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Those who want to become truck drivers or diesel mechanics in Missouri have many opportunities to find employment.
Article Table of Contents
Schools
Missouri has plenty of schools offering diplomas for these professionals.
Additionally, the acceptance rate is rather high as well.
While the tuition is not high, you can cover about half of it with a scholarship.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| C1 Truck Driver Training | 6395 E State Hwy 00, Springfield, MO 65757 |
| Crowder College Truck Driving | 601 Laclede Ave, Neosho, MO 64850 |
| Grand River Technical School | 1200 Fair Street Chillicothe, MO 64601 |
| Linn State Technical College | 1 Technology Dr., Linn, MO 65051 |
| Metropolitan Community College | 20301 E 78 Hwy, Independence, MO 64057 |
| Midwest Technical Institute | 3600 Glenstone Terrace, Springfield, MO 65804 |
| MTC Truck Driver Training | 12000 Missouri Bottom Rd, Ste C, Hazelwood, MO 63042 |
| MTC Truck Driver Training | 5270 Flat River Rd, Park Hills, MO 63601 |
| Nu-Way Truck Driver Training Centers | 4116 Union Boulevard, St Louis, MO 63115 |
| Ozarks Technical Community College | 1001 E Chestnut Expwy, Springfield, MO 65802 |
| Prime Inc | 2740 N Mayfair, Springfield, MO 65803 |
| South Central Career Center | 407 Thornburgh, West Plains, MO 65775 |
| Southern Missouri Truck Driving School Inc | 1916 East Outer Road N., Scott City, MO 63780 |
| Southern Missouri Truck Driving School Inc | P.O. Box 545, Malden Industrial Park, Malden, MO 63863 |
| State Fair Community College | 3201 W 16th St, Sedalia, MO 65301 |
| TDA Educational Systems | 6410 North Oak Trafficway, Gladstone, MO 64118 |
| Vatterott College | 3850 S. Campbell, Springfield, MO 65807 |
| Westwind CDL Training Center | 1130 Hwy P, Cuba, MO 65453 |
| Witte Bros Exchange Inc | 575 Witte Industrial Ct., Troy, MO 63379 |
If you want to earn a degree in diesel technology, you can have a look at Three Rivers Community College.
Their Green Diesel Technology degree is available at the Center in Dexter, which can save you from a long commute.
Comparing the Truck Driving Schools
When choosing a school or a program, most people consider the duration, almost as much as the cost.
This is usually due to the fact that they want to start their new career as fast as possible.
You should know that truck driving programs are generally shorter than diesel technology.
You can usually learn how to drive the truck in as little as 3 weeks, though some programs last up to 8 weeks.
Generally, getting an Associate’s degree in diesel technology can be done in about 2 years’ time, and you can check out the one offered by Grand River Technical School.
The best truck driving schools will not only help you get your new license but can also help you find a position with a reputable company.
These schools would also make sure you spend as much time behind the wheel as well, allowing you to become more confident in your skills.
They will also have driving programs for all major truck driving license Classes – A, B and C.
One such school is C1 Truck Driver Training, as it in constant contact with trucking companies who always need new driers.
It is, however, possible to find a driving job before graduating, or even before starting your training.
Working in the Trucking Industry in Missouri
The industry involving trucks has many different positions and therefore career paths you can follow.
However, you will have to think about your future occupation before you graduate, or even before enrolling in the training school.
These influence the salary you’ll earn, but on average, truck drivers in Missouri earn $42,147 per year, with the highest salaries reaching $48,845 annually.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas City | $43,416 |
| Saint Louis | $43,544 |
| Springfield | $42,692 |
| Columbia | $43,075 |
| Independence | $43,369 |
| Lee's Summit | $43,251 |
| O'Fallon | $43,190 |
| Saint Joseph | $43,003 |
| Saint Charles | $43,308 |
| Saint Peters | $43,214 |
Regional Salary in Missouri
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 760 | $47,890 | $23.02 | $66,410 | $26,460 |
| Columbia, MO | 880 | $50,160 | $24.11 | $74,550 | $27,920 |
| Jefferson City, MO | 800 | $47,280 | $22.73 | $64,570 | $34,080 |
| Joplin, MO | 3,690 | $50,980 | $24.51 | $62,630 | $37,680 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | 17,960 | $54,580 | $26.24 | $75,270 | $36,100 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | 700 | $52,000 | $25 | $71,800 | $36,870 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | 16,870 | $54,650 | $26.27 | $74,210 | $37,170 |
| Springfield, MO | 6,410 | $54,620 | $26.26 | $65,790 | $36,020 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Most reputable employers are repair shops, leasing companies, and even trucking companies.
Additionally, the demand for truck drivers is expected to increase by 12% while the demand for diesel mechanics is expected to increase just 8%.
Conclusion
Entering the field of trucking, and living your life on the road is relatively easy.
On top of that, you can start working as soon as you graduate, as there is no apprenticeship period involved.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State