Truck Driver Salary: Average Truck Driver Pay Per Mile
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I get a lot of email from truck drivers asking about pay. As soon as they find out I have been trucking for 25+ years, they want to know what is considered good pay, yearly salary, or average pay per mile. So, I decided to break it down into below average pay, average pay, and above average pay. Unfortunately, for a lot of trucking companies, pay hasn’t changed much over the past 25 years. But with many companies, it has. You have to dig deep to find the good jobs. That has always been the case.
In a nutshell, this is how I see it- Pay per mile, and average miles, to me, isn’t the issue. It’s weekly pay, or yearly pay. In other words, how much money do you really make, never mind all the jargon about miles, money and home-time that a lot of companies throw at you.
Some trucking companies will work you hard for low pay, work you hard for good pay, work you easy for low pay, and work you easy for good pay.
In case you are new to my website, I have had over 100 jobs in those 25 years. Of course, only about 20 of them were OTR companies, which, based on my emails is the main type of job drivers are wondering about. So that’s what I’ll get into here. But you can always leave a comment, and I do respond to them all (after I moderate the spam out).
In the late 80’s and early 90’s, most decent trucking companies paid about .32 cents per mile. And in those days, it was easy to run over 3000 miles per week. So, if you do the math, a decent driver working for a decent company should make 45,000+ in those days.
When I see trucking companies these days talking about making $40,000, I cringe. This is 2012. Most of life’s expenses are twice what they were back then. Of course, pay isn’t twice what it was, with any company.
Here’s how I see it in 2012…
Below average truck driver pay- anything under .40 cents per mile, or $40,000 per year.
Average truck driver pay- about .40 to .45 cents per mile, or $50,000 to $60,000 per year.
Above average truck driver pay- close to .50 cents per mile, and over $60,000 per year.
Of course, what you haul matters. Flatbed, step-deck and heavy-haul drivers add a little to that pay scale. (Or, a lot in some cases.)
There are thousands of truck drivers out there making $70k+. (Especially owner operators- most of them should be doing at least $100,000.)
If you have at least one year of recent, OTR experience, you should be able to find a job where you can make at least $60,000 per year. That’s the bottom line as I see it.
I saw an ad the other day, for a heavy-haul company driver that only paid .40 cents per mile! Is any experienced heavy haul driver really going to take that job? I wouldn’t think so, but apparently some do.
These figures vary a little according to the US government, but all the numbers I gave above are based on reality, from a drivers perspective, according to the real world.
What do you know about prime?
I don’t have any personal experience with Prime, but most of the drivers I met over the years were not happy- but a few were. The only thing I can say is- do some research. You don’t want to sign up for their lease-purchase plan. And if you are a trainee, get ready for a long training period, and a very slow truck.
The bottom line is always this- ask a lot of questions before you commit, and make sure this is what you want.
Check out some of these stories…
http://www.ripoffreport.com/r/NEW-PRIME-INC/Springfield-Missouri-65803/NEW-PRIME-INC-Scam-Fraud-Lies-Enslavement-Springfield-Missouri-582936
Good luck!
I was going to go with prime because they pay for the schooling and with me being a vet, id only have to stay with them for 9 months to fulfill the commitment. I’ve always thought about driving truck. i just can’t afford to pay for a school out of pocket. they said their program is 8-10 weeks and after the 10th week, id be making .42 a mile. i just don’t want to make a bad choice
That sounds a little fishy- too good to be true. I have a hard time believing they are going to pay you 42 cents a mile after only 8-10 weeks. If that is really true it’s not a bad deal- ask again, and make it very clear. Nobody else is doing that. Most other companies that pay for training make you work for half pay for a year or even two. That’s not “team pay” which is split between two drivers is it?
No.. I’ve been asking them questions like crazy because I’m skeptical myself. the miles would be individual miles. id work for them for a year to work off the school. but, being a military vet they reduce it to 9 months
Hi Ken, after a well long, lengthy, research of cdl training companies.I have decided to go with Con Way freight in Birmingham, Al. They have you work on the docks while you train for your cdl, at $14 for 12 weeks, then after that when you get your license I think its like $19.38. Sounds pretty good because of low turn over rates to me.But my question is, since I’m sure you’ve heard of them, and have more insight, what’s your opinion?
Hey Ken, thanks for the info here. Love it!
I’m about to graduate from a driving school. (community college, scholorship). I’m leaning toward schnieder at the moment to go to work for. (have to get that first year experience somewhere, right?). I have one question I can’t seem to find an answer for.
I live in the east. But I want to move to out west. (friends and family there). You wouldn’t happen to know schnieders policy about transfering to a different region? Will they force me to stay near my original hire area?
The admin. for the driver program I’m in has told me not to ask the schnieder recruiter about this. She told me to just get hired then after orientation/training to ask about getting transferred to a different state. However, it’s also been stated that schnieder gives her “incentives” for students going to schnieder. Which makes me question her motives.
I’m looking forward to a great driving career. But, getting back near my family is my hIghest priority. Any advice on this would be appreciated.
I’ll take any other general advice you feel like giving a student driver as well. š
Hi Westbound,
Don’t ever be afraid to ask a recruiter anything. They get questions all day every day- it’s what they do. But I’m certain that Schneider doesn’t care where you live. They have a huge network and will keep you busy wherever that is. Schneider is a fine company for your first year. Go for it. And don’t worry one bit about moving west. They have runs all over.
That’s great to hear. Thanks a bunch. š
Hey Ken,
I’ve got a dilemma & I’d like your advice if you have time. My boyfriend got his cdl 1 1/2 yrs ago & went to work for Werner. Of course it was horrible so I did a bunch of research, bought a Kenworth W900 & then found a company to lease on with. I’ve owned a few businesses & this is by far the most lucrative. It’s a fantastic company & the pay is outstanding! Without disclosing but just so you know what I feel is outstanding: 75% of each load, 100% fuel surcharge & all lumper fees. Been runnin for them 5 weeks now & things have been great in the money department. Here lies my problem…my boyfriend has never made this kind of money, IS NOT business minded & now seems to think he has an endless flow of cash & he’s spending the money in ridiculous amounts & I want to pay him a salary instead of him having free reign of the checking acct. I’m not trying to be greedy but I have $20,000 invested & my plan was to be able to retire personally while he drives the truck & earns a good wage. If I hadn’t stepped up & bought the truck he would be making .39 a mile forever. I want to give him all lumper reimbursements, pay for fuel & give him a decent check so he can pay his own expenses & perhaps learn the value of the money he’s throwing around so easily. With my calculations he’ll make approximately $82,000 a yr NET. Does this seem fair to you? Do you have any suggestions? If I don’t make a change he’s gonna be unemployed & single while I hire a different driver to secure my future. Don’t really know how I’m gonna approach him with this yet but I have to do this before this gets any further out of hand. In case I can’t find your page again, could you respond to this to my email please? I would appreciate your advice. Thank you, Debi
Hi Debi,
You are very smart, and your boyfriend will do well to learn from you. You have to tell him that you have no choice- you won’t be in business long if you don’t plan for a major breakdown. It will happen, it’s just a matter of when. You absolutely must have a bank account with $10,000 in it just for that purpose. Then you also have to save for tax time. You have no choice but to pay him a halfway decent salary in the meantime. Just do some math with him, and explain it the way you did to me, but add in what I said too.
