New driver starting out needing $60k a year.

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by localguy65, Sep 14, 2018.

  1. localguy65

    localguy65 Light Load Member

    206
    95
    Oct 8, 2012
    0
    I understand. That makes sense. I may have come off as desperate but I'm not.
    Just trying to find the best option to make enough money to cover all the bases.

    I am a professional in my current career and make good money. I have made more but took a pay cut to work Monday-friday so I could attend truck driving school on the weekends.

    I'm attending a well known school and will be taking the learning process seriously. Truck driving is not do or die for me. I just really wanna give it a try and see If I love it like I believe I will.

    Thank you for your time!
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Cbp

    Cbp Bobtail Member

    23
    36
    Mar 14, 2016
    0
    Yeah, I enjoyed tanker work personally. I was pretty lazy with my home time my first year driving tankers lol, but was still around 65k(I think 63k). But I do get it, it's not for everyone.
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  4. Wisbowmen

    Wisbowmen Bobtail Member

    16
    12
    Jul 18, 2018
    0
    I graduated from CDL school about a 6 weeks ago. I looked into Old dominion, they wanted me to work the dock for awhile, i also looked into a few other over the road companies. In the end I decided on working for Maines. I am home every other night. I am scheduled for 3 routes a week, the routes are between 600 and 700 miles a route. Between my mile pay, me and a co driver both get paid 32 cents a mile for every mile run. The stop pay and the pay for each item we hand cart into the wendys, burger king, etc I am averaging 1800 gross a week. I also run an extra route a week, so i do 4 routes not 3 and they pay me an extra 100 bonus on top of my usual pay for the 4th route.

    So a new driver could easily make 70k plus the first year. I should make just over 80k my first year and im only running 4 routes on tier 1.

    Yes I do a little work but not much. I am at a stop at the most 30 mins per stop, 10 to 13 stops a route, the rest is just driving. For me, its easy money, and a lot of it.
     
    localguy65, John A. and dwells40 Thank this.
  5. GraniteRiver

    GraniteRiver Light Load Member

    208
    285
    Apr 22, 2018
    0
    Danny Herman solo will get you mid $60’s and mid $80’s plus if you team here. I’m only 5 months out of school earning over $7k month. Message me if you have any questions. They will also reimburse your school at $75 week.

     
    Chinatown and localguy65 Thank this.
  6. localguy65

    localguy65 Light Load Member

    206
    95
    Oct 8, 2012
    0
    I got my CDL A today!
    Thank you again for the advice.
     
    RedRover Thanks this.
  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    75,231
    171,851
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    OK, now get to work!
     
    Texas_hwy_287 and localguy65 Thank this.
  8. localguy65

    localguy65 Light Load Member

    206
    95
    Oct 8, 2012
    0
    Haha. Working on it!
    Thank you @Chinatown
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  9. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

    15,183
    33,442
    Dec 17, 2010
    Williesburg, Virignia
    0
    I did not read the replies and have no plans to do so. 60K a year as a new driver is doable. Remember this is almost $1200 a week. Question? Have you taken into consideration your increased cost of living while on the road. EVEN if you buy bulk and eat in your truck there is going to be costs here. Trust me, this can be anywhere from $50 to $100 a week. While it is possible to make 60K a year, as a new school graduate you HAVE NO EXPERIENCE! In other words your entry level. I'm giving you the best advice I can. Check this out and run the numbers. I would advise you to get your CDL through a tech school and try to stay local IF you can.

    Now I don't want to seem like some gloom and doom person. However I am not going to blow sunshine up your butt either. If you have not run the cost of living numbers yet may I suggest you are looking AT BEST for this to be $5,000 a year. If you are the typical taxpayer your deductions are now capped. Run ALL these numbers my friend and be real at what your true earnings potential are.
     
  10. Simplespeed

    Simplespeed Light Load Member

    103
    88
    Jun 12, 2013
    0
    I didn't read all of the comments so I dont know what has been said. My first year I started with PRIME I leased a truck brought home 72K before taxes. I didnt come home often at all though. It can be done, don't let anyone tell you it cant be done. You just have to keep looking and find a way to make it happen.
     
    localguy65 Thanks this.
  11. 2duisperyear

    2duisperyear Light Load Member

    222
    198
    Nov 6, 2015
    Okland Co , Mi
    0
    Looking to go line haul or tanker out of detroit 3 years exp , any ideas , you should start your own fourmn , chinatown trucking , i would join!
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.