Hi I'm currently working in the computer field and I'm thinking about leaving to go OTR truck driving. I feel that will make more money doing this than I would if I stay in the computer field. Any one else on the same boat??

i'm working on a B.S. in computer science to get out of trucking, and try something else, in trucking you will make about 45k a year, if u want to do trucking and u make more in computers drive a semi as a vacation from computers for 6 months then go back to what u did before that would work out but unless u fall totally n love with driving a semi its a rough industry

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There are Old Truckers and there are Bold Truckers, But there are no Old Bold Truckers.

do you drive OTR? What are you studying exactly? I have a Bachelors Degree in Computer Information Systems and I have been working in the field for about 2 years.

well i have 72hrs in Air Traffic Control management and i couldn't afford to finish my BS in that degree (13k a semester) so i am attending AIU online, for the BS and I'm not totally sure i was thinking about programing or web design but i don't know what either career is like....

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There are Old Truckers and there are Bold Truckers, But there are no Old Bold Truckers.

Did you go OTR?

Yeah that pic in my Signature is my Truck pulling a walmart trailer, i Drive OTR and have been for 3 years, i drive about 130-140,000 miles a year I'm normally out on the road 330 days a year and take 35 days off through out the year

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There are Old Truckers and there are Bold Truckers, But there are no Old Bold Truckers.

I studied computer programming and it is tough to get a job because there are too many programmers all ready and most jobs require 3 - 5 years of experience. I currently work for Western Digital and the position is Tech Support. I'm considering going into trucking to pay off my student loans. Getting frustrated with the computer field at this time. I've been hearing that after you have 1 year of OTR you can make some really good money. I was considering going with Schneider to start off. I currently make $18 an hour at Western Digital.

thats about the same you will be making driving a semi i think last year i made 48k and worked 9.75hrs a day for 335 days, with 1 day off a week out for 34hr restart, so that makes 47.85 weeks so subtract 48 days that comes up to 287 days working an average of 9.75 hrs a day to earn 48,000.00

that comes up to 2798.25 work hours that comes up to $17.15 per hour

but there are also other benefits you get driving a truck i enjoy the scenery this country has to offer, go to places you otherwise would have never been lol, its a totally different career field from any 9-5 its a 24hr a day job, you may start monday out getting up at 7am to go to work, and by friday your getting up at 8:30pm and driving for 11hrs for a saturday morning delivery.... there are very stressful days (traffic/weather) WINTER is beautiful, but dangerous if your not careful, i enjoy driving in the snow and ice, but it's hazardous, some deadlines make your life stressful

your paycheck will fluctuate from week to week for example 3 weeks ago i made 1,800 gross for that week then the next week i grossed 980.00 and this is probably the only industry u can earn a Negative pay check, your paid purely on productivity, and u cannot effect your productivity you are dependent on another person to give you the loads for you to earn a paycheck

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There are Old Truckers and there are Bold Truckers, But there are no Old Bold Truckers.

You can also work 2 more jobs on the side now, where as when you are on the road, that is the only job you can have logically. And it will be hard. And its future is in question like everything else.

You better stick with the bird in the bush, and look for something to supplement your income. One accident and a ticket, and that career can come crashing to a halt. Driving jobs are serious business for Professionals only.

But that's just one man's opinion

In IT now, looking too. I would make more money as a trucker I think too. Currently I make about 32-35 a year. Plus my department could be obsolete in a year or two.