Thank you so much. I appreciate the response. I’m learning a lot about this trucking business & just put out $2800.00 in repairs to the front end of the truck so thank God I had put money away from the 1st few settlements. I’ll be talkin with him in the morning about the pay deal. I hope he takes it well. š
I agree with what Skaggs said above. However….let me give you an additional warning. Many of these companies will try to bait you into doing a lease purchase program at some point (aka fleece purchase).
I only can say one thing to you about fleece purchase. DO NOT DO IT….DO NOT CONSIDER IT!! I dont care what the company tells you and I dont care what you read (its all propaganda).
Hey!!! I’m going to start C1 truck driving school and going to TMC right after. They said .35 per mile or take load percentage option which they say 85% of their employees do that. Thoughts?
C1 is a fine school. However, in my opinion, TMC is only a place to start.
I almost went to work for TMC about 10 years ago. I walked out of orientation after I found out their average load length was 400 miles. (Of course I was very experienced, so I could pick and choose my next job.) What that means is, every single day you will unload one load, then load your next load- then drive 400 miles (on average). If you did that 5 days a week, you’d make 2000 miles, or in your case, $700 before taxes. That’s not very good pay in the trucking industry. And flatbed is hard work- especially at TMC where you’ll have to tarp a lot of your loads.
Plus, they are very strict about their trucks. Every time you pull into a terminal they will inspect your truck for damage, including any scratches on interior panels. They will replace any damaged panels and charge you for them! This is unheard of, and itself a good reason to walk away.
The good news is, if you get through a solid year with TMC, with that experience your next job will pay twice that (per week).
Good luck!
Hi ken my name is herman and I will start my truck training soon I am 21 but I have a family and my only concern is are there plenty of local jobs
That depends on where you live Herman.The closer to a city you are, the better chance you have of finding a good local job. There are good jobs in the country too, but fewer.
We’ll I’m not trying to get rich but make a decent living, but since I have a child and a wife don’t like the idea of being away from home too much at the moment I’m living in Rhode Island
Herman,
Since you are young and (I’ll assume) healthy, you should try for a route-sales job. You’ll be home every day, and still make decent money. Just go to the nearest large grocery store about 7am, and watch the back door for an hour or two. You should see some pop trucks, beer trucks, potato chip trucks, snack cake trucks, bread, etc. Ask them drivers about the job.
Ken in a woman looking to upgrade my class-B to class-A. What’s your opinion of Roadmaster Truck Driving School if you’ve heard of them?
Roadmaster is a fine school Tammera. Take a look at that link, they have a nice list of companies that hire their graduates.
Ken I recently got into a car accident about a year ago and that goes on my driving record. I really still want to get into trucking. Is it still possible?
Hi Tony,
It depends on the accident, and what kind of violation you received. Certain tickets can make it difficult (but not impossible) to get into trucking- speeding more than 15 mph over the limit, driving too fast for conditions, reckless driving, DUI. If you didn’t get any tickets as a result of that accident, chances are you’re OK.
Hey ken….im in Cleveland ohio…the schools are outrageously expensive. …..what would be the best company to train me…..I know I jave to work a year before I can…get options far as hauling from Philly where I plan to move….
Hi Earnest,
Don’t rush into this! An hour of your time (or a dozen phone calls) can save you $20,000 or more.
I can’t tell you of a good company to train at, because as far as I’m concerned, none of them are worth half a years pay (which is what it will cost you.)
Did you try a community college? http://www.tri-c.edu/workforce/transportation/Pages/Default.aspx
Most people qualify for a grant. Be sure to ask about that too.
If I were you I would call everything on the first two pages of Google, and ask a dozen questions-
https://www.google.com/search?q=cleveland+oh+truck+driving+schools&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb
I can understand taking training at a trucking company- only as a last resort. For example, maybe you don’t have a High School diploma (although, you can get into a Community College without one). Or maybe you’ve already had so much College you can’t get a government grant. Or maybe money is not that important to you. Or maybe you already know you want to work for a certain company that does training. Those are some good reasons to settle for training with a company. However, I can’t recommend any one in particular because everyone I ever heard of that did it regrets it. But if you feel you have no other choice, I still say- make a bunch of phone calls and ask a bunch of questions- and make the right choice.
Here are some questions you should ask-
How soon can I start?
How soon will I be getting paid?
How much is my pay at first?
How much is my pay after a while?
When will I be getting paid like a real trucker?
How long am I stuck working here?
Do you go to Philly?
Write down any questions you may think of- and don’t be shy about asking, they expect it, believe me.
Keep in mind, the average trucking job for a driver fresh out of truck driving school pays about 32 cents per mile. Some a little more. The average driver with one year experience should be able to make $50,000 a year.
So, take your time, make some calls, and make a wise decision.
Do a lot of research. Here’s one worth reading- http://www.drivebigtrucks.com/how-much-does-truck-driving-school-cost/
Good luck!
Ken, hello if am a current but newer driver of about a year as Otr class band 9 months with my class a! I am a sand hauler for the gas fields in upstate pa! I love what I do n I love driving. I work for a small independent owned company and I obtained my cdl on my own I have a amazing driving record and references! I make amazing money out here with minimaul benefits. I have gone through a divorce with a stack of debt n using the sand jobs to pull through! I am gone weeks at a time n fight to get time to see my kids! I have realized for myself my kids n new love n family time is worth more to me at the time in my life! I have ran flat bed for the same company and know the money is no where to make u rich! My question is what company’s in ur experience do you recommend to look in to that pays a decent wage n health package is rider friendly n will put u home for family time?
Hi Burt,
A lot of OTR companies get you home on weekends. (Heartland Express, Smith Transport, NFI, to name a few in upstate PA.) The best thing to do is check your local newspapers. You can also try looking on Google Maps for trucking companies in your area. If you really want to be home every day, and don’t mind some physical labor, you could try beer or pop distributors, potato chip or bread route companies (they drive a step-van but the pay is good.)
Good luck.
Hello, ken. I’ve got a question I’m talking to this local school here in Tucson,Az to get my CDL and the program is a 5wk program that cost $4800. I’ve got family out in california that says you can find great schools starting at $1500 and up. Is there any difference in schools?. And have you heard anything good from schneider? There starting at 32 cent a mile. Also getting out of school with no experience what’s a good pay to start?
Thanks
First, let me say Schneider is OK. Their network is so huge, you will likely be able to stay busy enough and find runs that take you home when you want to go.
