Expected income, first year truths?

Since no one answered this for you I will take a shot. I think realasticly 30 to 40 per year sounds about right for your first year or two but on the flip side, if you happen to get on with a good company its possible to make 40 or 50 your first year. There are so many variables to consider its really hard to say. The company you work for, your dispatcher (is he having a bad hair day?), freight volumes for said company, how hard do you want to work, regional, OTR, local, dedicated? Dont forget to include your benifits in with your wages. I guess the most important part is who you will be working for, that will answer most of your questions

 

The numbers that they are listing for first yuear income seem about right. it's better that they are posting real numbers rather than pie in the sky numbers to make it look better than it really is.

There are a lot of factors that go into making up the first year income, and some of them combine to lower the numbers a bit. While you are still new at this, your dispatchers will probably allow more time for you to make a delivery than an experienced driver, which loweres your earnings a bit. And the dispatchers are not going to be willing to put some of the more valuable freight behind you until they have a feel for how you run and how dependable you are. That's not an intent to slam the rookie as much as it is a logical response on their part to limit the risks of the freight not getting to where it needs to be when it needs to be there. And you take more time to do things, simpley because they are unfamiliar tasks. You may get near the destination and spend a half an hour searching for the place, whereas later on it's familiar territory and you get that time back. You simply become more productive as time goes on and that affects how you run and your income.

I know everyone wants to make high dollars right away, but it's no different from any other industry, where there is a learning curve and the pay increases with experience. And in realistic terms, a mid 30's income is not really that bad. I spent 20 years in the Navy, and you should have seen the hours I put in for 24k a year! It takes a little bit of time and effort to gain the experience needed, but once you have that, a good income can be made.

 

I believe it has a lot to do with not only what company but also how did you obtain your CDL. Let me explain.

Drivers like me who use company sponsored CDL training make les per mile for the first several months. The company I am going with offers a good example there.

Company paid training drivers start at .26 a mile.

Recent school grads that paid for their own CDL start at .33 a mile. Plus recieve a $500 sign on bonus.

Most companies have similar programs. So when they say 'first year drivers can earn $xxxxx' I think it is most likely reffering to the highest possible earnings. In this case the grad that got his/her own CDL. Using company paid training I expect to make around 30k my first year out, but I would not be shocked to find that lower because of the program I choose to use. But let's examine those nyumbers for a second.

At .33 a mile you would gross $8400 more than I would. **Based on an average of 120,000 miles a year** So if my estimate of making 30k in the first year is anywhere close then in reality 38-40k for first year is possible for a driver who did not use company paid schooling. That many miles however would mean either better weekly miles than most advertise or less home time than some may want. If a company says for example you can expect 2500 miles a week, that would equate to 130,000 miles a year. Leaving only 4 weeks a year off. I think the average is closer to 12 weeks a year home. Leaving a diff of 20,000 miles a driver would have to make above the advertised average in order to hit the 120,000 a year mark and still have his regular home time.

Ok I dont know about you but now I'm confused

 

have to disagree here. first year is about low 20s. you can get in the 30's the second year. it will go up a few grand each year til about 37-38 then it's at a stalemate then it will jump to over 40.

 

To me the low 20's sounds unreasonably low Tom, when I started driving, about the same time as you, that would have even been a low first year wage

 

Depends on what company you're working for. If its a newbie company expect 25k-30k, if you make more great if you make less something is wrong. If you aren't making 55k your second year something is wrong.

 

i'm just trying to put it in perspective for him. first yr is very low wages. look at what these places are paying new people. anywhere from .26 - 30 cpm. that sucks to say the least . and at 2000 miles a week on average thats only 520 - 600 $ a week before taxes. so say 400-500$ clear times 52 is what......just over 20 grand. now pay the bills at home and take care of momma at the house at what does that leave you to live out of a truck. ok my numbers might be a little low butt you see my point. peeople think they are gonna get rich thhere first year doing this and it's just not gonna happen. it takes time and if they just want money then get a job and be home every night.