How much should Heavy Haul drivers get paid?

My company runs in state (FL) mostly, home most nights, off most weekends. Out of town trips are always paid hotel with a per diem for meals & misc. <100 air miles from the yard we are paid hourly and >100 air miles we are paid commission on the load, if the load is a bust or cancels we will still be paid at minimum the hourly wage for the hours we worked that day. Local overnight work & construction support is double pay.

The trucks ( all pre-emission 379's) are well taken care of so days off with a down truck rarely happen. I came from rental hauling with a large company to heavy hauling with a small fleet working for an owner/op. I personally do this type of work because I like the job & the challenge. Of course there are many easier ways to make a decent living... but somebody has to move the big stuff.

I tell the new guys I am training "the stuff is heavy and mistakes cost a lot of money, so if you are looking for an easy job, this isn't the place for you. Work hard, do it right the 1st time and be professional.. the pay will come as you get time with the company." Florida is a hard place to haul heavy, mostly construction equipment, almost all 5-8 axle moves...We do well because the owner doesn't haul cheap and has a decent base of good customers he's built through the years.