Highest overall paying companies for new drivers?

Prime inc is by far the best of the mega carriers, 43cpm in their small eco friendly trucks.

But.... If were not just talking otr theirs mentor pay, dedicated accounts and leta not forget small carriers and ltl..

 

This isn't true for all local drivers. I average 45 hours a week and will make over 70k. I made 83k last year at around 47/48 hours a week with free insurance, paid vacation and holidays. Good jobs are out there, you don't have to max at your HOS to be local and make a decent wage.

 

Go with a company that gives you the most experience and variety. Trying to find a company that pays the most will limit you in the long run, because chances are they are going to be dedicated to particular customers and run very strict lanes (back and forth down the same routes gets boring fast). Find a company that gives you tons of miles, an average rate and lots of load/route variety. You'll learn the most and have the most fun.

And the biggest mistake new drivers make is expecting to make tons of money right off the bat. You won't. You will be working your butt off for less than you want, and putting up with some pretty garbage runs sometimes. Your inexperience will also slow you down on new routes/new loads because of the learning experience. Another problem is "greener grass syndrome". New drivers think 36 cpm at X company is worse than 37 cpm at Y company, even if X company treats them well, recognizes and rewards their hard work and keeps them running with lots of miles.

Put your time in with a quality company, get the experience you need to move around in the industry and if after two years you feel like you still want to move on, you'll have much greater freedom of choice.

 

Try finding a local job . Lots of them out there .
I started driving for the local sanitation company where I live . It's not glamorous but $20 an hour to start and being home every night with my family works for me .

 

People that works in an office don't live in their place of employment like a trucker does. They don't have to worry about things like elogs and doing a good inspection on their cars like a trucker has to do. It is not the same and never will be. My father used to be paid when he fueled his truck. I forgot how much it was but it was on his checks. I never remember being paid to fuel. I have always thought a good starting pay for a rookie with zero experience was .28 to .32 cents a mile. I am not that familiar with tanker or flatbedding companies. But as far as general van driving goes there is no national carrier that stands out as all that much better with startling pay. Company A may pay 2 cents more a mile but you might only get 80% of the miles the company that pays 2 cents a mile less gets.

 

*Most want 1-2 years exp. BUT you can get lucky. It's all about being in the right place at the right time. Some people want to be OTR. I didn't. I spent many summers going all 48 with my Grandad. I loved it but I didn't want to do that for me. I wanted to drive a truck and unload my own freight/product locally. You can be local if you put in the legwork and research or if your willing to relocate to an area high demand.

 

It's funny how many non or brand new members are giving advice when they are looking can't find a job etc.