205 Salisbury Road, Mocksville, NC 27028 |
| Future Truckers of America | 1095 W Dixie Dr Ste A, Asheboro, NC 27203 |
| Future Truckers of America | 1821 U.S. Hwy 421, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 |
| Future Truckers of America | 2701 University Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27105 |
| Johnston Community College | 245 College Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577 |
| Lumberton Truck Driving Academy | 2600 E 5th St, Lumberton, NC 28358, USA |
| Miller-Motte Technical College – Fayetteville, NC | 3725 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28311 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College – Greenville, NC | 1021 W.H. Smith Blvd Suite 102, Greenville, NC 27834 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College – Jacksonville, NC | 1291 A Hargett St., Jacksonville, NC 28540 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College – Raleigh, NC | 3901 Capital Boulevard Suite 151, Raleigh, NC 27604 |
| Miller-Motte Technical College – Wilmington, NC | 5000 Market Place Drive, Wilmington, NC 28405, USA |
| Regency Job Training Institute | 1149 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake, NC 28390 |
| Regency Truck Driving Academy | 109 Green St Suite 306, Fayetteville, NC 28301 |
| Roadmaster Drivers – Dunn, NC | 1111 South Clinton Avenue, Dunn, NC 28335 |
| SAGE – Nash Community College | 522 N Old Carriage Rd., Rocky Mount, NC 27573 |
| Sampson Community College | 1801 Sunset Ave Hwy 24 W, Clinton, NC 28328 |
| Trans Tech – Charlotte Diesel Driving School | 4424 Wilkinson Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28208 |
| Trans Tech – Hickory Regional Driving School | 1261 US Hwy 70, Newton, NC 28658 |
| Trans Tech | 2942 Old Steele Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28208 |
| Trans Tech | 1616 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806 |
| Trans Tech | 5077 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher, NC 28732 |
| Vance-Granville Community College | 200 Community College Road, Henderson, NC 27536 |
If you are worried about the schooling costs, opt for one that offers scholarships.
This gives you the chance to get all your tuition expenses covered.
One way to look into this is by contacting The North Carolina Trucking Association Foundation Scholarship.
This school provides scholarships for students who attend a 2-year and 4-year diesel technology programs.
Choosing the Right School
When it comes to getting a license, you should know that diesel technology programs are generally more lengthy than trucking programs.
As a future truck driver, you can expect to finish a course in less than months.
However, if you want to work as a diesel mechanic, you will need to take a 2 to a 4-year program.
Another aspect to look into is the class size.
Small class size allows you more personalized training with your instructor, as well as extra driving hours.
This can help you retain information better and be more prepared for your exam.
Beaufort County Community College, Trans Tech, and Future Truckers of America are some of the schools worth considering.
Our of these, U.S. Truck Driving School provides a 160-hour course which allows you to get a Class A license at the end.
Wake Technical Community College offers a diesel technology course with a duration of 1 to 2 years and an Associates’ degree.
Trucker Salaries in North Carolina
As a beginner trucker, you may not earn as much as the experienced drivers.
However, the median salary in North Carolina for truck drivers is around $42,540 per year.
The best-paid truckers earn on average $48,981 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | $43,404 |
| Raleigh | $42,509 |
| Greensboro | $42,345 |
| Durham | $42,274 |
| Winston-Salem | $42,447 |
| Fayetteville | $40,657 |
| Cary | $42,509 |
| Wilmington | $40,414 |
| High Point | $42,598 |
| Concord | $42,540 |
Regional Salary in North Carolina
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville, NC | 2,140 | $52,120 | $25.06 | $68,480 | $36,840 |
| Burlington, NC | 850 | $50,800 | $24.43 | $73,180 | $32,000 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | 19,420 | $55,190 | $26.54 | $73,890 | $39,260 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | 2,130 | $54,420 | $26.17 | $74,480 | $37,370 |
| Fayetteville, NC | 1,550 | $48,120 | $23.13 | $61,670 | $36,600 |
| Goldsboro, NC | 540 | $46,630 | $22.42 | $58,600 | $37,190 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | 6,320 | $54,480 | $26.19 | $75,130 | $37,230 |
| Greenville, NC | 550 | $48,490 | $23.31 | $62,450 | $36,010 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | 3,540 | $55,420 | $26.64 | $73,330 | $38,190 |
| Jacksonville, NC | 370 | $42,930 | $20.64 | $58,210 | $30,980 |
| New Bern, NC | 360 | $44,780 | $21.53 | $60,740 | $34,180 |
| Raleigh, NC | 7,030 | $54,020 | $25.97 | $75,580 | $38,430 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | 980 | $54,190 | $26.05 | $80,320 | $37,090 |
| Wilmington, NC | 1,580 | $50,510 | $24.29 | $65,500 | $36,800 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | 4,120 | $52,580 | $25.28 | $69,490 | $36,700 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Places like trucking companies, trucking leasing centers, and repair shops often offer job opportunities.
You should also consider a program which secures you a job with the same company upon finishing.
C.R. England, MCT Transportation LLC, and Gypsum Express Ltd are a few of the trucking companies you can apply to.
Overall, the job outlook for truck drivers in this state is positive.
According to a report by .O*Net, diesel technology jobs will see an increase of 6% within the following 10 year period.
Truck driving jobs will also experience a 4% increase.
Conclusion
Getting a stable job will also depend on your training and specialization, so make sure you study hard for your new career.
Although diesel programs last longer, an associate’s degree could help you get a better payment after getting hired.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State