In January 2021, for example, the national average rate per mile broke down this way: Vans: $1.97 mile Reefer: $2.35 per mile Flatbed: $2.17 per mile The average salary for a Truck Driver is $81,631 per year in United States. Volvo reported in October that fleets were resuming their pre-pandemic replacement cycles, resulting in truck orders increasing more than 60% YoY. Running your own truck is a lot of work, and you need to know what youre up against. The rest covers overhead expenses like permits, tolls, tires, and more. Fleet size plays a big role in fuel costs. The used-truck market may also see increased activity. Is it possible to earn $100K a year driving trucks or will I earn a measly salary? If youre just getting started, you can expect to be paid less than someone with a few years of experience, but many companies will offer pay raises every 4-6 months as you progress through your first year as a driver. Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This comprehensive guide analyzes what you can make as truck driver in North America and how you can increase your income. Without your consent employers will not be able to contact with job offers, would you like to opt-in now? Like most significant issues, there are both advantages and disadvantages to being paid per mile versus receiving hourly rates. A flourishing spot market lured smaller carriers and owner operators into the industry, and these fleets often buy used equipment. The distance is calculated by satellite along a known route, and is typically reflected in a truck's onboard electronic logging device (ELD). Between working periods, drivers must have at least 10 hours off duty. What Is A Good Starting Salary For A Truck Driver? Fuel was fleets' second highest line-item cost in 2019, after driver wages. Coronavirus-related safety measures didn't impact insurance premiums much, Nuest said. During this time, they drive a truck accompanied by an experienced mentor-driver in the passenger seat. , Webinar Upon finishing their classes, drivers receive a certificate of completion. If you have a proven track record, consider requesting compensation for significant delays. ATRI and Nuest said insurance premiums will continue to rise. The Midwest has the highest average flatbed rates at $3.11 per mile; the lowest rates are in the West, with an average of $2.41 per mile. The average pay per mile for OTR drivers is $0.44 - $0.58 per mile. CALL (219) 224-3133 CLICK HERE TO APPLY. From what I've seen .30-.45 is good for new drivers or is that a bit high? The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop. How much a trucker actually makes will depend on how theyre paid. State salaries in the U.S. tend to be all over the map literally. Still, costs are up significantly over the last decade, ATRI said in its report. Working as a long-haul truck driver is a lifestyle choice because these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. The average truck driver's pay per mile is between 28 and 40 cents per mile. Most drivers will get between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. In comparison, Amazon is ranging between $50,000-$60,000 on average, and Sysco is averaging around $80,000. Here are the 10 best states for truck drivers which also takes the states cost of living into account: Though not a state, the data for Washington D.C. is too compelling to ignore. Full-time truck drivers can expect to spend up to 300 days a year . Oversized load drivers: Oversized load drivers definitely make a comfortable living. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers transport goods from one location to another. ATRI's newest study, "An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking: 2021 Update," shows the average trucking costs per mile fell 3.1% in 2020 to $1.646 from $1.699. Typically, truck drivers either pay for gas by using a company card or by using their own funds and then get reimbursed by the company they work for. "Higher starting bonuses are likely to become more commonplace," ATRI wrote. If we look at the truck driver salary statistics in USA as of March 1, 2023, the represented employee makes $72,280; to be more precise pay rate is $6,023.33 per month, $1,390 per week, or $36 per hour. What Is The Highest-paying Truck Driving Job? Larger fleets have more bargaining power with fuel suppliers than smaller fleets. although some drivers are paid as much as $0.45 per mile, All Trucking reports. If you drove all 52 weeks in a year at those rates, you would earn between $29,120 and $62,400. Trucking Rates Per Mile Stay on top of truck freight rates per mile and keep your profit margins high. These drivers deliver goods over intercity routes that sometimes span several states. I'd say a good starting number is 40. The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $48,310 in May 2021. Despite the insurance cost trend, ATRI's data shows a drop in insurance costs from 2018 to 2019, which the institute described as "the most surprising cost center decrease.". And is it beneficial? In 2018 according to Bureau of Labor, the average salary for truck drivers is $ $43,680. Are you thinking about becoming a professional truck driver? The jobs that pay between $0.40 and $0.45 per mile are typically given to drivers with many years of experience and have exceptional driving skills. KLLM Transport Services is raising pay and compensation next month by up to 33% for. Most drivers complete between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. Other factors include location