How Much Do Truckers Earn?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Prince Roy, Mar 12, 2011.

  1. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    Most threads around here end up taking wandering paths after the first couple of pages of posts anyway, so ask away. There are so many ways to phrase the topic that some things just won't come up in a search . . . believe me, I've searched for things to link to for new members!:biggrin_2559:

    Some people do have negative attitudes towards new people thinking about getting into driving rig. Browse around, and you'll find answers to questions that you didn't know you had!

    As far as earning potential, there are drivers on here that are doing quite well with it, and others that are barely hanging on. Your own lifestyle (toys, gadgets, expenses) have an effect on that. How you run also affects your income. Once you can get your first year or two under your belt, your options open up more.
     
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  3. Prince Roy

    Prince Roy Bobtail Member

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    Hey, cheers for your response. I just found these forums today, so there's a lot of reading in my future. I'm a man of frugal means,so I don't think my lifestyle would be much of an issue. I'm an ant by nature, not a grasshopper.

     
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  4. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Best to read a variety of the different parts of the site , Good , Bad , Experienced , Starting up , even the repair forums to get an overall feel.

    Just realize that its not NEGATIVE to tell the facts about a subject , many use that word if it does not suit the reply they hope to get.

    I have applicants wanting to sign on but after they see the all sides of trucking they change their minds , other's :) and go for it.
     
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  5. leannamarie

    leannamarie "California Girl"

    Also keep in mind that the ones who aren't making a lot of money usually have more time to post than the ones who are making money. Negative people also usually seem to be more vocal.

    Trucking is not just a job, it is a lifestyle. If you aren't up for the lifestyle, it doesn't matter how much money you make. If you love the lifestyle, it doesn't matter how much money you don't make.

    My husband makes more money, about 50% more, than he did as a chef running restaurants for 30 years. Pay is relative, to him it is great but to others it might be a pay cut.
     
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  6. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    Also keep in mind that the ones who aren't making a lot of money usually have more time to post than the ones who are making money

    Not always a true fact , lot of STEADY posters ( some with 25 - 50 posts a day ) are not even truckers , and some are in office jobs related to trucking.
     
  7. Trashtrucker1265

    Trashtrucker1265 Road Train Member

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    I've been at it now for 8 years, I'm 27 years old and have been with my current company for 3 and a half years now. The first 5 years were full of mistakes and misguidance but once I got my head on my shoulders and settled in with my current company, things have been pretty good. I average mid 40's for earnings as a local driver, and that's in Florida, so it's pretty respectable. You have to take advice like "Rerun's" with a grain of salt, he probably has a good point to make but does it in the most negative of ways, kinda like that super trucker with an over modulated connex 3300 pushing 500 watts, you try to listen for a minute but just end up turning the #### thing off, give it a few years out here and you'll completely understand my reference:biggrin_2559:. My point is you're going to get out of this job what you put in to it, don't go in with expectations to high, set yourself a reasonable goal and shoot for it, it might take a few years but you will get there. I honestly believe the only way for someone to "starve" out here is because of lack of effort, I've never once in 8 years had to question how I'm going to pay my bills or keep a roof over my head. A positive mindset will get you far, don't let the naysayers keep you down.
     
  8. misterG

    misterG Road Train Member

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    PR, in the vein of Trash Trucker. The only way to REALLY answer your questions is to do the job.

    Avg. 1st yr salary depending on CO. and miles is about 27k+, a decent CO. will start at around 30K. If that is "pay check to pay check" for your needs, then you will not like it.

    If that is more than you make now, the experience might be alright for you.

    Butt, like ReRun said. You'll work more hours in 1 day than you knew existed and could be worked legally. You will not get Overtime Pay, you will miss your family, You will want to quite within the first 6months. Don't, it will make it harder to keep going.

    Simply put trashtrucker is right. You will have to put forth a mighty effort, but that should reap a mighty reward as well.
     
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  9. jakebrake12

    jakebrake12 Road Train Member

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    Yeah man - I tend to agree with you. Started driving when I was 21 while always being told there was no money to be made and I wouldn't make it. Been with my current employer for about 8 years now and don't see myself going anywhere anytime soon - pretty much retire, become self employed, or get fired for something stupid. I paid my dues while learning from my mistakes and sit pretty well now but I worked hard and smart to get here.
     
  10. U4EA

    U4EA Road Train Member

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    I wasn't going to do this, but decided what the heck. This is how you make HUGE money driving; I'm talking 250K + per year...

    Get a nice tractor (peterbilt 379, KW W900) with heavy specs and at LEAST 475hp, preferably 500-550hp, headache rack, etc. Make sure it's painted black, with dark window tints. You dont have to go to crazy decking it out with lights on the air cans and everywhere - you don't want to be seen anyway.

    "Find" a nice 55 tonish lowbed trailer. Again, aesthetics arent as important as sound mechanical operation. As long as the hydraulics work flawlessly your good.

    Your going to have to practice detaching the gooseneck FAST. Time will be of the essence - practice until you can do it in your sleep.

    Now, here is how the big $$ is made. Cruise around looking for construction sites that have loaders, excavators, bulldozers, etc. Look for the big ones, CAT 966D's - the high dollar equipment. Lockpicking is another skill that can come in handy in trucking; get through the gate and see if there are any keys in your piece of equipment. Hopefully, the keys are in the ignition, if not, most are really easy to pick (again, the correlation between trucking and lockpicking). Start it up, and drive out to where your truck is parked....

    Hopefully, you already detached the lowbed - drive equipment onto the lowbed, chain, tip your hat and go...late weekend nights are the best for this kind of work.

    Anyway, paint certain strategic locations on the equipment, put on eBay, Craigslist, Heavy Truck Trader, etc....you may get $80K plus for 1 nights worth of work. Even neurosurgeons aren't making that in a day!

    Anyway, you may want to get started sooner then a decade. They may do a better job recording VINs on heavy equipment in a decade...

    Hope this helps!
















    LMFAO!!!!!! Kidding!
     
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  11. trucker_101

    trucker_101 Heavy Load Member

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    ..........
     
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