Every truck driving school is different. I’m not sure what the going rate is, but I think $4800 is probably about average. And 5-weeks is nice and fast. Time is money, so the sooner you get working, the sooner you’ll be making money. 32 cents a mile is fair enough for someone fresh out of school.
Good luck!
I went to Camino real trucking school. $1500 for the shook. $300 down. Then you pay as much as you can every two weeks. That was last year. But they don’t have financial aid. Please do you know any trucking school that has financial aid?
It looks like you are near City of Industry, CA. If so, check out this list and make a few phone calls- http://local.dmv.org/california/los-angeles-county/city-of-industry/local-truck-driving-schools.php
Good luck.
Hi Ken, sorry this question is kind of off topic… I am interested in a career in truck driving, but I am also about to become a father for the first time and I’m worried about being away from home too much. Are there many jobs out there that allow a driver to be home most nights? I know these jobs won’t pay as much but I don’t want to live in my truck. Thanks.
Hi Ben,
There are plenty of good paying jobs for drivers that get you home every night. Well, it depends on where you live. If you live near a big city you should have no problem finding a decent day-job. Here are a few suggestions-
Route Sales jobs- go to your nearest large grocery store about 7AM and watch the back door for a couple of hours. You will see pop trucks, beer trucks, potato chip trucks, bread trucks, snack cake trucks, etc. All of these guys make good money and are home every night. Many of them drive smaller trucks too, like stepvans, and you only need a class B CDL.
Local Drivers- Go to your nearest Industrial Park (a neighborhood of factories and warehouses)- Again, go about 7AM and watch all the trucks with no sleepers. See where they go and go talk to the drivers. Write down the name on the trucks. These local drivers make good money and are home most nights.
Good luck!
Thank you for the advice. My husband is starting truck driving school in October. We want him to be able to be home at least weekly. Everyone he knows keeps telling him that it’s almost impossible for a new driver to get anything other than OTR. Reading your comments on here has made me feel much better about the possibility that he could find something other than OTR. We are also about to have our first son in December. In fact he will graduate a week before our son is due.
Thanks for the kind words Courtbey. Yes, there are a lot of truck driver jobs that are local, and you get to go home every night.
Good luck to you guys.
Thanks Ken!
Ken, What do you think about going with Swift for training?
I feel the same way about Swift as I do any trucking company that does training- Don’t do it. The problem is, you’ll have to work a long time at half-pay, usually a year, even more at some companies. If you go to an independent trucking school (one not owned by a trucking company) you will have a dozen jobs to choose from as soon as you graduate, and they all pay well, day one. Plus, you can usually get a government grant to pay for your trucking school.
Ken the only problem that I have found is that I live In Glasgow,Ky near Bowling Green,Ky.I have my CDLs and drove from 2001 to 2003 and all the companies I talk to say that being I have been out of the Tractor-Trailers for soo long that they cant hire me cause of Insurance.Only companies that except me is the Ones that have refresher coarses.Lucky me I have found 1 company that is only going to make me go out with a trainer for 2 weeks with no contract to sign and they will pay me .36 a mile and get a raise after 6 monthes.
That sounds like a pretty good deal Jamie. When you’ve been out of it for that long, it’s tough to get back in without recent experience.
Ken,
I just received my CDL Class A and was offered a job from Core-Mark in Washington State. They stated they pay by nautical mile (did not say how much yet) and I could make up to $800 a week give or take at a max of 4 working days during the 7 day week. I am from California and looking for any driving job so out of state is not a problem, no ties where I am currently. However I am not sure if this is a good offer being I saw a lot of negatives from former and current employees as drivers. What are your personal thoughts regarding Core-Mark and as I am looking for a job what should I be most concerned about while looking. The site says they offer all kinds of benefits, paid sick days etc.
Thank you,
I never heard of a trucking company paying nautical miles- and I’ve been in this business for over 30 years. Most companies pay PC Miler (Rand McNally) miles- which is from city limits to city limits (you don’t get paid for the miles within the city). The better ones pay hub miles. Nautical miles are a straight line drawn from space- which doesn’t include any twists and turns the roads take. Wikipedia claims a nautical mile is over 6000 ft- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautical_mile (That’s about 15% to 25% more driving that you don’t get paid for.)
That sounds like a rip-off to me.
I’ve never heard anyone talk about Core-Mark. But if you are experienced, $800 a week isn’t a lot. I’d keep looking.
Anthony, Nautical miles on a dry land is a complete rip off) if you are based in California and are still looking, give us a call 323.540.4542 and mention nautical miles :), we respect our drivers and their hard work and not only do we pay well, but we treat them well too. Nautical miles LOL
Hey Ken I’m looking to get my cdl soon .how much should I be looking for an hour starting off. Why do u say we can make money if we dont go to an independent school? Thank you. cliff
Hi Cliff,
No, what I said is you make MORE MONEY if you go to an independent school. An independent school usually has a list of companies that hire their graduates. Whereas a school that is owned by a trucking company will make you work exclusively for them for a long time at a low wage. You’d be a lot better off going to an independent school. Plus, most people can get a government grant to pay for the independent school.
There is another option too- You can get your CDL by yourself. Study the free booklet from your local DMV, take all the tests, then go find a local job.
Good luck!
Hi I was looking into being a trucker with crst trucking doing the team 20/10 program…but I wanted to know if I’m making the right choice? Any advice will be welcomed.
Hi Bart,
I’ve heard good things about CRST in general. But it seems to me that their 20/10 program wouldn’t pay as much as a regular team, simply because you have 10 days off. If hometime is more important than money it could work out for you. Here are some drivers doing it-
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/crst/188334-crst-20-10-south-florida.html
Hi Ken,
l want to get a class A cdl I have a class B now a company called Pam is offering training and a team position after completing there course. Do yoy know of them, and would you recomend this way to start a trucking career? I hope you can give some advice to this approach.
Thank you, Mike Coburn
Hi Mike,
I suggest NOT taking that deal at PAM. Nothing against PAM, but there are a few problems with this idea. Most important one is you’ll be stuck there for a long time working for very low pay. Another problem is, you’ll be stuck riding with someone that you most likely won’t get along with for a long time.
You can save yourself a lot of money, and have more choices for jobs if you just go to an independent truck driving school. In most cases you can qualify for a grant to pay for it. And when you graduate you will have a list of jobs to choose from- that pay a lot more money day-one.
Just google truck driving schools and your city. Call a few of the closest ones and ask them how many jobs they know about for their graduates. (It should be a bunch.) Then ask about financial aid.
Good luck.
Thank you so much Ken. What was the chance of finding your site at just the right time. I will take your advice and look at those options, Thanks again.
