How are people making good money?

Here's another good example of real life. You come home from work, the wife says the clothes washer went out today. When you start the truck to go get some parts for the washer, the check engine light comes on.....lol

 

I found some old settlements where I was making .30cpm in 1990 at JB Hunt. That's .53 in todays dollars.

 

There's money out here, and new ambitious drivers can make it. I've had a few rough weeks lately (breakdown, overweight loads, etc) but I'm still on pace to make $64k this year. I started 14 months ago. (Don't know if you consider that good money, but I do) If you want to complain, feel free, we all do it. Otherwise consider the following:
1. STOP FIGURING HOURLY WAGE! I've never been paid an hourly wage and don't want to be paid as such. I've made either commission or salary plus performance bonus. When you're out here you are realistically dedicating every minute to the job. Even when you're off duty for the night, you're not free to roam. Why count the hours? Count weeks, months, and years. Insightful thought: how many wealthy people have ever told you what they make per hour? Those who make money don't think in hours. I should know, I've always made above average pay and more than both my working peers and my friends.
2. Do your job to the best of your abilities. This means on time, every time. This means getting on your dm for another load once you are within 24 hours of delivering. This means conducting yourself in a professional manner, most especially in regards to your communication with your carrier. Make sure you know what your dm/fm wants and deliver it wrapped in a bow.
3. Once you've proven your worth as an asset to the company, ask them for something better. Dedicated accounts take all forms. Some can get you home more frequently, some run you longer miles, some have guaranteed minimum miles, and most have a higher pay grade than a basic company driver.
4. Finally, don't job hop. Find a good fit and stick with them for at least a year before you start looking for a new employer. When it comes time to move on you will look like a more stable candidate.

Obviously I don't know you or how you operate, but if you're not making money one of these suggestions will likely help. Good luck out there.

 

Just a note to guys who want to break down every hour you are in a truck as working time. 59 dollars a day per diem is nothing to sneeze at. Whether you take it now or on your taxes that is a massive benefit. The simple fact is that few jobs with low barriers to entry and low training requirements pay as much as driving a truck.

For those too stupid or too lazy to find a job making 50k+ in this industry I don't know what to tell you.

 

If you are otr company driver don't expect to make decent paycheck i suck it at werner for a year my last paycheck was 350 as a company driver then i switch over to Jb dcs im making 1050 or more before taxes but all my deliveries are nyc, nd everywhere tight space that means all you have to do is to get ur endorsements and start looking for a local or regional job instead of playing games, buying expensive things at the truck stop. Me personally i wouldn't go otr for no danm company unless i have my own truck because otr is sucks, dipatchers are playing games with the miles and everything. I feel bad for my fellow truckers homeless hang in a truck stop for what no load and away from home that's stress.

 

There is a huge load of money out there if ya wanna find it. I am not bragging but stating true facts here... I have 3 trucks, run 1 myself. My drivers make approx $31/hr being paid on a % of the truck and yes, they work 10+ hrs a day up to 15 or even more at times. My truck nets me approx $25k/month after fuel and thats working an 8 days on 4 days off schedule. The big secret nowadays is that the money is not on the highway, its offroad.

The biggest thing though is that ya gotta earn yer stripes and do the dirty work before being privelaged with an easier life...we all have had to do that.

 

I live Westminster ca,but I park my truck industry ca,Westminster ca want $350 a month

 

Absolutely nothing wrong with OTR if thats what you want. However who's making money? Pretty much anyone in the LTL segment. I know of plenty of kids (LOL 21 year olds) fresh out of driving school hired by LTL outfits making well over $50,000 their first year who are home daily or nightly. I would highly recommend LTL to anyone. No these outfits wont throw bags of money at you, you will earn it. Come friday nite such as now, i am literally beat down. However i can afford a mortgage on my own and own a nice vehicle and have a decent life. And yes you can do the same driving OTR but dont expect it your first year.

 

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Drivers living in the southern states can afford a decent home and pay the property taxes . I don't see how drivers living in the NE or CA can afford to drive for the same pay .