Overtime pay ! Make it happen .

But most truck drivers are compensated enough to provide for those things. Sure not the day they get on a truck for the first time, but after being on the job for a little while they do.
40 cpm is easy to find for anyone with a year or two of experience. Even at 2250 miles a week on 51 weeks that's $45,900. If a guy can't live a decent life on 45k a year he doesn't have an income problem, he has a spending problem.

 

Your example is good in theory. However, taking that 45k per year as the example you used. I could easily live on that amount ,but it's insulting for a driver to consider it for the following reasons -

1. Hometime sacrifices - way too many companies give a day off for every 7 out, 2 days for 14 etc. No, thank you.

2. What type of insurance are you getting? Again, too many outfits offer subpar insurance for the "low" cost of $75/week single. BS.

3. Retirement? Pension plans are unheard of in OTR, plus the sustainability is questionable. How about a 401(k)? Cheap employers won't offer one or they won't match any contributions. More BS.

4. Paid vacation? I've seen companies boast $500/week vacation pay! Awesome, I earned my vacation at a higher rate, why settle for less on my time off?? No, thanks.

I tend to look at the total compensation package, not strictly the pay. 45k is not enough, particularly when the fringe benefits are also lacking. Why work for less??

 

I wouldn't for 45k either. Too big a pay cut with what I'm making. But it is a living wage. Not the unsustainable minimum wage pay some are claiming it to be.

Edit to add: if looking at otr companies, ya gotta compare benefits such as retirement options and insurance with typical blue collar workers. Not union or government employees.

 

Yeah but you still had to invest in a trailer to place on that lot. A decent trailer costs at least five grand. I pay $500 a month for the tiny place I rent. My biggest expense is food which comes to $800 a month. That's because I am on a low carb diet and going back to eating peanut butter/jelly sandwiches and Ramon Noodles everyday to save money is not an option. We have to maintain strict weight standards to remain qualified for this industry remember?

 

Let's talk living wages for a single guy living in PA. I read a lot on here about "take home pay" and I'm shocked at how high those supposed amounts are for a guy that makes a thousand bucks a week.

I averaged $1600/week GROSS last year and my take home pay was right around $700. Why? Well, 20% right off the top to the 401(k). My employer has an option to put specific amounts in different accounts, I put $100 in savings and $100 in my twin daughter's college fund. The tax man takes everything else, because my insurance is contribution free.

So, I basically get an average of 3 grand a month to play with - where does that money go? Taxes and insurances on my home and vehicles equals 500 bucks a month, I'm down to $2500. Utilities, Internet, and phone bills consume another $500, I'm down to $2000. I'll put food at $800, I have the girls 50% of the time, they turn 16 this month and eat me out of house and home. Now I'm down to $1200, 200 of that goes to gas for the vehicles. Now I have a grand a month to live on, right? The twins' activities include cheerleading, band, softball, dance, and chorus. Let me tell you, those aren't inexpensive activities.

My furnace went out this past winter, it was $3500 for a new one. Or 300 bucks a month based on my averages, so what's left?? Keep in mind that I use my checking account cash to take the girls away on a modest vacation every year, heaven forbid if I had a mortgage or car payments.

Granted, I've put myself in a favorable financial position (my business is completely separate from my personal life and I don't use that money for day to day expenses), but that's how a single guy lives on over 80k/year. I don't think I'm overpaid for one minute and the guys making 45k should revolt immediately! (Sarcasm)

 

Pintrlehook,

No Matter how hard you try....They'll Never Understand.

Like you said.. "a Frickin race to the Bottom to see who could live the cheapest.

 

You're absolutely right.

One other thing - I'm 43 years old. I want to retire at 60, but I have a 10 year goal to exit the trucking industry and sell houses or cars (I know...lol). I don't think the average person understands how much money it will take to achieve that personal goal, hell I don't even know how much I'll need. But I do know that the more I make now will equal the earlier I can kick back and enjoy my retirement. Seems simple enough, right?!

 

It is not about what drivers get paid, I was contesting the fact that driver or broker or whoever it was stated that you could not live on $9 per hour and that is a crock. I could but luckily I make much more than that. I also choose to live this way because I am old enough not to care what others think. It's just me and the dog.

Sure I had to buy a trailer but that is not a monthly expense. You may not be able to live on $9 per hour in Chicago or Florida but you can in Montana and many other places. Maybe not what you want to live in but then you are worried what your friends and family would think.

I used to live in a 100 square foot cabin because I could. It was so peaceful and if I wanted to have more space I went outside.

Like I said, I have certain goals and I don't feel that I am sacrificing anything at all. One more year of $400 a month for child support and I am done with that with even more money in my pockets.

All this boils down to NO the government should stay out of private business. They have already set a minimum wage and that is enough. If you do not like what you are making there are other driving jobs that are paying more. There always is and always will be. So get off your arse and get one of them. You do not have to work for a Carolina Cargo or other bottom scrubbers, you have a choice and you make a conscious one at that.

If you really want to know what it costs your employer to hire you, add 40% to whatever you made last year and that will get you in the ball park. It's more than just their portion of social insecurity.

 

I prefer the best of both worlds. Buy some land and build a 2500 sq ft home. If you are willing to put in the elbow grease, 60 grand builds a very nice house.

Screw developments and hoas with a bunch of nosy neighbors that have nothing better to do but measure your lawn to call the hoa on you. I hate those places and despise those people.