Mike
hello; i am interested in getting a cdl. i have clean record and i know i can pass the cdl and pre tests. . i was approached by cr england and they said i was a good canidate. they said i qualify for class and my background is excel. i had approached an independant school. found out they are 1/2 what crengland is charging for school and i am not locked into driving for them for 9 months. they have around 10 companies who recruit new drivers from the local school. dont know what kind of pay i should accept being a trainee but i am will to pay for a school. $2500 500 down and 1000, after 2 weeks and 1000 at completion. i want to get on the road driving. i had some experience 20 years ago. i can drive anything. i dont know what to do i just know i need some assurance on the right choice. crengland offers 25 cpm and increase of 1 cpm after 6 months. they never told me bennifits .. they said average of 2300 week otr. team i think. after that math figures out i would likely be given up $18k for this 9 months. based on cpm. so, i have read your posts and wonder what is best.. Thanks Patrick
Patrick- Don’t go to CR England. Go to an independent truck driver school. You will make more money right away once you start working. And you will have more choices of jobs. Plus, if you don’t like your job you can easily find another one. You will make a lot more money in the end.
thank you ken.. your the best..i thought that so. i called them and cancelled my enrollment..
Stay away from CRST!!! My son received a cdl through them and will have to work at 12 cents a mile for the next 28 days and then under contract with CRST for the next 10 months way under what drivers are supposed to get paid or else or else pay CRST back thousands of dollars !!!!!!!!
thank you Lynn. i decided to go to work for swift trucking
temp is the way to go. find a cdl temp leasing place and work there. most likely 19.00 an hour plus OT after 40. you also get to jump around to different companies and NO forced dispatch. no1 really owns you. you can take a day or a week off whenever you want. word to wise… milk the clock for about 1.5 hours a day!!
I’m making 75k doing exactly that. but might switch over to blue rino because now they are offering 25.00 an hour and a 3 day work week just to go to HD and places to switch out empty propane tanks for full ones. easy!!!!!
I am looking to get my cdl in Atlanta Ga. What is my best bet to get it and a good payin job and still be home every week or every day ? As I am single mom and would like to see them often. Is it possible and would I make good money. I can do the labor if that gets me more Mon ey
Hi Jessica,
Here is a nice list of truck driving schools in the Atlanta area. Beware though- there may be a trucking company or two on that list. You want an independent school, not one owned by a trucking company. If their name ends with “transportation” don’t bother. But most of these are the kind of truck driving school I recommend.
http://www.dds.ga.gov/commercial/cdlschoollist.aspx
You should call the closest 4 or 5 schools and ask what job opportunities they know about. They should have a list to show you. If they don’t, call the next one. Also, ask about financial aid. Most people qualify. It may take a while to get the financial aid, but it will be worth waiting for.
Once you get your CDL, there will be a ton of opportunities for you in the Atlanta area. There are a lot of good jobs there. If you don’t mind a little sweat, and you want to be home daily, I suggest route-sales type jobs… Legs (the pantyhose company), any potato chip distributor, snack cakes, bread routes, etc. Just go to your nearest big grocery store about 7 AM and watch the back door for a couple of hours. You should see all of those and more show up to make deliveries. Then, just ask the driver if they are hiring. If you do get a chance to get an interview at one of those companies, keep in mind- they are more interested in your sales ability than your ability to drive a truck. Just smile and show them how likable you are, and they will hire you.
Most of those above drive step-vans (and they make $400 to $1400 a week depending on their busy season, or busy route- they pay commission).
If you’d rather drive a semi and still be home daily, you could try the same thing in an industrial park. If you know an area where a whole bunch of factories and warehouses are, just go there about 7AM and look for the day-cab trucks (without a sleeper). Then talk to those drivers.
Good luck!
Ken there are many trucking jobs in the oil and gas industry paying over $100,000 a year in West Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and North Dakota. As a recruiter for this industry I see how much more this industry pays in comparison to OTR and local driving. Drivers can always visit m website at http://www.drsoilfield.com to inquire about these jobs.
Thanks Albert! I knew about the Odessa/Midland area being hot for those high-paying, oil industry driver jobs. It’s nice to have a source. We appreciate that.
I am waiting on going to CDL training through a company where I have to drive for them a year. After doing research it seems like this was possibly a bad decision. I am 31 years old, although when I was in my early 20s I had a few problems and now have a criminal record so I have always thought a good job was not possible for me. My family has been drivers for 30+ years and love it, and they encouraged me to go this route, telling me “You get your foot in the door, get experience, and have a track record that shows your past is just that, you can have a career” Is this good advice? The company I chose pays .17 cents per mile the first year, 6 months driving team, then the option of going it solo with increases. On the other hand it does seem to have good 401k, insurance,etc. I have read horror stories about this particular company on forums, although it seems I have read horror stories about EVERY one of these type companies on a forum. I believe that this field would be ideal for me, and even at .17 cents per mile the first year, it sure beats working for minimum wage. Any advice, info, anything would be extremely helpful.
Hi Mark,
You came to the right place for this question. Driving a truck is hard work, but the pay is great. Getting started is not always easy, but there are a few ways to do it.
Let’s do some math… 17 cents per mile is half-pay. In fact, 34 cents per mile is low pay. If you drove an average of 2500 miles a week, you would make about $425 a week before taxes. Which means you would be paying roughly $425 a week for a year for that schooling. (That’s about $22,000.) Even if you agree with that price tag, there is a major problem with this- you are stuck at that company for a year no matter what.
The best advice is one of these three options-
1. Go to an independent truck driving school. In other words, if a trucking company owns it- run away fast. An independent school will have multiple jobs to choose from upon graduation. And in most cases you can qualify for financial aid.
Just google “truck driving schools” in your area. Ignore CREngland, Scneider, Prime, or any one that is really a trucking company. Instead, call the closest one that is a real school, independently owned. If there is one or two close by, go in and talk to them in person. Ask them to show you a list of who they know that hires their graduates. There should be several companies, maybe even ten or more.
If you tell me what city you live in, I will help you find a good one.
2. Join a community college. If you don’t qualify for financial aid, this is the lowest cost option. At a community college, you can take the courses for a couple hundred dollars vs a few thousand at independent truck driving schools. However, the hurdles are tougher- there may not be a road test. In other words, you may only end up with a CDL permit. Many local companies will still hire you with a permit.
3. Train yourself. You can go to your DMV and get the free CDL booklet, study it, and take the written tests. Once you pass, you will have a CDL permit. This allows you to drive a treuck with a CDL holder present. With that permit in hand, many companies will hire you. You may have to start out with a local company, or one that works hard (like pop, beer or milk distributors, moving companies, and others that do a lot of physical labor.) If you can handle the hard work, I suggest this route because you will be making full pay day one. Most of these local drivers make anywhere from $700 a week to $1500 a week, depending on where you live.
Good luck!
Some local companies where I live are paying .28 per mile. I’m at Old Old Dominion and make .573 per mile. Why would anyone work for that?
