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Illinois is a great place to start a truck driving career due to its location, in the Midwest.
The industry is flourishing regarding whether you live in a large city like Chicago or a more rural area of the state.
Before you start, you need to learn more about what this job entails.
Article Table of Contents
Job prospects in Illinois
According to O*Net, truck driving jobs will grow by 13% from 2012 to 2022.
This means you will get a higher chance to get hired.
Of course, this also depends on the routes you are willing to take and the type of job you want.
Median salaries
Generally, Illinois offers higher wages compared to the rest of the country.
The median salary here is around $45,419 per year, while the top 10% of drivers make about $52,637 annually.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $46,879 |
| Aurora | $46,464 |
| Naperville | $45,930 |
| Joliet | $45,552 |
| Rockford | $43,778 |
| Springfield | $40,819 |
| Elgin | $46,124 |
| Peoria | $42,717 |
| Champaign | $41,545 |
| Waukegan | $44,210 |
Regional Salary in Illinois
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 1,260 | $55,090 | $26.48 | $70,200 | $34,760 |
| Carbondale-Marion, IL | 530 | $49,890 | $23.98 | $75,450 | $31,100 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 970 | $49,920 | $24 | $65,720 | $34,330 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 60,630 | $58,210 | $27.99 | $81,990 | $36,100 |
| Danville, IL | 590 | $58,680 | $28.21 | $97,700 | $35,890 |
| Decatur, IL | 730 | $53,810 | $25.87 | $73,490 | $28,810 |
| Kankakee, IL | 870 | $47,000 | $22.6 | $62,600 | $24,960 |
| Peoria, IL | 1,660 | $51,110 | $24.57 | $73,660 | $33,080 |
| Rockford, IL | 1,810 | $54,620 | $26.26 | $81,670 | $35,480 |
| Springfield, IL | 860 | $50,390 | $24.23 | $71,300 | $33,650 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
If you are a graduate, you can easily find employment with a bigger or smaller company.
Some of these include Vision Transportation, C.R. England, Cardinal Transport, and United Transport Service.
Getting certified
Just like any other state, Illinois has its own requirements for certification.
Before receiving your license, you need to enroll in a training program.
Many programs don’t last for long, but you do need to have at least 160 hours of training over a period of one month.
These hours include classroom education, driving lessons on-site and on the road.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Academia Truck Driving School | 2249 W 47th Place, Chicago, IL 60609 |
| Advantage Driver Training LLC. | 200 McDonald Ave, Joliet, Illinois 60431, USA |
| Alamo Truck Driving School | 5264 W 47th St, Chicago, IL 60638 |
| ATS Truck Driving School | 1205 Carl Ct Ste 111, Wauconda, IL 60084 |
| Black Hawk College Truck Driving Certificate | 1501 State Hwy 78, Kewanee, IL 61443 |
| Blue Horizon Truck Driving School | 6814 W. Archer, Chicago, IL 60638 |
| Bulldog Driving School | 7711 W Belmont, Elmwood Park, IL 60707 |
| C.R. England | 17201 State Street, South Holland, IL 60473 |
| CDL Mega Driving School | 3320-80 N. River Road, Franklin Park, IL 60131 |
| CDL Training Service & Consulting – Corporate Office | 3600 Nameoki Rd. Ste 200, Granite City, IL 62040 |
| Chavez Truck Driving School | 9016 47th St # E, Brookfield, IL 60513 |
| College of DuPage Truck Driving School | 301 S. Swift Road #6, Addison, IL 60101 |
| Columbia Driving School | 5028 S. Archer Ave., Chicago, IL 60632 |
| Compass Truck Driving School | 15W580 N Frontage Rd., Burr Ridge, IL 60527 |
After finishing your program, you can apply to get a certification.
Illinois also provides third-party certification through the Driver Services Department.
However, you can also get your license from your school or employer.
In order to get licensed, you also need to pass an exam.
The exam is split into 2 sections, from which part is theory and the other is practice-based.
The written exam covers driving laws and other information which you learned during your course.
In the practical exam, you will have to prove your driving skills, have your vehicle checked and show you can drive safely on the road.
Finding employment
As a truck driver, it is important to have a network.
The most important organization in Illinois is the Illinois Trucking Association, which will assist you in becoming a skillful trucker.
Furthermore, this association also provides training and safety programs.
You should also consider attending industry events.
These will help you connect with people, learn more about the changes taking place in the industry, as well as find job opportunities.
The events in this state are regional meetings, safety council meetings, and legislative meetings.
Conclusion
Becoming a truck driver can be challenging but also provide you with many opportunities.
Once you develop your skill set by attending a program, you will be able to start a successful career in the industry.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State