So, how much am I REALLY going to make my first year?

its really up to the company you hire on too. with no experience, don't expect a lot. Do not get into any accidents or you will not find any good work. Good Luck, do your research

 

The problem is that most training/"starter" companies don't pay very well. Also, the median truck driver salary is less than 50k the last I read. Half make more, and half make less than that. I wouldn’t expect more than 40k as a first year driver just to be safe and have realistic expectations. The guy you know running teams is an anomoly and wouldn't be making that as a first year solo driver.

If you live in a larger city, you can get into LTL work after a year or so of experience and make more than you do now. After about a decade of driving jobs hovering around in the 40-50k range that's what I did, and I really wish I had done so sooner. Now I'm over 96k as an LTL linehaul driver. Many others are in the 6-figure range these days.

 

It sounds like you are willing to go OTR. If so are you willing and able to stay out on the road for 4-6 weeks at a time? You make more money if you aren't having to get home frequently and/or take several days off when you do get home.

In 2013 I went through training at Swift then ran solo for six months, staying out on the road 4-6 weeks, then getting home for a 34 reset or maximum three days. Bear in mind starting pay after going solo was $0.25 per mile. I calculated that I was on pace to make $38,000 gross. Starting pay is considerably more today. I averaged about 2500 miles per week, willing to take any load, anywhere, at any time, and willing to throw chains to get over passes.

After the first six months I switched to a team dedicated account, running coast to coast every week, with a required 34 hour reset every weekend. Then I was on pace for about $55K. Again, the pay rates have gone up significantly.

If you are willing to work, manage your time well, communicate well with dispatch, and keep learning every day, there's no reason why you would have to earn less than you are now. The whiners that make $25-35K ALSO explain WHY they are paid poorly. They won't run at night. They park if they see a snowflake. They won't go east or west of the Mississippi. They just GOTTA take a week off every three weeks.

The list of excuses is endless.

 

Too many variables to give you a reasonably close answer. Your work ethic and abilities, company, weather and traffic in the areas you run and so much more can change your gross dramatically.

 

Now you are talking! Oilfield work pays really well, it's what I do now. Get ALL your endorsements. Many oil field companies will hire new drivers, some have their own CDL schools.

 

Good point.

Also good point regarding higher starting pay, even at megas these days.

 

coudnt have said it any better, your exactly right.

 

I gots to tell ya, and I have been on TheTruckersforum for while now, there are a LOT of real good drivers on here that have a world of knowledge in TRUCKING, You guys are the best in the industry, its how they say things that lets you know, they know what they are talking about. I enjoy reading all there post because they are exactly right . Most of these guys already have good paying jobs, so, if your wanting to get into trucking, listen to them.