I agree completely. That’s half-pay in your case. Although, some companies have extra pay. For example, I knew a guy who delivered furniture for Sears Homeline in Chicago- He made a low mileage rate like that, but he also got $30 a stop- and he made sometimes 20 stops in a city. He averaged about $1400 a week. Not too shabby. But I hear you, some companies just pay peanuts- and I can’t imagine why anyone would take that job. Maybe those drivers have a bad DAC report, or can’t pass a drug test.
Hi guys, I work for an event company looking to hire a driver or two for the summer months. We have two 53′ dry vans. I was wondering what fair pay for a driver would be. We could guarantee 5 months of work with 30-40 moves. We are completely new to hiring drivers, so I am curious how this all works. Do we pay salary or by mile? Does that include gas or stops? We are looking into power only companies, but my assumption is it is more cost effective for both driver and our company to hire direct. If we did try to hire a drive direct, what is the best way to go about this. Can someone help out by explaining all of this. Thank you. The post and comments are very helpful!
Hi Andrew,
I have done some event work. It was a lot of fun hanging out at the convention centers. You will see some of the best custom trucks in those parking lots. (Not to mention all the beautiful girls walking around.)
The problem, from a driver’s perspective is- all the down time. If you don’t pay the driver for that time you will have trouble keeping one. For example, a truck owner needs to make at least $600 or $700 a day to make ends meet and prosper. With a decent mileage rate, the truck owner should do that or more on days he is driving. But if there is too much unpaid time sitting still, he won’t stay for long.
There are basically three ways to do this…
One is, hire a power-only company- or any trucking company with a lot of trucks. With this option, the driver can simply pick up your loaded trailer, then drop it at your destination each time you need it moved, and leave- no downtime for him. If you know for sure the driver will not have to spend hours and hours loading and unloading, you can shop around and negotiate a fair mileage rate. (Probably in the $2 a mile area.)
Two is, hire an owner operator. This option has less headaches for you, but will cost a little more in the long run. Offer them a minimum guarantee per week, or a good enough mileage rate so they will make at least $3500 per week.
The third option is, buy your own truck and hire a company driver. If you do this it will cost you less money in the long run (unless there is a lot of down-time at your shows). You can buy a decent used truck with a sleeper for about $40,000. You should expect to pay the driver about $50,000 or more per year. Of course, with this option, truck maintenance and insurance is on you. You will also have to keep yourself abreast of DOT regulations (there are companies out there that will train you for a few hundred dollars.)
Those are your choices. You’ll have to do the math and decide which one works best for you.
Good luck!
Thanks for the reply!
You’re welcome. I wish you the best.
Hi, I went through a truck driver school at a community college and have now been a company driver for a little over two years. I really do like the company I work for. I am usually gone 2-3 weeks then home 3-4 days. I make .375 per mile now after getting a half cent raise every six months, starting at .36 after my six month .27 “student” rate to start. I made about $37000 last year and should make over $40,000 this year. My question is, am I making a mistake by staying with the same company? Should I be making considerably more than I am? Like I said, I am happy with the company, and there are benefits to being at the same place, such as building up vacation, 401k, and not having to worry about waiting periods for signing up for insurance and other benefits. If I stay with this company, I will continue to get raises every six months, up to .42. Thanks!
Hi Al,
There is more to life than money. Your pay may not be top in the industry, but it is decent. If you are happy there I think you should stay. And like you said, there are benefits of staying.
I’ve had jobs that paid $50+ but usually there was a lot of aggravation. One of my favorite jobs was with a company that went out of business (CX Roberson). I only made about $40,000 there, but I liked it. They had runs that passed by my house quite often, the truck was nice, it was an easy job- no stress. If they would have never went out of business I’d probably still be there today.
I’d also like to add the fact that the mileage rate is only one side of the equation. In just a few short years you’ll be at .42. That’s not chicken scratch. .375 may be considered a bit on the low side, but if they keep you running steady you will make more money that someone else who may be getting .44 cpm but doesn’t get more than 1900 miles a week.
Stay- and stay happy!
Mr. Skaggs,
My husband is currently attending school to become a truck driver. He already had his Class B license. He had over 1 year of experience driving buses before he decided to for his Class A license. He is attending school at a community college instead of a company sponsored school so his schooling fees are substantially lower. He wanted to know how much per week do new graduates make? He wants to ask this because he’s heard there are a few companies that hire new graduates and pay anywhere from $500-$900 per week. His ideal weekly paycheck is $800-$1,000 per week and he set the standard that high because we are looking to get back into the show horse business and wanted to know if we saved for a while would we be able to do this expensive hobby? Our daughters also want show horses! Please let me know your thoughts and advice!
Hi Taska,
It sounds like your husband knows what he’s doing. Paying your way througfh a community College is simply the best choice. The first year driving a big rig, the pay is a little lower, but still a living wage. Once he earns that solid year behind those 18-wheels (especially if he is OTR), he will be able to pick and choose his next job. I suggest he do just that- carefully select the next one (after that year). Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions, recruiters expect that.
Good luck with those show horses!
We are a new company, running four trucks. We have been taking loads from Ne.to ND, and our guys are home every other day and strive for weekends off. All this considered I have a hard time figuring what would be fair to pay. Want my drivers to be happy, as well as grow with our companies growth. Any help?
Hi Patti,
The best thing I can think of is be honest, and share the wealth. A little occasional bonus will go a long way to a drivers heart. In other words, when you have a really good week or month, give the guys $100 under the table who made it happen. And let them know you appreciate them. Little things mean a lot to some drivers- a turkey on Thanksgiving, or a driver appreciation party (with gifts) can do a lot to make them feel needed and appreciated.
As far as pay, most small independent companies like yours pay about 30%. But experienced drivers will ask- 30% of what? In other words, if a run pays $1000, the driver makes $300. But if it takes him 3-days he didn’t do so well. On the other hand, you can pay %28 if the run pays $1000 and he’s home in a day and a half. I understand you can only afford so much, but if you are doing very well, and you’d like to keep it rolling, reward those who make it happen for you.
And talk to them- ask if they are happy, and let them know that they will not hurt your feelings no matter what they answer.
Also, ask them for ideas. Drivers often have some great ideas and will let you know what’s good or not about the job.
One guy I worked for had about 6 trucks and offered me the freedom of an owner operator. He always said if I didn’t like the company I signed on with, don’t quit him, just put that truck to work somewhere else. That meant a lot to me, and I did just that.
Good luck to you!
Hi Ken What do you know About low sugar level And driving, because my nurse practioner bleaves that I am Some kind of diabetic but no proof of that my last blood test all three suger level indicatores were on the normal side she will not sing up my DMV papers because she thinks I told her that I get desy and that it.
please let me know what to do.
Thank you.