and employer. make sure you're on a federal government site. January - September 2021: $66 per day October - December 2021: $69 per day If youre a rookie driver and a carrier is trying to push you into becoming an owner-operator and leasing through them, think twice about working for them. Truck drivers in this industry earn an average salary of $49,927. Per Diem Tax Rates for Owner-Operators As of October 1, 2021, the per diem tax deduction rate is $69 per full day and $51.75 per partial day. Truck driver salaries vary depending on region, type of equipment, and a driver's experience level. For the first time in 15 years, insurance availability and cost ranked in the top five industry issues. But less than half of fleets said they give drivers paid sick leave. The industry average rate per mile typically varies between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile, although you will find exceptions outside those ranges. How else would new cars get to dealerships without tacking on, Read More How Much Do Car Hauling Jobs Pay?Continue, The median tow truck driver salary varies greatly due to company, location, industry, experience and benefits. However, the flip side is that a driver who speeds through a routine check could miss a problem. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. This is the equivalent of $4,669/week or $20,235/month. ATRI expects the driver shortage "to worsen in the coming decade," with estimates of a shortage reaching 160,000 drivers by 2028. That translates into average weekly pay ranging from $560 to $1,200. 6-11 Months the United States! Carriers also use driver benefits to recruit and retain drivers. Truck drivers make the most in Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. Thats why its important as a trucker to work for an employer that offers above average or, in the very least, fair pay per mile, so this can offset the extra time you spend off the clock, so to speak. In 1938, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into law. Here are the 10 worst states, plus D.C., for truck driver states: So, youve entered trucking with the intention of earning as much as $100,000 each year. There was very little regulatory oversight, and many jobs involved working long hours in unsafe conditions. Find a company that pays fair rates. Rookie wages are lower, typically between $0.27 and $0.29 per mile. Or will my trucker salary support my family? Many companies pay their truck drivers by the mile. Trucking wages often follow trends on the spot market, which has surged in 2020 alongside the demand for e-commerce. 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The ongoing driver shortage has prompted fleets to raise pay for drivers, in hopes of enticing new talent to the workforce and retaining truckers already on the payrolls. Thursday, September 8, 2022. Truck drivers need good hearing. NEW increased driver pay and incentive package: Average $1840 per week Additional incentives available to earn up to $14,000 a year Home daily You will drive: Brand new equipment: 2021/2022 Freightliner Trucks Best-in-class specs designed for comfort 24/7 roadside assistance/maintenance XM Satellite radio subscription Some heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers plan their own routes. at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm (visited March 03, 2023). Although such delays can reduce the drivers rate per hour, the rate per mile remains the same. The base salary for OTR Truck Driver ranges from $51,026 to $66,237 with the average base salary . The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $48,310 in May 2021. Other things to factor into your earnings expectations . What Is the Average Local Truck Driver Salary by State How Much Do Local Truck Driver Jobs Pay per Year? The highest paying companies for truck drivers are W. R. Grace & Co and Walmart according to our most recent salary estimates. Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. 100k in 2021! If youre a seasoned driver, you have earning potential you can earn as much as 60 cents per mile, according to TruckDriverSalary.com. Divide this amount by the number of hours in the workweek. Operating costs in the trucking industry are about $1.38 per mile. Salaries below this are outliers. Workers in factories, steel mills, mines, and the transportation industry received piece work pay. Read More Schwans Food Delivery Driver PayContinue, If youre considering a career as a trucker in Canada, you may be wondering what the average salary is and the outlook for this career, Read More How Much Do Truck Drivers Make in Canada?Continue. We have researched the job market for this profession in detail and derived average values. And the leading carriers are incorporating driver feedback into decision-making, according to Farrell. For instance, a rookie driver earning 28 cents per mile for a 2,500-mile trip would receive $700. The need for truck drivers should rise as households and businesses increase their spending and their demand for goods. "This is only going to continue to expand across the industry, because it works well in so many other industries," he wrote. In addition, companies like Air Products and Praxair report highly competitive wages for truck drivers. Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. It costs about $180,000 per year to run a commercial truck. The overall average salary for a truck driver is around $60,000. Other drivers, such as those carrying liquids, oversized loads, or cars, must follow rules that apply specifically to them. The answer also lies in the history of the transportation industry and labor laws. Changes to tort reform at the state level could also help level out insurance costs. