How Much Do Truckers Earn?

trucking can be a great way of life or a crappy way of life..its whatever you make of it....get hooked up with a bad co from the start get a bad driving record learn many bad habits you could be stuck in that rut forever...accept constructive critism,listen,learn...keep you record clean get some time in and move onto a better job you could end up witha great career in trucking ...some guys stay out for weeks on end and make 35k a year...the bottom guys where Im at make 60k a year and are home everyday....its just like life..its up to you to make it what you want

 

Great post man - hope some of the younger drivers understand this.

Isn't that the truth.. Once you pay your dues work your way up the board it's a great way to make a living isn't it.. I was that bottom guy at one point and am now over 70% of the way up a 160+ driver board.. Granted, the terminal and the company has grown a lot but I would not trade this spot for another job period..

 

Starting out in the trucking industry is like any other. Time and experience increases your opportunity and pay scale...

Even resident MD's out of med school don't make much $$ initially - especially with student loans.

It's working your way to something better.....

 

gotta put your time in to move up the ladder...I spent five years as the bottom guy(small terminal) I got the shortest trips ( unless it was snowing) sat at home if no trips available ( hog board) forced out on team when needed crappy days off tues-wed made less money the first two years vs what I made at a backyard five truck co I left to come here...crappy start time (1900-2000) talked about quitting alot..one of the old guys kept telling me "be patient, you cant start at teh top" ..i stuck it out ,was it worth it..heck yea!...a little over 5 years into it all ( quite a few) of the old timers retired within a few months of each other...I went from 16 up to 5...thats been about 6 years ago..got my choice of good days off,good start times & good runs..glad i listened to what i was being told by a much wiser driver than myself....

 

I started driving in 1993. Before 2001 there were years where I did the lease/purchase thing, percentage pay, Outlaws-R-Us, and portions of '98 & '99 where I wasn't allowed to drive thing. Beginning in 2001 I worked full time as a company flatbed driver. The only diference between an experienced woman driver and a newbie (or was then anyway) is 2 cpm. In 2001, I made $37,157.00; 2002 total earnings with the same employer was $45,106.00; 2003 earnings with same employer was $51,398.00. In 2004 I switched employers (still just a company driver) and earned $40,637.00. Switched employers again in February 2005 and total earnings for 2005 was $45,941. In 2006 I drove over 120,000 "paid" miles for that same company and my total earnings were $45,941.00. I no longer drive.

I hope this was helpful. During that entire time the only time I absolutely had to have time off was two weeks in 2003 for surgery. The rest of the time was spent running 6 to 8 weeks out and then taking a few days off someplace convenient. Being a single woman with a grown son meant I didn't ask for holidays off or need home time. That said, my earnings could be an unrealistic picture for a newbie with a life. Good luck out there.

 

Moved and started new job last June. Company driver. 5 nights a week, all night driving. Brouight home $1475 every two weeks. Account finished at end of year. Picked up whatever work I could. Lucky to make $700 every two weeks now. Applied to different company for otr position. Gross from $950 to $1150 per week if hired. Ya just never know.

 

I think you can do better than living paycheck to paycheck..but you are not going to get rich by any means. Like others say..its a lifestyle not a job.....and remember if the wheels are not turning you are not earning

 

"How much do truckers earn?" Not Enough.

 

its not that bad

 

i agree with that whole heartedly