Regardless of how much you adore driving, very few people enter a job without the hope of a source of income. However, there may be a huge disparity in truck driver salaries. The amount of money you make annually relies on a number of things, including the qualifications you possess, where you reside, and even the kinds of freight you transport.
Your salary also depends on how well your trucking business is optimized ‒ having a dispatch office to help you will increase your revenue.
What are the average salaries of truck drivers?
There is no clear nationwide average salary for truck drivers. The thing is, a truck driver’s salary depends on many different factors. The closest number to the “average” in the US is $20.5 per hour. The more complicated your freight is, the more money you receive. The more experienced you are, the better salary you can expect.
Salaries of new and experienced truck drivers
Logically, if all other conditions are equal, novice truck drivers earn less than those with experience. The typical starting pay for a new truck operator with less than a year of experience is $20.4 per hour. Given that many drivers opt to complete their training and licensing at a truck driving school, this lower compensation is sometimes considered training pay. The majority of schools pay their driver trainees a fixed, moderate weekly salary. Your real compensation will vary over where you locate a job and if you want to work independently as an owner-operator after receiving the necessary training and licensing.
In general, skilled truck drivers earn more than the national average, particularly those who have appropriate certificates.
Salaries of different types of truck drivers
A truck driver’s salary heavily depends on the type of trucking license the driver has.
CDL vs. non-CDL truck driver salaries
You need a commercial driver’s license for any kind of trucking job. Even though some trucking businesses may employ drivers for specific positions with simply a conventional driver’s license, it’s not often advised. The Department of Transportation will thoroughly examine whether you must have a CDL to legally do the work if an accident or other incident occurs. The consequences might be severe if it’s proven that you should have had one.
However, even without any accidents, non-CDL jobs are getting paid less than CDL ones. CDL trucker salaries are always higher even for less experienced drivers.
OTR truck driver salaries
On-the-road drivers may travel for up to four weeks in a row while working either alone or in teams to cover significant distances. OTR drivers have to obtain a Class A-C CDL endorsement depending on the trucks they will be driving. A hazardous materials certification is also an option, and it benefits significantly.
Owner-operator salaries
One of the easiest methods to earn a good living as a truck driver is to become an owner-operator. The typical owner-operator pay is roughly $290000 annually. However, there are a few limitations. Your income will solely depend on revenue compared to spending costs.
Owner-operators bear extra spending including the price of buying or leasing a vehicle along with yearly maintenance fees, as well as the price of gasoline, insurance, and taxes. You’ll be in charge of locating your own clients covering client acquisition fees and settling your individual prices at the same time. There are numerous strategies you can use to increase your income and reduce your spending, yet ultimately, the ultimate responsibility is all on you. Based on your attitude and selling ability, this may or may not be a good thing.
Small vs. large company trucking salaries
There isn’t really a definite pay gap between small and large businesses. However, there are a few considerations to make when determining the kind of trucking business you would like to cooperate with.
Smaller businesses aren’t able to afford the extra money to hire operators. Others may be more inclined to request that drivers work as independent contractors, and that might also shift all of the tax liability to the driver. Smaller businesses that are expanding quickly also have a tendency to spend every bit they have on training employees. In certain circumstances, you’ll have easier access to upper-level management and perhaps even directors. Additionally, you could have greater freedom or the chance to provide suggestions to advance the business.
Big businesses, on the other hand, typically have a lot of extra money available. However, how they use them differs depending on the principles of each business. Certain companies create baseline trucker pay ranges and give increases based on professional qualifications, and it may be quite competitive. Additionally, they could provide options for relocation as well as training programs that are free or offered with delayed payment. Some large businesses also offer lesser salaries, less development, and are prone to excessive employee turnover, so you have to be careful.
Highest potential income for truck drivers by state
The list of top-paying states changes from year to year with many factors affecting it. The highest income for truckers is currently possible in Washington, Alaska, and New York. Illinois and Minnesota are also considered to be high-paying states.
Highest potential income for truck drivers by truck type
The kind of freight that truckers transport is among the major indicators of their income.
Cargo that is not substantial to sufficiently complete the truck is referred to as less than truckload freight. There are no minimum standard limit sizes for conventional LTL. Volume LTL should be at least 5000 pounds, have a minimum of 6 pallets, and range in size from 12 to 32 cubic feet. The operator next creates a complete load by combining those loads from various shippers.
Operators of flatbed trucks haul open, flat trailers instead of conventional, sealed trailers. They are excellent at moving objects that are unusually sized or proportioned, yet they cause additional driving difficulties. You as a driver must make sure that cargo is supported and weather-protected. Those extra obligations need certain expertise and it may increase income.
Dry van trailers are simply moving containers without ac. While there are small 28-foot trailers, these commonly range in length up to 53 feet. Alcohol, medical supplies, and automotive parts also are a few non-perishable items that carriers prefer for dry van delivery since it is cost-effective. Normally, it is a plentiful mass of dry van cargoes.
Reefer, a cold storage trailer, carries fresh produce like milk, meat, or those medical products that need to be kept in the fridge. Since the refrigerator has to be maintained in good working form, reefer vehicles might be more challenging to operate than dry vans. Luckily, it may also result in increased earnings.
Heavy haul loads are composed of quite heavy goods, such as bulky military equipment or jet engines. You’ll have to have sophisticated instruments to move such loads as well as supplemental certification. To plan alternative routes, arrange patrol cars, or briefly elevate electrical lines. You may also have to work with a number of experts. Heavy-duty trucks tend to pay well to cover such additional jobs.