Trucking Careers After Training
Southwest Truck Driver Training Gets Graduates Hired
Earning a CDL is the goal. Getting a good job with it is the point.
Southwest Truck Driver Training has spent more than 25 years building relationships with the companies that hire drivers. Local, regional, Over-the-Road, and everything in between. When a student graduates, those connections go to work for them.
Lifetime Job Placement Assistance
Southwest does not hand graduates a diploma and wish them luck. Every graduate has access to lifetime job placement assistance. This isn’t just offered at graduation, but any time throughout their career whenever they need it.
That means whether a graduate is looking for their first driving job or making a change five years down the road, SWTDT’s job placement team is still in their corner. That is what it means to stand by our students.
Independent. That Matters.
Southwest Truck Driver Training is not owned by a trucking company. That distinction is important.
Many CDL schools are affiliated with carriers. Those schools often steer graduates toward one employer, their employer. We work differently. Graduates choose where they want to work. The school supports that decision, not the other way around. No pressure, no obligation to any specific career. Our career service team’s goal is to place you in the job that best suits your goals for the industry.
This independence means Southwest has built honest long-running professional relationships with a wide network of employers, because those employers know we send them qualified, road-ready drivers.
Strong Industry Connections
Here at Southwest, we work with recruiters and hiring managers at local, regional, and national transportation companies across Arizona and beyond. Those relationships open doors that graduates cannot always open on their own.
Some of those carrier partners include companies like Werner and Schneider, national carriers that actively recruit our graduates and offer competitive pay, and a variety of routes across the United States. Partners like this come to Southwest because they trust the training. It’s also important to us here at Southwest that our graduates are prepared for everything, that’s why we train on the same size and type of industry standard equipment that these companies will place you in.
As a graduate, that trust transfers to the job search.
The Types of Jobs SWTDT Can Help Graduates Find
Not every driver wants the same career. Our job placement assistance covers the full range of driving positions, so graduates can find work that fits their life.
Over-the-Road (OTR)
Over-the-Road (OTR) drivers move freight across the continental United States, sometimes into Canada. The routes involve time away from home, often two to four weeks at a time, but the pay reflects that commitment. These drivers are among the highest-earning entry-level drivers in the industry. Companies typically pay by the mile, and additional endorsements can increase earning potential further.
Regional
Regional positions cover a specific part of the country without the long cross-country hauls of OTR. Drivers are typically home more often. Some carriers offer regional routes to new graduates right out of school. The pay and benefits are comparable to OTR, with more predictable home time.
Dedicated
Dedicated drivers run the same route repeatedly for one customer or contract. These positions typically bring drivers every few days. They are competitive, and many experienced drivers prefer them, but Southwest has relationships with carriers that offer dedicated work to graduates who qualify.
Local
Local positions keep drivers home every night. These jobs often involve more than driving — loading, unloading, or delivery duties are common. They are a strong fit for drivers who want stability and regular hours. A Class A CDL or Class B CDL can qualify drivers for local work depending on the type of freight and vehicle.
Beyond Driving: CDL Careers Go Further Than the Road
A CDL from Southwest Truck Driver Training can open doors that go beyond the driver seat.
One 2023 graduate, Narmin Hanna, started her career driving for Werner. Within a year, she was promoted to Werner’s Safety Department. Her story is one example of how a CDL can be a starting point for a long-term career in transportation, in operations, safety, dispatch, fleet management, and more.
SWTDT trains drivers. But the careers graduates build with that training are limited only by how far they want to go.
What Graduates Earn
Trucking pays. How much depends on the type of driving, endorsements, and the carrier. Here is what graduates can expect in Arizona based on current market data:
- Class A CDL drivers in Arizona earn an average of around $74,000 per year, with top earners reaching $93,000 or more
- OTR drivers in the Phoenix area average around $81,000 per year, reflecting the premium that comes with long-haul commitment
- HazMat endorsement holders earn an average of approximately $58,000 to $62,000 per year in Arizona, with experienced drivers reaching $90,000 or more
- Owner-operators with experience can earn well above $100,000 per year
These figures reflect a drivers possibilities. Many of Southwest’s carrier partners also offer bonuses for signing on, safety, mileage drive, and tuition reimbursement for recent graduates. All of this can meaningfully increase total compensation.
What Employers Say About SWTDT Graduates
Employers keep coming back to recruit from Southwest because they know what the training looks like. Students train on a late-model fleet of professional-grade equipment, the same type of vehicles they will drive on the job. Instructors have real industry experience. The school meets all federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements.
When an employer sees “Southwest Truck Driver Training” on a resume, they know that graduate is prepared.
How Career Services Works
SWTDT’s job placement team does the work alongside graduates. That includes:
- Connecting graduates directly with recruiters at hiring companies
- Helping graduates understand the types of positions available and what fits their goals
- Providing support for graduates making a career change later on, not just at graduation
- Offering guidance on endorsements that can improve job prospects and pay
Graduates never navigate the hiring process alone.
Frequently Asked Questions About CDL Careers
Is truck driving a stable career in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona’s economy depends heavily on freight movement, and the demand for qualified CDL drivers in the state remains strong. The trucking industry nationally continues to face a shortage of drivers, which keeps wages competitive and job availability high for qualified graduates. Entry-level drivers with a Class A CDL have access to a wide range of positions across local, regional, and national carriers operating in the Southwest.
Do I have to work for a specific trucking company after I graduate?
No. Southwest Truck Driver Training is an independent school, not affiliated with any carrier. Graduates choose where they want to work. The job placement team supports that decision and does not push anyone toward a specific employer. That independence is one of the things that sets Southwest apart from many other CDL schools.
Do I need experience to get hired as a truck driver?
No. Many carriers actively hire graduates with a new CDL and no driving experience. Entry-level positions in OTR, regional, and dedicated trucking are designed for new drivers. Some local positions prefer a year of experience, but that is not universal. SWTDT’s job placement team knows which carriers hire new graduates and connects students with those opportunities directly.
How long does it take to get a job after finishing the program?
Many graduates begin the hiring process before they even complete training. Southwest’s relationships with carrier recruiters mean that job conversations can start early. The timeline varies by the type of position a graduate is looking for, but the job placement team works to help graduates move into a role as quickly as possible.
What kinds of trucking jobs can I get after completing CDL training?
Graduates can pursue a range of positions depending on their goals and lifestyle. Over-the-Road (OTR) driving offers the highest pay but involves extended time on the road. Regional and dedicated routes bring more predictable schedules and regular home time. Local positions keep drivers home every night. The right fit depends on what matters most to the driver, and the job placement team helps graduates figure that out.
Do trucking companies pay for CDL training?
Many do. A number of Southwest’s carrier partners offer tuition reimbursement for recent graduates as part of their hiring packages. This means that many truck driving students get paid back for their training by the carrier.
Ready to Start?
A career in trucking starts with the right training and the right school behind the graduate when it matters.
Southwest Truck Driver Training has been placing Arizona drivers into careers since 1999. The industry connections, the job placement team, and the lifetime support are all part of what students get when they enroll.
Talk to our team today to learn more about programs, job placement, and what life looks like after graduation.