how much does a CDL truck driver really make?

Question

I see and hear mixed numbers from $15 per hour to $35k to $40k a year (which does not seem much if this means full time work, but for part time work it's fine). I also have seen over $65k per year. Why the great mixed numbers? Does this depend which company and how many hours you work per week?

Answer 1

It depends on many things. Level of experience is a major factor. Also, type of driving (local is usually paid hourly- OTR is paid per mile) is a factor. Local jobs vary the most, I think....dump truck and rock haulers make about 9-10 dollars an hour in Florida, whereas local car haulers average about $25 dollars an hour.

Type of freight hauled is another biggy- car haulers, oversized/drop deck haulers, and other types of specialized haulers, usually whose job also includes getting out of the truck and handling the load in some form, tend to make significantly more than the average company driver. Not everyone wants this kind of job, because despite the pay, you've gotta get out and get dirty in all sorts of weather, the risks are high in terms of damage, and usually the employment requirements pretty much require you to walk on water in terms of your MVR. I've heard of company OTR car haulers making upwards of $75,000 anually, generally hauling specialized show cars and such.

Average beginning pay for a company OTR driver, fresh out of school, with a company like Werner, Swift, Covenant, etc....is around $35,000 a year. It does depend on how many miles you drive per week, and how frequently you take time off.....when the truck sits, you don't make money. Team drivers for the same types of companies tend to make a bit more- they can average $55-65K per year (per driver.....a husband and wife team can come close to, or exceed 6 figures together, even in their first few years of driving).

Also, various linehaul jobs (FedEx, UPS, SAIA, Estes) typically pay very well. Some of these jobs are union jobs, which helps up the pay scale. I have a friend who drives linehaul for FedEx, he has been with them for nearly 20 years, and he brings home about $75,000 a year....he is out for 3 days and home for 2 days, typically.

I've also heard Wal-Mart drivers make a boatload of money. Their experience requirements are very strict, and their drivers are very tight-lipped about such things as pay scale, but I talked to one guy, who would not *tell* me the average pay, but when I guessed $70,000, he told me "That would not be too far from the average" (this conversation was being held over the CB and I guess he was afraid of getting in trouble :)

One of the things I like about trucking, is there are all sorts of opportunities for higher pay and more interesting jobs. Many people get "stuck" in a rut driving for some major carrier, and get discouraged because they think $50,000/year is all they're EVER going to make. For some folks, this is fine and it's all they ever make (and just so you know- some parts of the country, 40k a year is more than enough to live nicely, especially if you are single or your spouse brings in an income as well). If you want the money- it's out there, but just like anything else, you have to work for it.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

For the best answers, search on this site https://shorturl.im/DlASi

There are companies that offer paid training, but they will want you to be 21 years old (sometimes older) before they consider hiring you. New drivers start out in OTR routes that travel over state lines. You may not drive commercially across state lines until you are 21.

Answer 4

I agree with that previous post it depends you dont make alot starting out. I made around 30 a year for several years now I drive heavy haul and make in the high 60s to low 70s