what type of OTR pay should a newbie get

lol. I made 36 cents a mile my first year and that was 3 years ago. I could never imagine working for that low of pay, thats a slap in the face, make more at walmart.

 

18 cents a mile, if you manage to average 3000 miles a week

$540 before tax and living expenses on the road

not to mention the inconvenience of living in a truck bringing home $400 a week......you might as well work at burger king

 

Driver, the very least a "Trainee" should be making is a quarter per mile, absolute rock bottom minimum... and even that is a slap in the face, but with the economy the way it is, I suppose it's better than nothing, and you'll be gaining valuable experience which will help you in the future. Frankly, I couldn't see working for any less than, say, $.32/mi., rock bottom, but that's just my opinion, and you know what people say about those... even if you shop at Walmart every week and live frugally on the road (which I don't---live frugally, I mean), it costs money to live out there, and there's no way $.17 or $.18 per mile is gonna cut it, unless you like Top Ramen and buy it by the case or pallet at Sam's Club. Many companies are using this economy as an excuse to drive down wages, but this situation won't last forever... the key to survival is just that: survival. Get through this miserable recession and you'll be able to tackle anything... and with experience under your belt, you'll be in a far better position to haggle over wages, if and when it comes to that. Good companies offer fair wages, that's the bottom line... the two previous posters had it right, you'd be better off slingin' hash or burgers rather than making $.18/mi. On the other hand, experience will pay off later... as adults, we all make choices, the trick is to consider every angle before making your selection. Good luck to you! "Adios!"

 

I started at .34CPM when I got into my own truck. Before that yes you will make under .20 CPM when your at student status and have teacher or trainer in the truck with you.

 

I dunno...me personally, I wouldn't get outta bed for .18 cpm.
Or even .25 cpm for that matter.
But hey, that's just me.
I started in this biz at .26 cpm over 10 years ago!

 

CFI starts their rookies around 34 cents

 

Starting pay once you get your own truck better be 25 cents or more. You can expect to make between 25 and 32 cents from one of the big generic companies (Swift, JB Hunt, Werner, Schneider, etc.) If someone told you that you'll be getting 18 cpm you need to either laugh and walk out the door, or slap them and ask what it REALLY pays

-+

 

I would kick them in the head, maybe knock a little sense into them. The lower paying companies out there start there new drivers around .30CPM.