How Much Do Truckers Earn?

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

  1. Prince Roy

    Prince Roy Bobtail Member

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    Hey guys! Just joined up today. I know the old-timers may consider me a naive dunderhead, but I've been drawn to the trucker life for as long as I can remember. I love driving and being on the road. Yes, I know doing it for a living is an entirely different ballgame. That's why I'm here: to learn from the pros.

    My questions are these: what can I reasonably expect to earn in this profession? Do any of you feel you are getting ahead through otr driving? Are you able to save up for retirement? Build a decent nest egg? Can I hope for more than just to make ends meet?

    I've got a good career now, so if I ever make this leap, it would be in about 10 years, and be a second career.

    Anyway, props to all of you out there! You don't get the credit you deserve a lot of the time, but there are a good number of us out here who admire truckers and longingly steal looks into our rear-views when we pass you guys on the highways...
     
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  3. bleach driver

    bleach driver Light Load Member

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    25 years 1 ex wife and 2.5 million miles and a small fleet of trucks . I can say the pay isn't like it used to be ( I made 70K a year in 95 working 55 hours a week , and my last year I made 42K working 70 hours a week same type of work ) , you will make more in a warehouse or at Mc donalds if you keep track of your hours
     
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  4. fairshake

    fairshake Road Train Member

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    We are very underpaid for the total amount of time spent on the road and obligation we have which is basically 24/7 for our equipment. This coming from a company driver.
     
    Prince Roy Thanks this.
  5. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Learn spanish !!!!
     
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  6. Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

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    here we go, another one...


    yep, here we go again, like we ain't heard this before....


    uh...huh...

    you can expect to work LONG hours for what will ultimately turn out to be less that the national set minimum wage, are you ready to be working from paycheck to paycheck..??


    you NEVER get a head.....


    no....there is never enough for you after you live on the road for a week or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 at a time..you will spend more than you have to, to survive..

    the only "egg" you will get, is the $2.00 egg at the truck stop


    ABSOLUTELY....!! you can hope, dream, wish, pray.....

    then you had better smarten up, and keep your FIRST career.

    i'll take what i can get.

    and YOU THINK that when YOU become a trucker, you WILL get "props" too...??


    no you don't, "a good number of you" steal looks in the rear view mirror when you cut us off and laugh at us as we have to back off and not slam into your arse....
     
    Bazerk Wizz Bang! Thanks this.
  7. Prince Roy

    Prince Roy Bobtail Member

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    Mar 12, 2011
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    Sorry to see you've gotten your knickers in a twist, Rerun, but I posted my questions in good faith. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you're having a bad day. Thanks for taking the time to reply. I guess.


     
  8. FLATBED

    FLATBED Road Train Member

    According to some posters they made MEGA $ , ( 1 super hero on here drove for 14 years , retired to Florida in his mid 30's ) others got into it to try and make a living as they were flat broke and are not much better now.

    In reality the good $ jobs are far and few between if your just starting out , thats 1 reason the big turn over with the big companies.

    It is not the dream job that many dream about when that Chromed out PETERMOBILE slides by in the outside lane , on the dry highway , nice sunny day.
     
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  9. Prince Roy

    Prince Roy Bobtail Member

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    yeah, that's becoming more and more apparent. I know it's not an easy life, but I was just hoping it was possible to earn a decent living. Paycheck to paycheck is not going to do it for me.

     
  10. Rockin&Rollin

    Rockin&Rollin Heavy Load Member

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    I’m new here myself and yes, lots of great people and information here and my reading previous threads, I’ve found all the answers you are asking for (not saying you should not ask again, only the answers you are looking for are here if you want to find them another way. The search feature works well)

    Anyway, asking about something that you are not considering starting for another decade would be impossible for even an expert to answer! A good phychic would be your best bet for this question!
     
    Prince Roy Thanks this.
  11. Prince Roy

    Prince Roy Bobtail Member

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    Mar 12, 2011
    kerrville texas
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    yeah, you're right about searching, but when I wrote the thread title no matches came up so I thought I was good to go. My bad on that. Maybe Admin should make a 'Docked' thread for these kinds of questions. They could call it: "So You Want To Be a Trucker..."

     
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