What will I earn

Truckerjo,

Just a few questions for you. You stated that when you first started, you made a little over 40K your first year. Since you have 5 years experience now, has it gotten any better pay wise? Also, 40K seems OK until you factor in the cost of living out of your truck. With the cost of food, toiletries, laundry, cell phone, scales, tolls etc? Does it justify it? How much time did you spend away from family or friends to make this 40K?

I am sure your answers will help many drivers.

Drive safe

 

I'll be waiting for his answer. You would think his/her pay would increase yearly.

 

Get with a good company that will run you second seat to a seasoned driver for a while. Making money in this business is not taught in the schools, I know as I taught at a driver school for quite a while. Planning your trips, which trips to take, (unless forced dispatch), legally "working" your log book and many other things that can influence how much you make can only be taught OJT by a seasoned driver. Six months with a real pro will be time well spent. If after two years you are not making $55-60+ you are with the wrong company.

 

good luck making 45K in your first yr outta school. my first yr outta school i made a lil less than 35K, but my second yr i was a lil above 50K gross. also, for the poster asking about the cost of living outta the truck, i use a 40 quart coleman 12 volt cooler and keep food/drinks there. making sandwiches is a lot cheaper than buying food. also, as a company driver, any decent company will reimburse the cost of scales/tolls so this money that may be spent outta pocket upfront should be back soon.