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The trucking industry in the US has many options you can take advantage of.
If you live in Kansas and want to become a truck driver here, read on for more info on how to start your career.
Article Table of Contents
Choosing a school
Before you can get hired for a company, you will need to complete a training program.
Kansas offers 15 schools with trucking programs, from which 9 also provides postgraduate degrees.
If you are wondering about tuition costs, you should know they are pretty low in Kansas compared to the rest of the US.
Furthermore, some schools offer scholarships for students who excel.
For example, equipment dealer Lang Diesel Inc provides a sign-on bonus and scholarships.
The only condition is to be employed by them for 2 years after you graduate.
Trucking school comparison
Before choosing the school you will train at, you should know what each of them provides in terms of certification.
You should also choose between a diesel technology program, which is usually longer, and a truck driving program.
Truck driving programs are much shorter and can be finished in one month or even less.
If you enroll in a diesel technology course, you may want to look into getting an ASE Certification.
Salina Tech’s diesel technology course will teach you everything you need to know to get your ASE Certification.
The school’s program, as well as the instructors, are ASE Certified.
If you opt for a truck driving program, you will have to ensure the one you are in offers the type of license you need.
The Class A license is the most common type, and most schools offer programs for it.
If you are wondering about schools, you should know that the program at Johnson County Community College lasts for 5 weeks.
The program covers 160 hours of training that will prepare you to pass the Class A test.
Another school worth looking into is Fort Scott Community College.
This school also provides training for the Class A test, which will help you get licensed.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Apex CDL Institute | 9620 Lexington Ave, De Soto, KS 66018 |
| Fort Scott Community College Truck Driving Program | 2108 S Horton, Fort Scott, KS 66701 |
| Fort Scott Community College | 501 South Hospital Drive, Paola, KS 66071 |
| K C K Community College Truck Driving School | 7250 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66112 |
| Metropolitan Community College | 3200 Broadway, Kansas City, KS 64111 |
| North Central Kansas Technical College | 3033 US Hwy 24, Beloit, KS 67420 |
| Safe Horizons CDL Training | 3136 Dickens Ave, Manhattan, KS 66503 |
| Safe Horizons CDL Training - Sabetha | 1106 S Old Hwy 75, Sabetha, KS 66534 |
| Southwest Kansas Technical School | 2215 Road N, Liberal, Kansas 67901, USA |
| Whiteline CDL Training | 3907 SW Burlingame Rd, Topeka, KS 66609, USA |
| Wichita Truck Driving School | 1359 S Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211 |
Trucking Career Opportunities in Kansas
The next step after getting licensed is getting employed with a trucking company.
In this state, the most important companies include MCT Transportation LLC, C.R. England, Estenson Logistics, and TMC Transportation.
Furthermore, diesel technology jobs are expected to increase by 11% in the next 10 years, according to O*Net.
Truck driving jobs will also see a 13% increase, as reported by the same source.
In Kansas, a truck driver earns on average about $41,970 per year, but those in the top 10% earn about $48,640 per year.
The median salary across the country for these drivers is $44,225 a year and those in the top 10% make around $51,254 per year.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wichita | $42,589 |
| Overland Park | $43,283 |
| Kansas City | $43,416 |
| Topeka | $41,346 |
| Olathe | $43,165 |
| Lawrence | $42,013 |
| Shawnee | $43,283 |
| Manhattan | $40,904 |
| Lenexa | $43,283 |
| Salina | $42,147 |
Regional Salary in Kansas
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence, KS | 390 | $46,110 | $22.17 | $62,110 | $31,470 |
| Manhattan, KS | 380 | $45,050 | $21.66 | $57,000 | $36,180 |
| Topeka, KS | 1,340 | $47,890 | $23.02 | $66,300 | $31,850 |
| Wichita, KS | 3,630 | $49,220 | $23.66 | $67,360 | $32,820 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Conclusion
As you may notice from the info above, trucking jobs in Kansas have a good outlook.
If you improve your skills and pass the license exams, you can be sure to enjoy a fulfilling career in the industry.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State