Hi Ahmad,
I had a good friend who had the same problem. But he was an independent owner operator, so he just went to a different clinic for his DOT exam, and got his 2-year DOT card. If you can do that, just go to a different clinic and don’t tell them you had problems in the past. If you have no choice, and you must get approval from her, try talking to her, and let her know that you are exercising and eating right, and you have no problems whatsoever.
Good luck!
Ken,
I have a question for you, back in 2008 I had a positive drug test with the department of transportation while trying to get in the trucking industry, I’m clean now and have been ever since, is there anything I can do to try and get a second chance at a career in this field of work? My driving record is clean as well as my background, but with the companies I’ve contacted it doesn’t seem to matter, help me out…if you can.
I always heard a positive drug test only stays on your DAC for two years. Been there, done that myself. It could be different now though. However, even if it is still on your record, I’m sure someone will hire you- it just won’t be one of the big names. You don’t want to work for them anyway. Try a smaller outfit, like someone with just a few trucks. And when you apply, don’t mention it. But keep looking, it’s out there somewhere. Good luck my friend.
Thanks for the advice…
I travel between two major cities in NorthEast by car every weekend for my work in IT and I see almost 95% of truck drivers drive very well along I-95. I am kind of interested in driving these big trucks so I want to get a CDL only for driving recreational purpose and definitely do not want to work in this field, as I don’t need to drive for living.
Can I be able to do that ? How many hours of training is required for the same?
If you want to get a CDL just to drive your own personal vehicle, you could simply take a written test to get your CDL permit, then you’ll have to find someone with a semi that will let you use their truck for the road test. You may be able to rent one.
Ok im about to start school for this. The company is paying for it. But I only get .17 cpm after school and training to start. Is that horrible for otr?
If it was just a few months at that rate, I’d say maybe. But if they are making you work for a year or more for half-pay- RUN AWAY FAST. 6-months at that rate will cost you $20,000. Do the math. How much does REAL truck driving school cost? (I don’t know that.) But I do know this- 17 cpm is less than half the industry average driver pay. Most (experienced) drivers make more than .34 cpm, so that’s why I call it half-pay.
The great thing about the trucking industry is the job security. It’s so easy to just say- I don’t like it here- make a few phone calls, and have ten jobs to choose from. You give up that freedom when you sign a deal like this.
I suggest applying for a Federal Grant or student loan to help pay your tuition at an independent (as in, not owned by a trucking company) truck driving school. Before you complete the course you will have your choice of ten jobs at twice that rate.
A lot of community colleges offer low cost truck driving school courses.
Or, find a job with a company that is willing to train you for free. They’re out there. Don’t look in those stupid little magazines at truck stops. For example, most soda delivery companies, beer distributors, dairies, moving companies- places like that, which also hire helpers for the drivers. Any of these companies will start you out at a living wage, and let you work your way up to driver.
You came to the right place for advice on this. Good luck to you.
Wish i was smart enough to look at this site before i started. I took that one year deal and my year is up next month. Im a team driver making 19.5 cpm. We get paid on all the miles the truck runs. Pretty much 39 cpm give or take. This company gives you one day home for every week worked, with at least three weeks out at a time. I love trucking but feel like im being dragged. With hazmat endorsement they keep u running non-stop with the exception of the occasional break down and 34 hr repower. However since last march i only grossed 27k. Not to mention the money they take out of my check weekly to pay them back for schooling. Said all of that to say; look at it as an investment in a career, im only 24yo if i chose to go to college i would have put in twice the time, maybe making half the money working fast food, and none of the experience in the field i would have chozen. I know the pay is low compared to industry standards but its not permanent and i could be doing alot worse.
Ps. Can you do something on local salaries. After this year i wanna come home for a while. But loved this article. Just wish id seen it before signing that dotted line…………
Thanks Mac trucker.
It sounds like you just about got this whipped. You could have made a better choice, but now that you are here, you made it. With one year experience, a team driver should do quite well (.45 cents a mile or more) and have your choice of just about any company. 27k really isn’t bad for your first year. But your second year could double that if you look around.
Good luck my friend.
I am looking for drivers to work in the Branchburg, NJ area. We run concrete pipe on flatbed trailers. Must do two loads per day with unloader, 5 days per week. Decent driving record. $1200.00 weekly with experience. Email me if you are interested at massiinfo@aol.com
my boyfriend is a class A cdl driver with a year experience! he is on a “sliding pay scale” and is only getting payed about 17cpm and we all agree this is BS! what should he be getting payed cpm wise?
Your boyfriend must be a student-driver, who agreed to work for low wages to pay off his training. If not, get him the heck out of there. If he has at least 6-months experience he can get a job with just a few phone calls. Most trucking companies are paying .32 cents per mile on the lowest end, to about .45 cents a mile on the higher end. Some even more. RUN from that scam.
I am a bull hauler in wisconsin home every day and off weekends making 71000 a year guess i keep doen what i doen most the job dipcussed not worth turning a wheel for
You got that right Duane. It sounds like you got a pretty good job. I’d keep that one.
.45 cents per mile is $.0045 per mile. Even at 60 mph, that’s less than half a buck an hour. How can you earn a living at this?
You are mistaken Reggie. .45 cents a mile is just that- 45-cents, not .0045.
.45 x 60 = $27.00 an hour.
So, what about these drive-to-own programs I’ve been hearing about?
RUN and RUN fast as far away from it as possible…heres what to expect..Yes my friend you too can own a big rig! what they don’t tell you is forced dispatched, repairs at company facilities, fuel costs, and all this comes out of the big 65% settlement they gona give you plus a payment. So if you want to haul someones freight up and down the road for free whilst they make all the profit go for it!
It sounds like you are talking about lease-purchase. If so, most of us agree with you. But this piece is about company driver jobs. Thanks for posting.
Stay far away from those lease-purchase scams.
I lost my home to a fire in 1979 and lost everything. My uncle who had driven for Matlak and retired from them (Pipeline on Wheels) gave me some of his old work shirts. He had left a pay stub in one of the pockets which was dated in 1973. I multiplied that wage out for a year so in 1973 he was making about $36,000! Today with the cut throat tactics, traffic, hours of service, no paid delays at shippers and recievers, higher taxes, higher health care, we are lucky to even make $36,000 in 2013! It is pretty bad when a trucking company boast god pay and hands you food stamps to eat on.
and please drivers, make sure it is NOT state to state lines you are getting paid for. you want HUB miles, to AND from. they will screwed you if it is post office to post office. most companies will try to pull that trick. BE SMART!
I wish you ALL well.
fyi…
that .45 cents a mile will not include stop pay. and I will get a contract signed if they agree otherwise I look elsewhere. I’m doing Class A temp work right now so it all looks good. Most of you should try it if ur unemployment. It keeps you looking good. And the key words in an interview is “your looking for a career NOT a job”. They love it!!!!!!
