Wanabe, but what the heck?!

It depends on what you call a "living". First year OTR wages can be as little as 25k and probably go up to about 40k. There are exceptions however. What your research shows is correct and I applaud you for doing it. It's not an easy way to make a living but if you can survive the first few years and keep a clean record, you can someday make as much as 75k as a company driver. There's a lot of "ifs" involved in that though and most who enter the industry are out of it within the first year.

 

it seems as if the industry is all doom and gloom based on what you read here. everyones results vary. a lot of the gloom is self inflicted. poor planning, no research, unrealistic expectations etc etc. the list goes on. people rarely go out of there way to praise there company. when your upset or feel you've been wronged you are more likely to go on a rant to anyone who will listen. its human nature. imo if you educate yourself on what to expect, if you are self disciplined and have common sense you will do fine. research research research. there are no rules saying you must start with xyz company and be a slave for pennies. think outside the box. don't follow the herd. just my opinion

 

I make a good living. Home every night. Weekends off. Depending on my loads I gross between 1400-1800 a week. The drivers that are earning chump change are earning it because that's what they accepted. Good jobs are out there but you gotta hunt them down. Maybe even move.

 

You have to keep in mind that trucking is more than just a job, it is a total lifestyle change. A lot of the threads from disgruntled newbies on here are because these folks didn't do their research and were blindsided by the lifestyle change.

it is very hard work and very long hours. You have to be a bit of loner. You will miss things going on back home. You will be under appreciated.

that being said, I've made a good living so far and I can provide a nice life for my kids even if I miss a lot of it. Trucking suits my personality. This job is not for everyone and if you can't handle the mental aspects of it, you will be miserable. It either gets in your blood or it doesn't.

 

That was my first impression until I researched it further. You really have to shop around before making a decision. You can find a decent paying trucking job. Just do your research really well.

 

Read the favorite companies section of this site for the positive side of things.

 

Like any industry, there is good and bad. Aside from being one of the most highly regulated industries in the U.S., a lot (not all) of the bad is being a new driver. The worst is to sign a contract with a mega carrier for them to give you your schooling. There you don't really have a job. Instead, you have an obligation to them, and that allows them to pay very little.

I understand that there are some local jobs if you go through your own schooling, but I'm sure that someone with more knowledge can help you with that, if interested.

I can tell you that once you have a few years experience, it's not difficult to make $50,000 and up, depending on what you would like to do.

Just continue to do your research and see if this is truly for you. Good luck.

 

in the late 60s drivers were paid 13 1/2 cents a mile off the household movers guide. at that time it was suppose to be pretty good pay. and you were paid $40 bucks to unload 800 boxes of cello wrap lettuce, that was why i bought my own truck at the 1st chance i got. be careful out there