What kind of paycheck is realistic for new drivers?

I didn't say that was the maximum that could be earned. I gave a figure based on my first year which is what the original question asked.

 

Agreeable income amount. Wasnt arguing that. But with a decent company that is doable while still taking regular home time. Thats what i was getting at.

 

For me despite the challenges trucking has been a lot of fun and liberating being freed from the 8-5 Mon-Fri routine. If Roehl turns you down don't be discouraged. You aren't asking for much and theres a lot out there.

 

I’m 3 months in and avg about 1000/week. Off 2-3 days a week, typically the weekend. No touch tanker freight. Really happy so far. Being home with the family is important to me. But I love being out alone too.

 

This is why I will never drive team.. I'm a one person operation.. Only one in my truck is the wife, on her days off from her job.

 

You should expect to get paid weakly. Ba ha ha ha!

 

Starting driver's salaries follow the usual three D's that determine pay anywhere.

Is it dirty? Is it dangerous? Is it difficult?

The dirtiest, most dangerous, and difficult (i.e. specialized equipment training) is probably oil field and guess what it pays really well. The easiest is no touch dry van where you swing doors and hump docks. It pays real cheap because the only D is backing.

I found my happy place in flatbedding. It's dangerous, sometimes dirty, and physically demanding in bursts. You can be crushed by forklift, coils, 110° temps, or brake too hard and shift a load or send 48,000lbs of pipe shooting through your body.

But I find it fun, mentally and physically stimulatting, and it's one of the best paying fields.

The best paying fields for new drivers are flatbed, tanker (especially hazmat), and LTL. Experienced drivers can get even more specialized like oversize/weight flatbed, dedicated concert/show, and vacuum/ready mix trucks.