Percentage v. CPM

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by acMinion, Dec 10, 2019.

  1. acMinion

    acMinion Bobtail Member

    48
    33
    Nov 24, 2019
    Fort Hood, TX
    0
    Hey everyone,

    So I understand the basics of CPM and percentage base pay, but I’m trying to figure out what the best route is. I’ve heard it both ways, CPM is better and vise versa. I’m trying to make an informed decision on which route I want to take. I know CPM is based on how much you drive, keep the door shut and wheels rolling, and percentage is load dependent. Which would YOU as an experienced driver opt for and why?
    Thanks y’all!
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

    34,017
    42,098
    Mar 5, 2016
    White County, Arkansas
    0
    You, me and the cheap seats will NEVER know the true fact related to THAT income.

    Boss Sourfinger and his Broker are the only two people who will ever know. YOU get a payroll slip 25% of nothing gross. Your gross is your gross minus withholding on the end of your check. When

    You will know nothing in the beginning , middle and ending of the payroll side of the company other than what they give you.; Or in this case grudgently hand over to you.
     
    Texas_hwy_287 and acMinion Thank this.
  4. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

    13,439
    34,299
    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
    0
    i worked (briefly) for an o/o when i first started out. (and never, ever did that crap again)

    he paid on a 1099 (which i didn't know much about back then)

    and he paid a percentage of THE LOAD.....

    he paid 0% of an empty trailer...

    i'd rather have CPM, and get paid, loaded or EMPTY.....
     
  5. Petty Cash

    Petty Cash Light Load Member

    106
    125
    Jan 12, 2013
    Pennsylvania
    0
    I always did a good bit better on percentage, even with its flaws. Biggest being you're only making a percentage of what they tell you it paid, and DH miles are generally for free.
     
    Texas_hwy_287, acMinion and buddyd157 Thank this.
  6. Mid-May Trucker

    Mid-May Trucker Road Train Member

    1,119
    2,077
    Oct 23, 2018
    0
    Percentage works for certain types of trailers probably not dry van though.
     
    acMinion Thanks this.
  7. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

    13,439
    34,299
    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
    0
    and if they dead head a few times/miles, (which happened to me) any money on the next load, simply does not entirely cover your costs of living on the road. (i had no fridge, cooking stove, microwave back then....) heck, not inverters as i recall as well
     
    acMinion Thanks this.
  8. WesternPlains

    WesternPlains Road Train Member

    6,224
    47,442
    Sep 1, 2017
    0
    Really isn't that one way is better. They can screw you either way. Depends on the integrity of the company.
     
  9. acMinion

    acMinion Bobtail Member

    48
    33
    Nov 24, 2019
    Fort Hood, TX
    0
    So here's a little more on the specifics. I'm looking at an entry level carrier. Flatbed to get my feet wet. TMC and Melton are my top picks at the moment. TMC pays cpm anything traveled 150+ miles as the crow flies, if its to pick up a load, percentage otherwise. Melton is CPM. Being military, I will be able to use their OTJ training for my GI bill, both offer tuition reimbursement, training pay is only a $30 difference between the 2. TMC offers 34 hour reset at home every weekend. Melton, every 7 days out is 24 hours home. they roll over so I can use them as I want. I know there's no "perfect" job, especially coming out of the gate, I'm just trying to set myself up the best way that I can.
     
  10. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

    13,439
    34,299
    May 25, 2017
    under a shade tree
    0
    well being both well known companies (you really should have told us up front), i'd still stick with CPM. the time at home is what you need or want. personally, i'd not want to be on the road weeks at a time...
     
    FlaSwampRat Thanks this.
  11. acMinion

    acMinion Bobtail Member

    48
    33
    Nov 24, 2019
    Fort Hood, TX
    0
    Wouldn't that mean the percentage with TMC and home for my 34 hours would be better? But I guess you mean more of actual days off instead of a reset. I only ask bc with Melton, more days out means more days off. As opposed to TMC 5 days out reset at home most weekends.

    I should have originally posted the two companies I was looking at, didn't even think about it until I replied:violent1:
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.