Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

The chance of getting a high paying trucking job

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by lupe, Feb 12, 2011.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Feb 12, 2011 #1
    lupe

    lupe Medium Load Member

    396
    10
    Sep 4, 2008
    Michigan (close to Detroit)
    0
    Last Summer I asked what's the company that pays the most and people said that you shouldn't do trucking for money because you will not earn much, and they gave me the feeling that I would earn 27k first year and then not much after that?

    But now I read about people doing tankers, LTL linehauls, UPS, earning 50, 60, 70k, 80k, and that you can get these jobs with a year or two of experience. All this sounded too good to be true because I was under the impression that you can earn like 30-40k for a few years before saving enough money to buy your own truck and then make about 70k as Owner Operor.

    So how do you explain this?:
    1. It is very hard to get into LTL linehauls etc that pays really high; you need connections and/or _____
    2. You will have very good chance landing these high paying job as long as you have good records with at least a year of experience, and the people who were saying that you won't make good money in trucking were just saying that because it seemed like I was greedy.
    3. Other:________________
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2011
    lupe, Feb 12, 2011
    lupe, Feb 12, 2011
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. Feb 12, 2011 #2
    18wheelin

    18wheelin Bobtail Member

    2
    2
    Feb 12, 2011
    Byron Center, Mi
    0
    Lupe, Here is my opinion. I think that most truck drivers earn about $40,000-$50,000 per year. Some union drivers make a little more. The trick is to find a good company and stick with it. The longer you stay at a job the better it gets if it's a good company. The guy's that jump around never seem to get anywhere. Money is not the only consideration though. Dispatchers, types of runs, hometime, and equipment are also importment.
     
    18wheelin, Feb 12, 2011
    18wheelin, Feb 12, 2011
    #2
    rocknroll nik and Lurchgs Thank this.
  4. Feb 12, 2011 #3
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,675
    12,230
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    OK. I'm thinking how to put this into words. There are a ton of variables in job hunting in the trucking biz. First off, you need a good record. Second, a good paying job may not be for you. Example; local fuel delivery (gasoline), 12 hour shifts, work on holidays/weekends/graveyard etc. But, normally it pays good. But can also be dangerous. So, if you're a new Mom and newly married, do you want to work nights and holidays ? Even if it pays good ?

    Next, competition. That's at the hiring level. You apply for the job and so do 25 other drivers, many with 15 years experience. You won't stand a chance.

    Sometimes though, you will get hired on, but will be low on the ladder and will get just minimal hours for a long time, until you work your way up. Could take years. So the chances of applying and getting hired for an excellant job are slim, until you get loads of experience.
     
    Allow Me., Feb 12, 2011
    Allow Me., Feb 12, 2011
    #3
    lupe, chopper103in, Rollover the Original and 1 other person Thank this.
  5. Feb 13, 2011 #4
    chopper103in

    chopper103in Road Train Member

    2,407
    6,562
    Apr 11, 2010
    Crossville,Tn
    0



    Well said:biggrin_255:
     
    chopper103in, Feb 13, 2011
    chopper103in, Feb 13, 2011
    #4
  7. Feb 13, 2011 #5
    PainNdaNeck

    PainNdaNeck Light Load Member

    165
    55
    Jan 19, 2011
    0
    :biggrin_25515:i was wodering when lupe was going to ask yet another question....
     
    PainNdaNeck, Feb 13, 2011
    PainNdaNeck, Feb 13, 2011
    #5
    Rerun8963, Texas-Nana and rocknroll nik Thank this.
  8. Feb 13, 2011 #6
    Kittyfoot

    Kittyfoot Crusty Ancient

    2,092
    3,056
    Sep 21, 2009
    Sorrento, Louisiana
    0
    Remember too that those "high dollar" jobs don't have much in the way of turnover. Those who have em seem to keep em for some odd reason.
     
    Kittyfoot, Feb 13, 2011
    Kittyfoot, Feb 13, 2011
    #6
    Rollover the Original, rocknroll nik, Lonesome and 1 other person Thank this.
  9. Feb 13, 2011 #7
    Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

    11,158
    22,880
    Dec 15, 2007
    Northern Indiana
    0
    First off, what do you consider "high paying"?

    For an above average paying driving job, union jobs, or a job with a private carrier is your best bet.
     
    Lonesome, Feb 13, 2011
    Lonesome, Feb 13, 2011
    #7
  10. Feb 13, 2011 #8
    Buckeye 'bedder

    Buckeye 'bedder Road Train Member

    1,043
    440
    Sep 26, 2010
    Nowhere
    0
    Asking questions is how we can learn things, is it not?
     
    Buckeye 'bedder, Feb 13, 2011
    Buckeye 'bedder, Feb 13, 2011
    #8
  11. Feb 13, 2011 #9
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

    6,237
    4,291
    Jun 29, 2009
    Dueling Banjoville
    0

    70K as a O/O? Who told you that? I'll be honest, I grossed $226,667.00 last year. $170,000.00 of that was paid to me. After all my expenses, deductions, & paying taxes I netted $14,000.00
     
    REDD, Feb 13, 2011
    REDD, Feb 13, 2011
    #9
    rocknroll nik Thanks this.
  12. Feb 13, 2011 #10
    lupe

    lupe Medium Load Member

    396
    10
    Sep 4, 2008
    Michigan (close to Detroit)
    0
    You mean 140,000?
     
    lupe, Feb 13, 2011
    lupe, Feb 13, 2011
    #10
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

    • Page 1 of 4