There are a lot of perks to being a truck driver, such as independence, travel, and demand. But the number one thing that draws most people to the job is the paycheck. So, just how much money do truck drivers make? In short, it varies. Truck driver salaries depend on how much experience you have, how much you’re driving, whether you’re a company driver or independent contractor, and much more. But the good news is that truck driving is in high demand, and your earning potential goes up the longer you’ve been driving. We’ll break down what a typical truck driving income looks like below.
How much do most truck drivers make?
Most truck drivers working full time will make between $40,000 and $70,000. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for tractor-trailer drivers in 2021 was $48,310. For 2022, Truck Driver Salary estimates that the median salary for drivers is $59,158. When you’re just starting out, you can expect to make a little less than average. But as your career grows, it’s common for experienced truckers to make $60,000-85,000. Owner operators can make over $100,000, but they have to deal with more expenses.
How is truck driver pay calculated?
Most truck drivers get paid based on mileage. A typical pay scale is between 30-60 cents a mile, depending on the company, material, and your experience level. When you’re just starting out, you’re likely to be on the lower end of that scale, making between 25 and 40 cents per mile. As you gain more experience, you might be able to build up towards 60 or more cents per mile. A typical truck driver will drive between 2,000 and 3,000 miles each week. So you’re looking at between $600 and $1800 a week, with most drivers earning somewhere in the middle. Most drivers will earn, on average, $1000-1200 a week, which comes out to a median yearly salary of about $59,000.
How much do owner-operators make?
Owner-operators, also known as independent contractors, have the highest potential earnings, but they also face more risks and expenses. Before expenses, most owner-operators can make between $200,000 and $250,000. This is because rather than earning a rate per mile, they’re earning a percentage of the freight bill (this is highly variable, usually between 25-80%). After taking expenses into account, however, a typical owner-operator is making between $100,000 and $150,000 per year. Expenses include buying or leasing a truck, fuel, maintenance and repairs, and insurance. Owner-operators are also responsible for paying their own taxes. These costs can make being an independent contractor less reliable than working for a trucking company.
How to make more money as a truck driver
There are some steps you can take to increase your earning potential as a truck driver:
- Earn your CDL: getting your commercial driving license before getting hired by a trucking company can help you to earn a higher salary.
- Get a Hazardous Materials Endorsement: this will enable you to transport higher-paying loads.
- Maintain a clean driving record.
- Drive as part of a team.
- Build experience: it takes time, but the most reliable way to increase your income is time. The more experience you have on the road, the higher salary you can command from a trucking company.
Truck drivers are in-demand and looking at stable career with growing income over time. If you’re interested in becoming a truck driver, you can get your CDL in only 4 weeks at Washington Trucking School.