How Much $$ The First Year??

I am almost done with my CDL school. A recruiter came in to sell his company bragging that they make 36K a year. I lost my job at 90K a year and unfortunately in this economy I doubt I'll see it again. Anyway He said 36K for a student driver. Then went on to say it's $400 a month for medical insurance, I have a wife and a couple kids. Then he said there is insurance for my personal items in the truck, and a few other things.To make a short story long I used my calculator and found I would NET about 26K with this company. Is that average?? Anyone Bueller? My school said there are companies that pay 50-80K a year but you need a few years of OTR. There are some local companies that pay by the hour $20-25 but I'd like OTR to get some experience and see the Ol' US of A. Also I'm leaving the People's Repulic of Kalifornia. Any good companies in the Reno/Sparks NV area?
Thanks.

Trust in God but lock your doors

 

Yep sounds about right..

No sure about nevada companies

 

First year you should gross between $25,000 and $45,000 all depends on who you go to work for and how hard you run.


I know we (watkins Shepard) have a terminal in Las Vagas, NV, May Trucking might hire you out of NV as well....





American Trucker

 

36k gross sounds a lot high for a new student to make 1st year. 25k-28k would be more like it. But as AT said, it depends on who you start with, and how hard you run after you are solo with no trainer.
Keeping in mind that, you won't really see the fruits of that labor untill close to the end of your 1st year. As you get more accustomed to doing the job and also become more efficient at doing the job.

 

I'll second what A-T said - Watkins Shepard and May would be two to check out and I think that you'll have a good chance to earn in the low to mid 30's if you don't go home every other week.

The issue you need to consider is weather or not to leave your wife and kids for a few weeks at a time then return home for 3-4 days and then do it all over again. If that's much less than appealing to ya I'd suggest contacting your local work force alliance office/job service and see if they have any programs that you'd qualify for.

A friend of mine that I met in CDL school in 06 lost his job driving last year and he's now in nursing school and it's being paid 100% by the state. I wish I could get into that.

Anyway, good luck.

 

yeah, you ain't gonna see 90K ever again....not even as an o/o because after all expenses, you'll make about what a company driver makes but with no added headaches...

get used to it, (the lower wages)....you'll be lucky to make $45 to 50 grand a year for general trucking...specialized hauling will pay more however.

 

I grossed $27K my first year. Talk about pissed. Wasn't much change in the following two years but 2011, I'm gonna be grossing in between $50-55K in my new job which is a hell of a lot better.

 

Thanks for the input. I'll look at Watkins Shepard and May. Do most companies let you take your tractor home? I was looking at Werner and they said you keep the tractor on your days off.

 

some do some dont, Watkins Shepard and I beleive may to dont allow you to take it home.

I certanly wouldn't go to work for werner just to take your truck home.....




American Trucker

 

I drive a gasoline/fuel/ULSD/Jet tanker (18 wheeler). It's local work home every night. You must have a minimuim of 1 year exp. , hazmat., tanker endorsement, and TWIC card. However a driver with those credentials start at $52K and go up from there.
I know you can't start out at that but it's something to shot towards.