How much $ newbies make

So now trucking is comparable to low-skill factory work?

 

NO NO NO I don't mean to say that. I was making a supporting point to someone earlier saying that what better job could you get without a degree. With that factory job, that is all you will make even after 10 years except when min wage increases of course. With driving, that's the income you get at start and will only go up.

 

Well, I'm not so sure... McDonalds pays minimum wage of 7.25 here so even at 70 hours you're looking at $507 per week gross. Now subtract your tax's and you're looking at even less. BTW, no deductions save for maybe a $100 here or there for odds & ends.

Obviously with trucking, you make almost 50% more for those same hours - about $750 with avg. pay and miles. Plus there's a lot more to use as a tax write-off... thus allowing you to keep more of your money at the end of the year. I won't even go into the fringe benefits of taking breaks when you want/need - no time cards - fresh air - fresh view!

 

Those of you not happy with driving I would recommend you finding something else to do! This guy isn't even a driver and he's complaining. Probably would make a good trucker,huh?

Technically you work 24 hrs a day since you never leave the truck! So how does that calculate in your pay scale?

 

Well technically that truck can be your home too. How does not paying rent and utilities calculate into that scale? =)

 

Now that's funny.


If you take the route that most take out of school you too can be one of those drivers making nothing and depending on one person or a lousy company on what your future will be.

Or, you can get out there and look and find the companies that treat their drivers with respect and give them a future.

The idea is to start out learning, devolop your skills and move up. You won't do that at companies where their turnover rate is way higher than normal. You may gain the skills but your going to work hard to move on. You may even end up with a no so clean driving record then you're really stuck.

If you're like all the others you'll quit that company as soon as you can and go to another. Why not try to find the company where you don't have to move on to make a good living. The only way you're going to do that is get out there and search.

 

Obviously that's the ideal - find a great trucking company that will take you right off the bat. But realistically the only option for the vast majority of recent CDL graduates is going to one of the huge companies. You put in your 6 months to a year or so there, hope you get out unscathed, and then move on to a company with a better reputation/pay/benefits/whatever you find most valuable.

Everyone always says "quit going to the bad companies just find a good one" which is easier said than done in general. Every now and again someone has some connections or something at a good local company but not usually. Even then, unless you really have an in, most of the "better" companies are going to require some experience - which you are probably only going to be able to get at a large carrier.

That's great in theory, but again, much easier said than done. Some people don't have a ton of time on their hands to go out and talk to every driver they can find (really the only way to get a good feel for the company I think). They need a job NOW, and there are always jobs available at the less-desirable (to some) companies.

It's an unfortunate catch-22. Everyone wants to grow up with a great company right from the get-go, but in general it just doesn't happen.

 

You're right. That's why I've said it's good to have at least 6 months pay stashed away. But the way I look at it alot of research is a must and you never want to leave a job until you have another one lined up. Once you jumped into this field you've got to know there's going to be stretches with no money coming in and you must perpare for it. It's all just my opinion but I think I'd have enough put away to look for a good job so I wouldn't settle for a company that's just going to pay the bills.

 

There are so many truth's to allot of the post's here.

One truth is ya never know unless you try. Lot's and I mean ( anymore) Lot's of people come to try it out. It ain't a bad way to try something out. Over 30 grand to start to see if ya like it. Lot"s don't stay long. Maybe they came into this thinking it's all sunshine and roses but then realize hey I actually have to work for this money.

When you first start out you really don't have much to bring to the table. Your willingness to learn and believe in yourself is about all. Do your job, understand the more you go the more you know. Learn to keep the left door shut and overcome the BAD days. The more you do this and gain experience the more you have to bring to the table and move yourself up to better pay.

Knowledge is money, get yours, have fun. Most of all BE SAFE.

 

You're missing the point. You never know unless you go out and find out yourself. I would want to expend ALL my avenues before I just picked up the phone and called a company with a high turnover rate. How many new drivers go out and talk with the people at trucking terminals or talk with companies that are not advertising everywhere? I'll bet the numbers are very low.