What is average for a new driver

So like I said before I am about to start my second career. what can i expect to make Take home driving. i was looking at companies like TMC but haven't applied anywhere. As a Sergeant First Class in the Army i currently make 5k a month take home. and need to make at least that much after my pension to maintain my current standard of living. i would like to make more to eliminate a pile of debt so i can just what ever i want in a couple years.

 

Ha good luck just starting out your probably going to be closer to 700 a week

 

$30-40k to start. $50-80k after 5 years.

 

I took home average about that much my first year driving. I team drive and we load our own trailer 10-21 stops per week across the country.

Almost finished with my second year, same job, and overall have not made as much as I did last year I dont think.

With my job it varies, its forced dispatch so you get what they give you. Training pay, layover, number of stops, all play a part in what I make. Smallest check for 1 week was like 500 dollars. Largest check was 3,450 (gross. 2,400 after deductions) for 1 week. It varies significantly.

 

You’re in for a big shock.

For you, after having served in our military, whose main purpose for existence is to defend our ‘freedoms’; if you begin a new career in the trucking industry, you will find out just how much ‘freedom’ that you actually do have.

If you begin a driving career with any, repeat, any large trucking company, you will be forced to work up to 90 hours (or even more) per week, and you will take home, after taxes, on average about $500.00-$750.00 per week, regardless of experience. Period.

Unlike the company schills that will no doubt feign offense at my above statement, I can actually back my claims; make sure that you go to any truck stop of your choice and personally ask truck drivers what their pay and conditions are like. You’ll find, almost to a man, that what I say is true. By all means, please confirm with real drivers; don’t listen to anyone on these forums, yessir, including myself as well.

Of course, you have all the freedoms of choice; work and accept what you are given.... or don’t eat.

 

My take home pay my first year was between $800 and $900 a week with an occasional $1100. That was with me staying out for 6-8 weeks at a time and home for 3 days on average.

After my 1st year my pay went up. I got better loads and more miles. It paid to be patient and pay my dues.

You want to be paid at an E-7 rank without paying the dues. You are starting out as an E-1 if lucky an E-3.

 

Your first year or so will be more like $700 a week gross, sometimes less, sometimes more. You wont believe how much time you will be setting waiting on a load, and then when you get one it might be only 100 miles to deliver into Atlanta or L.A. your gonna shake your head in amazement of how incompetent dispatchers can be. And be prepared to buy some bigger clothes cause better then 50/50 your gonna get chubby. Trucking now days is the last resort job. When you get to orientation you wont believe your eyes of how many misfits are there. It'l look somewhat like a homeless gathering, no joke.

 

That's a tough order to fill but if anyone can get you some possible leads it would be @Chinatown

 

Im not saying i want E7 pay right out the gate but im not stupid enough to put my self in a financial bind to jump into this career. when its all said and done i need to net 3500-4000 a month. depending on what my pension is and any VA ratings.

 

Net pay is hard to figure. People have different deductions, some people use per diem, 401k contributions at different amounts, tax levy, child support, etc.

What gross pay do you need?