Realistic look at new driver pay?

You guys should do as much research as possible before taking the first job. If he can get his hazmat and tanker endorsement there are companies that will pay extra and should be able to make close to .50 per mile to start. It is possible to be home on the weekends for reset and easily make $1000 per week to start. He can make more than that if willing to stay out for long periods but recommend making as much as possible per mile from the beginning to maximize income. It will allow him to still have a home life and make decent money. If you figure the pay per hour it is somewhat deceptive because in a typical 5 day work week he will probably still average at least 10 - 12 hours of work/driving per day not counting sleeper time. Also recommend checking out the cost for insurance and other deductions that can significantly cut into take home pay.

 

So much negativity.

You do not need to start at the bottom. You do not need to start out at one of the mega junk companies. You do not need to start out making below average wages.

There are tons of good paying respectable companies out here. They won't be listed on here for the most part, they will not come looking for you.

Good luck @Eethomas685 . If your husband has a bit of determination and is not afraid to put a little work into it a good paying trucking job is possible from the start.

 

Yall say no megas pay
They do too.
Just gotta work for it.
Lots of guys can't hack 650 miles a day , they cannot 8/2 split, can't back up, and honestly have no business being in a f350 never mind a tt.
I did the last 2 weeks on dollar tree, 3 loads a week maximum. Worked maybe 48 hrs on the logs.

 

Those 1200 checks were otr at 35 cpm.

 

Sadly even at $400/week still more then I MAKE now...My take home after 80 hrs is about 700 every 2 weeks. That is why I can't wait to go OTR

 

Realisticly if he doesnt do like many guys and wish to get home every weekend a guy can gross 800$ a week pretty easy. Gotta remember living on the roads costs out there too. I used to spend 60$ a week. That was food and coffee. I do know guys who spend 200$ a week too. People forget those numbers.

 

akfisher got in just before me. I was just about to mention the cost of living out here.
Until he can get everything he needs for cooking in the truck he will be spending a LOT on food. And not very healthy food at that.

Trading a $15 per hour job for trucking when you have a family to take care of is a huge step down in the income your family will see for many, many months. Or even longer.

And how about those slow times of the year when his income barely covers his own expenses?
Or about those home times when that weekly check will only be half?

 

I'd find another job...

My first year I took more then a week off per month and was double that!