Pay $$$$

starting out might be a bit tough to hit that mark consistently...
we all need to get through the rookie stage...and some learn faster then others
a lot of factors will play a key roll on how quickly you get to your goal
and you have a lot of research ahead of you ...

look for a school that will not cost you a lot of money.......you have several options
company sponsored schools
government grants
or take out a loan

then land at a company that pays the most ... rookies can start from 19 cpm to 29 cpm ...
then learn how to keep the left door closed and run your butt off ... keeping it legal ...

you have a lot to learn... good luck

 

Starting out it's not very realistic at all to make a steady income especially starting out.Blame that on your dispatcher not giving you consistant miles,blame the shippers and receivers for making drivers sit from one hr to all day at times.Blame brk downs.Many things factor in to your pay.

 

Thats 50k a year gross. You can make that if you dont settle for a mega

 

If your single with no kids, why are you paying for rent when your never home? When your otr your only home 4 times a month. Unless you have a family to support. I suggest leaving your belongings in storage or at a familys house. I'm 22 years old, only bills I have is phone, car insurance, health insurance, food. No rent,water,utilities, to pay.I'm steadily saving up my money.

 

The biggest factor in how much you make will always be you... and you cant just look at cpm... for example I worked for a small outfit and made .05cmp more than I do now... but, my weekly paychecks are better now even though I make less per mile.... main reason, I am not waiting for loads so I can get miles...

At any company... there sre drivers that are making money and thoes that are not... there are drivers at the megas who are earning good paychecks, just as there are drivers at smaller companies going broke...

I am with werner... I am doing good here.. but, I also know drivers who are not.. at every company there is a way to succeed... it isnt the same for each company... with one company OTR may be the way to make money, with another company OTR may suck and you should go Regional.. or dedicated...

What you need to do, is figure out how you want to roll... OTR, Regional, Dedicated.. Reefer, Flatbed, Van, Tanker.. then research what companies offer you the best way to succeed...

Too many new drivers are as good a career planning as they are at trip planning.. and they wonder why they run into low clearences, miss exits or just plain get lost..

 

It is possible for $700+ starting out but just not consistently. Show up with a good attitude and a ready to work and prove that you've got what it takes to make a dispatcher happy so he/she will keep you happy and it can happen. Not great at first but it will get better as you go.

 

I do not understand where everyone is getting their numbers from. My checks have always been well above that. My first checks were $1,200 per week. Anyone coming to work for me when I have my trucks running at the end of the year better be making $1500 or above.

I believe there must be drivers driving with low self worth. I know lots of you are better drivers then I am. Why are you working cheap?

 

Give us another option and stop gloating. I'd love to be making more than 400-500 a week with this dump of a company called Swift. As soon as I can, I'm gone, and hopefully can find something that pays at least double, cause I only have cell phone, internet, medical, and insurance that I'm paying for right now, and with just that I'm going backwards rather than forward. And the company has the gall to ask me why I don't have a CB in my truck, sheez with the low wages they're paying me? I can barely afford toothpaste.

 

The mega dry van carriers have

A Lot of seats they want filled
A lot of freight but still too many trucks
A lot of rookie drivers struggling to figure out the "system"
A lot of more senior drivers who have secured their position and know the system to maximize revenue

If you can navigate all this, you'll be ok. But first things first. Learn the skills, determine if you're willing to accept the lifestyle. Give it 3-6 months from the time you go solo before making any major decisions. Don't give up your apartment too soon until you figure out how things are going to go. You may end up in a "regional" gig and your present home may be a good fit.

Consider reefer or flatbed gigs in the beginning ... maybe tanker You stand a better chance of success there as opposed to dry van.