- Hugh Rowland, one of the drivers featured on the television show "Ice Road Truckers," says that he and the drivers that work for him can earn approximately $250,000 for a driving season that can last only two months. These results may not be typical for all ice road truckers as compensation will vary depending on experience, number of loads carried and the company that a trucker works for.
- The median salary for all truckers in the U.S. in 2008 was $17.92 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The highest 10 percent earned more than $27.07 per hour, while the lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.63 per hour. The BLS states that many long-haul truck drivers are paid by the mile, while local drivers are typically paid by the hour. Some drivers, especially those who are owner-operators, may also earn a share of the income derived from the goods delivered.
- Truck drivers will need to have the proper commercial driver’s license, as required by the local state or province the driver is working in. In addition, companies such as Carlile Transportation Systems, the company often featured on "Ice Road Truckers," require a minimum of two years' verifiable tractor-trailer driving experience and proven ability to operate a vehicle in harsh conditions.
- During winter in the Arctic region, it can be dark for most of the day with extreme driving conditions and low temperatures of minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Ice fog, whiteouts, high winds and slippery roads are common occurrences on the ice roads. "Alaska Business Monthly" refers to one of the ice roads featured in the television show, the Haul Road, as the most dangerous road in the United States.
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