Pay

Lol, not quite true. But I DID make it a priority to take notice of such things, in the begin especially.

I am/was not affraid to try a different route... I prefer 2 laneing it in much of the country. Way less traffic, better sights, usually easier to find parking. I grew to despise much of I-80... Often I would opt to run alternatives such as US20, US26, US30, or US36.

But in the end family had to take front seat to trucking, so these days I rarely get more than 150 to 200 miles from my front door. I make better money, I'm home every night, and I dont JUST drive a truck... That is only one of my many job duties.

 

I would compare like this. $15 an hr. Working 60 hrs a week pays 70 hrs. W/ OT. Grossing $1050 week. Driving 2400 miles per week at .37 cpm is $888 gross. 2400-2500 miles is realistic. You need at least .43 cpm to match the $15 hr. Job. IMO you should make at least .47cpm starting out. That pays about $1150 week. Not bad for a rookie. Take home about $ 850-$900. After 6 mo.-1yr. Pay gets better. In no time you’ll be rich, making .65cpm of more. Grossing $1600-$1700, taking home $1200-$1300, getting big tax returns. Lol

 

Now that I'm thinking about it, I think Raider Express offers their drivers something along those lines, but they have a hell of a lot of bonuses. There was a guy on here some time ago who was working there and did well there. If a driver can get past driving 60 mph, he can make good money with the incentives added. Sometimes it ain't the cpm, but the accessory pay, and other incentives. However much money a driver makes will depend on how well he or she adopts to how the company does business.

 

I guess averaging $1,700/week gross for the last 6 months (10 months of driving thus far) is pretty solid for me then.

 

Who actually runs 52 weeks? Theres holidays, vacation (paid or not, id be home for my anniversary and daughters bday) and what about breakdowns?

Even starting out in 2012 i only did 48 weeks.

Also, poverty level is defined in the us as $13,590 / 18,310 / 23,030 (for 1/2/3 people in household vs household income) good news everybody, living at double the poverty level may still (likely will) bankrupt you, but its your fault because youre above the poverty level by a good margin

 

I first want to say that my comment is in no way to offend anyone, I guess I’m a bit stunned hearing these numbers. I constantly see comments regarding pay and how someone should accept 40-50 cents a mile. Why is this ok? Someone with a cdl thats hard working should be making a lot more than that. I can name a hundred jobs that make more than that and don’t require a degree. I think most people that have a cdl should be making minimum 75-80k. I also understand that some people are lazy and don’t give the extra effort in certain situations, however the sacrifices people must make to be a trucker should demand higher pay. That’s my thought on it. Maybe I’m wrong or just don’t get it. Could someone please offer some feedback. Thanks

 

I also have a few friends that work at local ltl companies and make easily 80k fresh out of school with less than a year of experience. Why do people not consider that option for a few years so they can make more cpm with more experience? I’m not trying to stir anything up here, I’m honestly just trying to learn and better understand the process in this industry. Thanks

 

I see what you are saying... But it can also depend on what part of the country you live in. In Idahofalls, ID (one of the closer cities to my home) the median annual income is only about $27k, with a household income of about $56k.



I made more than the median household income by myself at 37 cpm. This was enough that my wife didnt have to work anymore, and could be a stay at home mom to our 3 children (2 children back then).

I now make more money annual, but am paid hourly... And work ungodly hours in the busy season. My last paycheck was just over $3k net for 2 weeks... About 142 hours. But I like what I do and I'm paid very well for it, my hourly pay is over 15% higher than most other folks I know in the area. And my wife is still a stay at home mom.

 

First, anything under $.50pm for a company driver is basically a driver with no experience, so it's reasonable to expect such a driver to begin his/her career in the $50-55k range. Using myself as an example, I am on pace to make $73k my first year (10 months in). I am definitely an exception and not a rule because I caught on quick, I run hard, and I don't try to get home every weekend. I also don't refuse loads. I am averaging 2,600 miles/week, which is pretty decent for reefer freight. I know how to work my clock so that after delivering a load, I have a full clock available within an hour two, if not sooner. I am doing this as a rookie driver who is still learning, still making the occasional mistake. I am also not getting the longer runs and preferred loads...yet.

There are veteran OTR drivers hitting $100k, and many getting darn close. They see $.60-.65pm and hit 3k miles/week. The key to financial success as a company driver in trucking is maximizing that clock. Keep that left door closed, keep the wheels turning, make appointment times, and always let dispatch know in plenty of time what the plan for the day is.

Conversation with DM as soon as I know the morning meeting is over goes like this:
"Being unloaded now. I arrived at this time. This place usually unloads pretty quickly and gets paperwork out timely. I will have a full clock and be ready to go in an hour." DM puts my name on the board for load planner to which his drivers are assigned. Within 30 minutes of having a full clock ready, I typically have my next load. It doesn't always work out so well, but I never have half a day wasted because I waited until empty to tell DM that I am ready for a reload. It gives me action on better loads by giving that heads up. It gives me plenty of time to trip plan. I give myself time to enjoy a shower nearly every night. (That can actually be rare for drivers that run as hard as I do.)

I don't have wasted time nor wasted movement. So, don't feel entirely sorry for us truckers. The ones not making money either don't know how to work it yet or don't have the desire to push themselves hard.

 

Your comments make a lot of sense and congrats for being able to provide well for your family, I also think it’s how you manage your money, it sounds like you guys are smart with money. I have a cousin that makes almost 550k with both his and his wife’s income. ( he’s a lawyer and she’s a doctor) they piss money away like crazy and have nothing to show for it. I agree that it all depends on where you like but that’s hoping someone doesn’t have to buy a house in this market or a car, both of which have skyrocketed in price. I think that’s the point I’m trying to make, it seems like a lot of local jobs are paying 28-35 per hour and overtime after 40. If someone works 60 hours a week, they can easily make 80k plus, they are also home each night. I guess my point is why would a new driver choose to get the experience at such a low pay when they can be home each night getting the same experience. Again this is not a dig on anyone, just trying to get a better understanding.