I say to all, negotiate if you have experience, 5+ years and your DAC and PSP is clean. If you just agree to there terms then you will be making under 40K a year. get a contract signed before drug screen and physical. words to the wise:))
I’m doing that now with a company well known. They say .37 cents a mile in the northeast and I pushed a tad, now its at .41 cents. They know I’m extremely qualified and I’m getting a phone call tomorrow after they run DAC, PSP and such. They will come to me with .41 cents but NOT in the northeast for me. I will push for .45 cents saying I have other offers on the table. I will settle for .44 cents with a six month review bumping me to .45 cents and if not I walk. All of you good drivers out there should do the same BUT in a nice manner. Don’t settle just negotiate. Explain, you can hire a driver for .37 cents a mile but soon he/she will crash your equipment, I am responsible and your company can depend on me!
Lets do the math. You have had 100 jobs in 25 years. that averages out to 4 jobs per year, or a new job every 3 months. While only 20 of those jobs were as a truck driver. When did you actually get any wheel time, between looking and applying for all of these jobs, not to mention going for the interviews, taking the physicals , going to the company orientations, and then actually getting to drive. Did you actually get out of the company parking lot with any of these jobs. In 40 yrs of on the road driving I have worked for 5 companies. logged over 4 and a half million miles. Am still driving today, for the most part it has been my experience that most companies will stick it to the driver every chance they get and are only going to pay them enough to keep them broke so they are afraid to leave. The next one might be worse and if anything happens to that driver they will simply hire another monkey to put in that warm seat you just vacated. The trucking industry as a whole doesn’t give a rat’s behind about the drivers as one Safety Manager told me . Drivers are a dime a dozen I can get 100 like you by tomorrow. Not trying to pick a fight with you but really your credentials don’t look that good if you crunch the numbers. Unless you are attempting a bad joke.
Hi Frank,
After thinking a little harder, maybe I wasn’t clear. I started working when I was 17, and that was 1976. This is now 2013. That’s 37 years that I’ve been working. Those 100+ jobs I mentioned were in all those years. I started trucking around 1985. That’s about 28 years now, in trucking. In those 28 years there were a few jobs that I stayed a year or two, even three years with. But I’m an entrepreneur at heart. So I would always save a little money, then start a business. Do OK with it for a while, then go broke and need a job again. Oftentimes I will take the first job offer, but keep looking for something better. Then take the better job. Then save up some money again and start another hair-brained business idea. Work that until I go broke, then need a job again. I repeat this cycle over and over. You might say I am a professional job-hopper, and a dreamer.
Funny True Story, when I was in my 20’s and working construction where the phrase of the day was “I’m dragging up”, just because someone looked at you sideways. As a result, I had about 10 jobs in 2 years. Like an idiot, I included all of these jobs on my resume. During an interview, looking for a new job, the hiring manager took one look at my resume and suggested that I move around a lot and simply said we will keep your resume on file. Knowing I was not getting this job, I said with a straight face to the manager that “while you are considering my qualifications for this job perhaps you can tell me a little about the company”. The end result was before he could get the satisfaction of depriving me of this job he had to convince me that I wanted it. Before the interview was over he was promising me the job and I got it. I also lasted longer with that company than the manager who hired me.
Haha, that’s a good one.
Ken,
I have a single truck my kids father drives but I’m running in to problems lately with him. I’m considering letting him go and keeping the truck running so I can support my kids. I do the dispatching and paper work. I have a 48′ flat with 00 Pet 3409. When it comes to everything I need to consider with hiring how would you suggest going abou finding a driver who knows about maintaining and treating the equipment properly.
Good dependable drivers are hard to find. Especially ones that are mechanically inclined. I would suggest interviewing your prospects and asking a few basic mechanical questions. Good luck.
Hey Ken:
After 14 years in the industry. 6 as O/O 5 as Co driver and 4 recovering from injury, the most recent Feb 2010 to Mar 2013 (not my fault, like I told the police, I was in the bunk sleeping he was driving, I don’t really know what happened). I hooked up with an O/O to drive team with my friend of 30 years. We were driving by the mile but the company lot the dedicated run we were doing and I suggested to the boss, who know squat about trucking he just owns the trucks. Anyway I suggested to him lets move our truck to flats, running for percentage. He said do the research and find a good company. So I did the research and found a company that has shown me other O/O pay statements showing $2.50 average net, I am also getting 30% for me and my co-driver as he needs to be taught flats before being turned loose on his own. My O/O said if I can show a profit in the next 6 weeks he is going to hand all the trucks over to me to find better companies for them to work for. 30% is a good # and it is a win win for everyone.
Hey, that’s using your head. Thanks Mike, I needed that.
I drove for 19 years before my health became so bad i was no longer able to drive according to the “DOT”and the one thing I found out that all trucking co are F.O.S
the requiters tell you one thing,and dispatch tells you another.any co.driver who says hes runnin 3k miles a week is lyin’ and lookin to get a bonus.once you hire on they will will run the piss out of you till a new guy comes on board,then miles will drop to any where from 1600 to 2000 and you will not get home for a month,this is what the study groups say is the best way,forget about layover pay and watch your expences(scale tickets,toll.hotel on breakdown,ect ect ect
and lumper fee’s )some co most will find a reason not to pay them if they can,and never pay cash for repairs or fuel…EVER…Its not your truck,and when on time off don’t answer the phone if its them calliing,
Ken I’m a 28 year old woman driver with 3.5 years driving and around 250,000 miles under my belt. I’m in love with truck driving and the bigger the trucks, trailers, and loads are the more fun I have so I’m starting to appy for oversize heavy haul driving jobs and I have some big oversize load experience that made my truck as long 110 feet long and 14 feet wide (6 feet of that overhanging the passenger side) and hauling it about 350 miles no pilot cars or other drivers through highly congested areas. I also hauled some oversize hay bales from North Dakota to Texas. However I don’t really have experience with anything heavier than 80,000 pounds. What do you think I should expect for pay from a heavy haul company like Diamond?
Hi Tiana,
I’m not sure what Diamond pays, it doesn’t say anything on their website. Percentage is better than mileage- if they offer a choice, take percentage. Hopefully it’s 30% or at least 28 going on 30. Ask them what their heavy haul drivers average per week, or per year.
There are a lot of intangibles when heavy hauling- waiting for permits, escorts, and taking your time with loading, unloading and routing. The bottom line is what will you make per week, not per mile. If it pays .50 cents a mile, that won’e seem like much when you have to wait a full day for permits. Ask about delay pay too.
In other words, you should be able to make at least 50,000 a year, and the top drivers should be making over 70,000.
BTW- 110 feet long should have had an escort.
Good luck!
Ken I’m 25yr old looking to get into a driving school/hire position but it seems like a lot of them take advantage of you . I know getting the experience is necessary but paying your do’s has to pay off to is there anyway to get. Into the trucking. World and make it pay off. Young entrepreneur
Yes Brian, you can get lucky and start making good money right off the bat. One idea is to hook-up with a local soda or beer distributor. Oftentimes, these companies will hire helpers, whose job it is to do most of the heavy lifting for the driver. If you can get on with one, then you get your CDL on your own, and be quick to tell them once you have it. Then they will let you drive one when they get in a jam, and before you know it, you are a full time driver making $800 to $1000 a week.
