Trucking Jobs in Charleston, WV

Charleston's freight market is defined by chemistry and geography. The Kanawha Valley chemical corridor stretching through Charleston and South Charleston has produced chemicals since the early 1900s, and companies like Dow and Covestro continue to operate plants that require tanker trucks for chemical distribution. Drivers with hazmat and tanker endorsements are perpetually in demand here, and the specialized nature of the cargo commands premium pay. West Virginia's terrain is among the most challenging in the eastern U.S. for truck drivers — the state is essentially a series of narrow river valleys separated by steep ridges, and routes that look short on a map take much longer to drive than expected. Toyota's manufacturing plant in nearby Buffalo produces engines and transmissions, adding automotive logistics to the freight mix. The Marcellus Shale natural gas boom has brought water haulers and equipment transporters to the region, partially offsetting the decline in coal hauling. Charleston's very low cost of living compensates for salaries that are lower than national averages in nominal terms.