How Much Can I Make Truck Driving?

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by Christensen, May 27, 2011.

  1. dave26027

    dave26027 Road Train Member

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    Sep 10, 2009
    Dallas, Texas
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    If you want to be an O/O with no driving experience, there's no way you're going to make 500.00 a week. You've got to get settled in first and learn the ropes. Anyone taking home that much money as a micro business owner is not paying income tax, or driving over the HOS limit. The IRS or the DOT or both will catch up to them. For a couple of years, they might brag about making big bucks and they will spend every bit of it until the IRS seizes their bank accounts. Then they have to stay current on their quarterly IRS tax payments while they pay Uncle Sam the unpaid taxes (with a heavy penalty) in monthly payments. This usually leads to bankruptcy. You can run illegal and pile on the miles- until you get audited by the State or Federal DOT. Just like the IRS, the transportation auditors turn over every rock, check every receipt, right down to checking a truckstop's security cam to make sure you were at the fuel desk when you said you were buying fuel. Point is, you're screwed. The government will spend any amount of money to put together a valid case to convict you.
    Truthfully, you're probably a bit like me, I don't like to be told what to do and how it should be done. (So I got a slight problem with authority). I'm trapped in trucking like all the other dummies who thought it would be a temporary job. I took a lot of abuse, punishment and humiliation from JB Hunt in the 80's and early 90's. I only made it this far because up until about 2001 we could all run as many miles as we wanted. If I couldn't make 3 or 4 thousand miles a week, it would have sent me to the poor house. Today we have less bills and more experience. I can survive on 15,000.00 a year. After taxes, that's what you will be making after overhead, and travel expenses. Don't forget downtime for breakdowns and repairs. You'll need a hotel room while the shop SLOWLY fixes your truck. It costs me 86.00 every day whether working or not to be a leased O/O. You'll have 8 to 12 weeks of shop time a year, staying in a hotel that'll usually cost 70 to 90 dollars a day on top of your fixed costs, on top of your lost revenue, on top of your repair bill.
    You might end up in the hotel bar to drown your sorrows and brag about making 150,000.00 a year, but you're spending your last dollars for drinks before the money runs out.
    My friend, I might want to trade places with you. Doing tatts has got to be better than trucking. You might (or might not) enjoy a toke once in awhile. It's your business, but we have random testing here. One positive test and you're out of a career. Unlucky you if there's a truck payment attached to your life because you'll have no way to drive the equipment that's costing you 86.00 a day.
    And, if you like a cold beer for lunch, that's another No-No here.
    Anyway, if you REALLY want into trucking you MUST know that 97% of drivers that become O/O's fail in the first few years. If you're one of the 3% that survives, chances are that you're only getting by and barely paying the bills. Like the rest of us, you'll have to go without health insurance and retirement to make sure there's enough money left for food.
    Honestly- doing tatts HAS to be the better deal.
     
    Christensen Thanks this.
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  3. TachItUp

    TachItUp Light Load Member

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    Apr 27, 2011
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    I can't imagine starting off as an O/O without experience. What if you hate trucking after a few months?

    You are not gonna get rich. You can't really run hard anymore with most companies. You are at the mercy of your dispatcher as far as miles go.
     
  4. Frenzy

    Frenzy Medium Load Member

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    Mar 24, 2008
    Seattle, WA
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    This link will take you to the government stats on truck driving.

    http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm

    The median wage is about $38K or about $730 a week (gross before taxes etc). As a new driver you will likey gross about $25K your first year, and get to median wage in about 3 years as a company driver (my estimate).

    Driving has worked out for me, I became a lease operator about 6 months after going solo. An owner has much more control of their life, provided they own the truck. Too often the truck (or the leasing company) owns the driver.

    good luck.
     
  5. Bent Wrench

    Bent Wrench Medium Load Member

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    Cornholio, OR
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    Depends on which lease purchase plan you sign up for! :biggrin_25523:
     
  6. virgil tatro

    virgil tatro Medium Load Member

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    Mar 26, 2010
    columbus montana
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    as an owner operator i made alot. as a company driver living in montana not so much.. 500 per week is not even worth my time. with my own truck pulling a step deck leased to the right company i took home more in a week than i did as a company driver in a month...
     
  7. Christensen

    Christensen Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2011
    West Palm Beach, Fl.
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    I plan on going with my brother for Six weeks, after that school, and then decide how I will start my career...I already know I don't hate trucking, so thats not a worry for me...I could do a lease/purchase deal..Or drive company...MY goal is to get on with Shcnieder, have to wait to see what's offered to me and my choices....And which are the right one's for me...
     
  8. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    Anyone who comes out here, and only makes $500 a week,

    YOU are part of the problem.

    Get off your duff, find a decent outfit, and make some decent money.

    Yes, I'm talking first year drivers.

    Ask American-Trucker, or JimTheHut,

    they will tell you how to make money !!!!!
     
    Dna Mach and American-Trucker Thank this.
  9. Christensen

    Christensen Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2011
    West Palm Beach, Fl.
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    No toking here,,,cold beer once in awhile yes..but not for lunch. lol....You would think doing tats would be better than trucking, BUT, I can't stand the general public anymore...Poeple just suck...they are rude, cheap and most of them are just plain stupid...Your right I have a problem with authority...I like to call the Shots...I realize you can't always do that...but at least I would feel like i am with my own truck...Even if its a lease/purchase....Shcnieder seems like a good company and thats where I want to be...Not worried about home time, my family is all grown up...I will be 40 yrs old and feel I have the business mind to make it...And I am not lazy...I don't mind working my ### off to make it...as long as I am making it....There are no benefits here either, and if you don't mind only making $200 a week most of the time, sure tattooing is a better deal, but after almost 12yrs...I have had it...It just ain't what it use to be....The way i figure it is,,,If I don't try,,,I'm already in the 97% that don't make it already....I really want to drive...
     
    Last edited: May 31, 2011
  10. Christensen

    Christensen Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2011
    West Palm Beach, Fl.
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    I wish it was that easy...but gov. regs in tattooing too...:biggrin_2554:
     
  11. Licensed to kill

    Licensed to kill Heavy Load Member

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    Dec 31, 2010
    Alberta
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    I pay my drivers $360 per day, room and board provided but that is only in the winter. My brother pays $27 per hour, that's year 'round and is currently 4-5 days on and 4-5 days off but has trucks parked and is turning down work for lack of drivers. A friend of mine does the lease purchase deal and his guys on the lease/purchase program make about $120,000 per year after all expenses but before taxes. He too, is always short of drivers. However, Alberta and Florida/Georgia are worlds apart so what we are doing here is likely irrelevant.
     
    Christensen Thanks this.
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