How realistic is it to make 75-80k a year eventually?

Long story short, I have been at my current job for 10 years. I make $26 an hour, but work a good deal of overtime. It adds up to $75k a year, give or take a few k.

This is not a humble brag thread. $75k isn’t a fortune. I just want to know how realistic it is that I’d be able to get back up to that level within a few years. I have zero driving experience and live near Chicago. If I’m going to make 45-55k a year for a while, it will be hard to take that much of a pay cut.

Over the last 5 years, my average work week has been 55h, so I’m not afraid of hard work or long hours. I don’t drink, smoke or do any drugs. I’m a motivated person. I have a family, so eventually I would want a local job where I’m home every night.

Does this sound like a good move for me, or would it be pretty hard to reach or exceed my current salary? Is there any way to know if it’s for you before you jump right in? I have no desire to be an owner operator, and I have zero mechanical aptitude if the truck breaks down. Probably not a good thing, but I’m honest.

Thanks

 

Keep your current job. And you don't have to thank me for the great advice since you would not be able to know the hell on earth you were guided away from.

 

Was in the middle of typing the same thing!!

 

Is the money not there for anyone, or is it a seniority thing where the old timers get first dibs? I’m not the best or smartest guy out there, but I have a great work ethic. I’m not going to sell my soul or break the law, but are my expectations unrealistic or just not a guarantee? I work with guys who make 120k a year because they work 80+ hours every week. I assumed trucking would be like that where there is as much work as someone wants or can handle. Sorry if I am naive.

 

75k is a reasonable number, and it comes down to this
The company you are with. It may take a year or two to get that. You might see high 50s to start, then go up.
Mega starter and 2nd chance companies will be lower up front and will take a while longer to get in the top ranges.

 

You can save yourself by keeping a decent "regular job", but it's too late for me.

 

Thanks. How long/lucky do you have to be to make 75k while driving in town and home every night? I’m not against over the road, but my youngest won’t be 18 for 10 more years. I think I’m probably asking for way too much, but that’s why I’m here so I don’t waste anyone’s time.

 

You're leaving out all the crap one has to put up with [to gain experience and develop worth] to get these rather unusual gross wages. Even once you finally get into a good position, the amount of day to day incidental crap NEVER STOPS.

 

I have a decent job, but for some reason I’ve been thinking about driving a truck for a while. It’s not “in my blood” or any of that, but it seems like it could be rewarding. Probably give some of the old timers a good laugh at my blind positivity lol.

 

That’s what I’m asking. I don’t know how any of the industry works. Where I am at now, even the most lazy person there will make 55k a year from some incremental forced overtime. If you’re willing to sell your soul, you can make 125k a year. I’m not lazy, but also not willing to sell my soul for any job.

I don’t know the numbers, but I assumed the average driver would make 55k a year and then up from there depending on work ethic and a little luck with company.

 

There's drivers that post on here that claim they make more than $75K and home every day driving for food service companies. I think one of the moderators said he makes $90K and home every day. Maybe he'll read this and chime in.
There's some tanker jobs where you can start out at around $60K - $65K the first year, then gradually move on up from there. Some Trimac Transportation drivers, after 24 months, are making well over $100K, but that's long haul running coast to coast.
I think you're just burned out and need a change in career and life; that's not unusual if you have the wanderlust to leave a comfort zone.