Another shortcut is some moving companies. They hire helpers too, and if you have a CDL you can get lucky and get a driving position quickly, if your timing is good.
Best of luck to you.
I’m a class A driver, always local. i have a PERFECT DRIVING RECORD and NO CRIMINAL HISTORY. I have all my endorsements as well.
For the questions:
in the northeast (connecticut) would you think .32 cpm and 10.50 a stop delivering mattresses to sleepys and mom/pops is fair pay? i did the math on a 400 mile day with 4 stops and it doesn’t add up? Dispatch assured me when i divide my hours by pay I would be at 20.00 an hour.
????
I even would consider to relocate for the right position anywhere in the U.S.
I used to go to JFK a lot (back in 2003), and it surprised me to learn that a lot of the local drivers around there only made $12 to $15 an hour. I had one friend that worked for Sears furniture delivery service, and his pay was similar to yours. But they did 15+ stops a day and made killer money (about $250-300 a day.) Maybe that mattress company has more than 4 stops a day? Anyway, if you want to stay local, and don’t mind physical work, you should try some beer companies, soda, milk, etc. These guys get paid salary plus commission and they do very well. Or a local moving service. Movers do alright too, but they work their butts off.
If you don’t mind some traveling, some of the OTR companies have regional runs that get you home a few days a week. Heartland is one that pays very good and does a lot of East coast stuff.
Thanks for commenting, good luck bro.
now unemployed, laid off. I have a
decade of experience with all endorsements, class A.
I’m choosing a simple drop and hook job (100% no touch) in the northeast, No slip seating, my own 2016 freightliner that no1 will touch. Mon-Fri, aprox 5/6am to 3/4pm… 20.00 an hour (which I wasn’t pleased with) but OT after 40 and the company had me look at the drivers hours for the last year. They were averaging, 47-53 hrs. So, what do you all think?
I could bust my ass and make 1500 gross, working 3rd shift, slip seating, weekends and being oncall…. Quality of life, Is money everything?
Do you guys think I’m making a wise choice?
In the oil field here in ND the average pay for Crude oil drivers, which are the best drivers in the patch, is right around $28-$30 per hour with average 12+ hours a day. 5 on 3 off or 5 on 2 off is pretty average. Housing is hard to find but the company I run with pays $28 per hour, Health insurance, 401K, and a very nice safety bonus incentive…..
Nice! That’s the way it should be. There are some good jobs out there, and this is a great example. Thanks for chiming in Jason.
as an OTR driver I average 21.60 per hour. If I run locally I average 20.00 per hour. That,s running dry van and refer units only
Sounds good. Thanks for chiming in.
At 60MPH thats only .36 /mile. That’s not good pay as in reality any east coast Ohio and eastward will not average 60MPH.
I would not take that job. It should pay you at least .40 cpm and at least 20.00 an hour since you have to unload the product. That way it would figure out to be 240.00 a day and 1200.00 a week before taxes. You have to figure that you are driving 2000 miles a week plus your unload. And you have to figure in how long it takes to unload and drive that amount per day. 400 miles at 60 miles an hour is 6.6 and then the unload on average is 4 hours. that leaves you at 10.6. so figure that up at 20.00 an hour per day. which is 212.00 per day. Then figure in your pre and post trip inspection.
now I got myself in trouble but I will fix it. I have an
excellent DMV and PSP. but now, I met the wrong
girl. long story short, I have 2 pending misdemeanors on
me. the court says you haven’t even had a parking ticket in the
last 10 yrs. they say the charges will be dismissed but after
a year. it shows on every background report. do companies
look at that stuff seriously? I’m working for a temp agency
driving but this sure holds me back. any advise besides
going OTR?? I am going to plead to family advocate so
that this doesn’t ruin me. or I’ll have to take temp and stop applying
and become a waiter on the side. need advice from all.
btw, I’m the 1 who called the pd on her 3 months ago and I called
again but I get arrested. she has very bad anger problems. just need advise
plz.
Get away from that girl once and for all!
Daniel,
Some advice for you since it sounds like we dated the same girl. If the court tells you that the ticket will be removed after a year, given no further incidents, and a year goes by wo any further incidents but the ticket is still haunting you because its showing up on your background checks and whatnot, do the following: with your original court paperwork in hand, go to the court that you were originally sentenced at. Find the prosecutor that gave you this deal. Hopefully you know that prosecutors name. Just tell the court personel that you want to observe traffic court, which will be the same thing as where they hand out misdemeanors. So get to know the courthouse and figure out every courtroom where they try these tickets. You might have to go every day (not in a row, if u can’t, but eventually cover every weekday). If u find that prosecutor, don’t get nervous and stand out cause the judge or bailiff will wonder what you’re doing in there if you’re seen yelling the prosecutors name from the peanut gallery. So scope out how the prosecutor operates. If its a crazy loud courtroom, good. The prosecutor will be bombarded by defense lawyers all day. Oh, wear a suit. Look like a lawyer. Do not look like the accused. Find your angle, wheather its just approaching him/her, or waiting till lunch break. Then, respectfully and briefly, tell them this is your ticket, this was your deal, youre there because the deal went wrong cause the ticket is still on there, and please sir, ma’am, its affecting my livelihood, what can I do to have it EXPUNGED from your record like it should have been. This way, hopefully, you avoid having to hire a lawyer. A lot of times prosecutors themselves, who are working for a private firm contracted by the city, and not actually are even technically working for government, will be given the responsibility to keep track of things like expunging your record after agreeing to a one year continuance for dismissal, or whatever they called it in your jurisdiction. Well guess what; they’re not doing the back end of that deal until you walk in and politely point out the error. If you have to, ask them when your next appearance is, in front of the judge, so you can wrap up the deal that was offered and taken a year ago. Dont take a wishy washy answer lying down cause this was the offer THEY gave you. BUT, DO NOT raise attention to yourself. And, if the prosecutor is a different person than the one you had, and they no longer work there, pick the prosecutor who seems to be the least harsh. And as for getting tickets when you call the police: dude I can tell you that you and her are headed for rock bottom should you stay together. Cops like that are out of their mind control freaks. You must not let it bother you. It happened and you no longer have control over the situation. But stand back and think about whether you think its really meant to be for you and this chick to continue a relationship that’s brought this upon you. Now, don’t worry about it, let the universe’s positive light and energy fill you up. Be a happy person and don’t let this crap get you down brother.
Having a baseline for what kind of salary you should expect is always good, especially if you are looking to get into driving for the first time. There are always unscrupulous people looking to take advantage of people that need a decent job, so the best thing you can do is educate yourself!