# The People Business: Keep on Truckin’ & Earning A Good Income

By Business Services · Published 2025-04-28 · Updated 2026-03-26 · Transportation on MarketScale
Canonical: https://www.marketscale.com/industries/transportation/the-people-business-keep-on-truckin-earning-a-good-income

> Professional drivers can build stable, lucrative careers in an industry facing a persistent shortage of qualified talent

## Key points

- Professional drivers can build stable, lucrative careers in an industry facing a persistent shortage of qualified talent

Block Field

In this Career Paths episode of

[*The AppleOne Podcast*](https://marketscale.com/shows/actone-group/)

, host

[**Brett Howroyd**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-howroyd-961792286/)

explores the essential—and often underestimated—world of trucking with two guests who know it well:

[**Chip Stewart**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-stewart-79562793/)

, VP of Service Operations at

**Select Transportation Resources**

in Houston, and

[**Jill Apperson**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-apperson-appleonestaffing/)

, Area Manager at

**AppleOne**

in North Carolina.

Together, they break down why trucking remains one of the most recession-proof industries in the U.S., [contributing $940 billion to the economy and employing over 8 million people](https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/58057-despite-freight-rate-recession-trucking-industry-revenue-and-tonnage-grew-in-2022?utm_source=chatgpt.com). They also shine a light on the [LEAD ATA program](https://www.trucking.org/lead-ata), which develops future industry leaders and tackles the growing technician shortage—an issue that's already impacting operations across the country.

> Chip shares how today's technicians are more like tech specialists with some earning over $200K annually thanks to performance-based pay.

Chip shares how today's technicians are more like tech specialists with some earning over $200K annually thanks to performance-based pay. Jill highlights how staffing pros can connect the right candidates to these stable, well-paying careers—and how influencers are helping reshape the image of trucking for younger audiences.

Whether you're a veteran, career changer, or just starting out, this episode reveals how accessible and rewarding the trucking industry can be—no STEM background required.

> Whether you're a veteran, career changer, or just starting out, this episode reveals how accessible and rewarding the trucking industry can be—no STEM background required.

For more information or to connect about this episode [click here](https://www.appleone.com/Resources/appleone-show-feedback.aspx).

Tags: Brett Howroyd, Chip Stewart, Jill Apperson, LEAD ATA program, The AppleOne Podcast

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