The truck driver shortage is intensifying, and people are doing the math. CDL training costs $3K-$7K and takes 3-7 weeks. First-year OTR drivers earn $55K-$75K. That's a payback period of under 2 months. Google search interest in 'CDL training ROI' and related queries is climbing steadily, driven by layoffs in white-collar tech jobs and increasing awareness of trade careers. This is a skills-as-investment play with very strong fundamentals.