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the difference for Americas roughly 3.5 million truck drivers is that wages should remain steady for the anticipated future as the industry struggles with finding enough drivers to fill its orders, especially as many experienced drivers begin to retire. While the lowest 10% of truck drivers might make less than $30,000 per year, the top 10% of salary earners, especially those that haul for well-established, reputable . Finally, it is important to realize that a system that has worked from the beginning will not change overnight. Truck drivers on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $40,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $90,000. Data from 2020 will likely show increases in truck and trailer purchases costs per mile, as fleets accelerated their equipment buying from April through the end of the year. Based on the averages above, pay per week can range anywhere from $800 to $1,350. Jamie Tharpe Trucking: CDL Class A Driver Position - Full Time Hiring Area: New Orleans, LA Perks for this Class A CDL Position Ful Time Position:-$1,500 per week on average -Plenty of freight, run as many miles are you want to -Average 2500 miles per week but able to get 3200-3400 -Out 12 days and home every other weekend for 2 days For example, if you live in Delaware you should be paid close to $70,901 per year. Average marginal costs per mile The trend Trucking's average operational costs per mile vary year to year, based on several line items, including driver wages, equipment costs, tolls and fuel. Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains operate safely. Many companies pay their truck drivers by the mile -. In addition to their driving tasks, owner-operators have business tasks, including finding and keeping clients and doing administrative work. 90% of all the consumer products and food in the world are transported by a truck to their final destination; therefore, a truck driver is very much needed for the growth of an economy. The three most common per mile pay rates are: Practical Mileage: This is calculated using the most efficient distance between the origin and the destination. Before sharing sensitive information, The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website has a list of these violations. I'll have a year in June and already been offered a job paying 46cpm in unrestricted trucks. 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. Multiple factors influence the pay system. Net pay refers to take-home pay amounts after these deductions are subtracted from your check. Company drivers are paid on a cents per mile basis. How do I pay myself as an owner operator? But, if youre not willing to put your butt on the line to earn that cash, how does a truck driver expect to bring home anywhere between $100,000 and $150,000? With 5 years of experience add 5-7 cents per mile to that number. Trucking's average operational costs per mile vary year to year, based on several line items, including driver wages, equipment costs, tolls and fuel. In May 2021, the median annual wages for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows: Drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers usually are paid by how many miles they have driven, plus bonuses. The trend toward private fleets converting to dedicated carriage is beginning to appear. Some truck drivers travel far from home and can be on the road for long periods at a time. $67,501. Carriers are betting on widespread vaccine distribution to give way to a stronger 2021, particularly for the transport sectors sluggish in 2020, such as food service and industrial. Pay rates in the trucking industry vary greatly, and the rate youre paid per mile may be very different from your trucker friends. Note that to make an even comparison between time-based and mileage-based rates, you must compare gross pay with gross pay or net pay with net pay. However, that doesnt take into account drivers who might not work full-time or compare the differences between independent drivers and company drivers. He included a provision in the FSLA that exempted truck drivers from minimum wage requirements. Owner-operators bring home about this much. #1 + Quote Reply Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. Among other things, these drivers are responsible for insurance and vehicle upkeep operating costs for a tractor-trailer average $1.38 per mile. The typical starting salary is $63,000, and after six to ten years, it increases to $72,235. Drivers can get endorsements to their CDL that show their ability to drive a specialized type of vehicle. "Truck lease and purchase costs are expected to remain constant over the coming year," ATRI said, noting a "tumultuous" buying period in the latter part of 2020. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. Unfortunately, unless you have been driving for a long time and have a great driving reputation, theres not a lot of room for negotiating pay. Call Recruiting 877-441-9128. A normal truck driver makes anywhere from $25,740 per year up to $70,000 per year, with a median income of $39,520. If the haul, or trip, equals out to 800 miles then the driver will make $640. Keep in mind that the per diem rate for January 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021, was $66 per day.