Truckers Don't Know What Pay to Expect After Six Months
12 posts in the last 60 days, all from r/Truckers.
“Been driving for 4 years, been at my last job for 3 as of October. Gross pay is usually around $1700-$1800 for 55hrs of work or so. I get hourly + load but I'm tired of load pay. It's inconsistent and there is too much chance or BS involved in making a bigger check. I want to…”
“well fellas, i finally did it and got my cdl, im currently looking for jobs and was wondering if you guys had any recommendations, im really trying to be a lot driver with dhl but cant find anything on their website, would be nice since p&g is right down the road from us, i also…”
“Im a new driver but I’ve already decided that Tankers is what I want to specialize in, maybe a HAZMAT Tanker such as Fuel, Chemicals, Cryogenics & Some Food Products to my understanding are some possibilities. After 3-6 months in dry van what should be my first step in reaching…”
Many truckers are expressing frustration with difficult routes, challenging loads (like doubles), and concerns about pay rates after gaining experience. There's also discussion around navigating logistical hurdles like drayage and dealing with issues related to freight companies.
SOURCES (33)
“I get the idea that truckers tend to job-hop quite a bit. What is the longest you've stayed with one company? Why did/do you stay with them? submitted by /u/JohnOnWheels [link] [comments]”
“Been driving for 4 years, been at my last job for 3 as of October. Gross pay is usually around $1700-$1800 for 55hrs of work or so. I get hourly + load but I'm tired of load pay. It's inconsistent and there is too much chance or BS involved in making a bigger check. I want to upgrade (not side grade) jobs. Straight hourly and OT, no other BS pay schemes. Making about 2k for the same hours would be nice or even the same amount for less hours? What's the long term move here? subm”
“I went through a program called drive 160 academy to get my cdl, on my last week and im feeling confident ill pass my test. They told me they offer their graduates lifelong help for finding cdl work which is nice I wanted to ask how much can I expect to make as a new driver, my trainers say on the low end I can expect 1k per week but I see a bunch of other sources saying as low as 400-700 a week. So im a bit confused at the disparity I luckily wont have to enter a tuition contract or anything li”
“Hey! just got my CDL. Just went through orientation with U.S Xpress. Yes I've read the horror stories.. just here for my experience then im dipping. Im currently waiting for a trainer to be assigned to me. Is $1500 a week possible. Im going to be making $0.50 per mile.. or so they say. I dont have any kids.. not married. So i will tough it out and be out for weeks at a time and barely have to be home. Is $1500 a week attainable? Or are there too many variables at play? Thanks for reading in”
“well fellas, i finally did it and got my cdl, im currently looking for jobs and was wondering if you guys had any recommendations, im really trying to be a lot driver with dhl but cant find anything on their website, would be nice since p&g is right down the road from us, i also have my tanker endorsement so that opens up possibilities although im trying to avoid otr if i can submitted by /u/Zombiekiller4you [link] [comments]”
“These checks are AFTER my taxes and $282 child support payment each week. Let me know what you guys think. The $0 week I was on national Guard duty. Just want some other opinions. submitted by /u/Legal_Refuse7555 [link] [comments]”
“Is now a good time to join a trucking company as my first Cdl job? I mean with the high diesel prices and all submitted by /u/Future-Guarantee-913 [link] [comments]”
“Local intermodal, home everyday. Thoughts? submitted by /u/IndexFingerTypist [link] [comments]”
“My job will pay for my CDL (or various degrees) which is nice because I wouldnt be locked into any contracts with trucking companies in exchange for a CDL. I was thinking of doing it for a year or 2 to save up money for surgery I need. I'm asking because id like to make closer to 30/hr compared to the 17 I make now. I'm sure 30 isn't what I can expect starting out but even 25 would be a massive improvement. Several family members do it and they're the dumbest people I've ever”
“I got offered a gig hauling fuel I have never done it before, and was told its paid by the load. They said starting out it would roughly $1700 a week. Is this good/bad for starting out hauling basically a bomb on wheels. I know if the rack is down or slow I will be affected compared to hourly guys. All the drivers take turns doing a Saturday every month. submitted by /u/No_Round_7601 [link] [comments]”
“- I work six days intermodal any where from 6-14 hours a day - average about 2300 before taxes. My pay drops about 600 if I work one day less. - If I request off for a random day or week they wont question it. - I have my own truck and commute daily to and from work with it. (Do not own) - The health benefits are pretty good. - I choose my own start time as long as there is no live load or unload - 90% drop and hook submitted by /u/Fearless-Impress8255 [link] [comments”
“For my first OTR company, Swift honestly treated me good. But I gotta move on to better things in a little bit and get more experience. submitted by /u/Wesley-McCoy [link] [comments]”
“I’m 25M & exploring a CDL career path. I’m currently studying for my permit test, & as I work through the material, I’m trying to understand what expectations come with this field. Day to day, long‑term, & realistically. I’ve had some major life changes recently, so I’m unemployed & rebuilding from scratch. I’m looking for honest insight from people in the industry: what should someone new expect, & what should I be preparing myself for? submitted by /u/GasElectro”
“Hey folks. Rookie here with about 7 months otr so far. Been thinking about a career path and need some help deciding which way to go. My first choice is fuel hauling. Ideally because it has the option to go home daily and the hours don’t sound insane. Been talking to some fuel haulers whenever I’m on my 10. Other choice is Tyson. I’m already on a medium sized mega carrier on the Tyson account. I met an old head the other day who said he makes $130k doing regional. Pretty sure he was lying. But j”
“Next week is my last week trucking after 5 years CDL A driving and a total of 12 years in the industry. I've done every single position from dispatch to safety to Ops management to carrier owner (also driving LTL, flatbed, tanker, roll off, and haz waste) ...at 33 I am moving on to my very first adult job outside of trucking. It's scary, exciting, and relieving all at the same time. Never thought I'd be able to get out... I wish everyone the best. submitted by /u/Physics-”
“26M been driving for 18 months now and its good money but I just had my second kid and I want to be home more now. Unfortunately where I live (El Paso, TX) we don’t have a lot of very well paid local jobs. Looking for a career change but don’t know what to do. Any advice is appreciated submitted by /u/SeaweedGreen8388 [link] [comments]”
“I know the companies all lie and the money is crap at first but is it really that much better after 6 months to a year? I haven't used my cdl in 4 years. I would need to spend money and time on a refresher (np) and I would need to retrain with a mega going otr for at least 6 months before applying to a much better job (also np) --- but what is everybody making after 6 months and after a year? (gross) ... is 1800 to 2500 a week common or not at all? submitted by /u/whateverandever”
“Anybody have any experience working here? I have fresh CDL and am looking for experience. submitted by /u/shart20 [link] [comments]”
“I need help. I’m a lady driver about 5’ tall and occasionally have to pull doubles. Maybe twice a week, which is fine but I am feeling some strain on my shoulder and back and at times struggle and fight with the dollies. I don’t want to end my career with an injury and am hoping I can get some tips or tricks to ease the handling of the dollies. I don’t want or need to ask for help, just looking to mitigate the stress of correcting a misaligned dolly or one stuck in a groove, crack, slush, snow,”
“Im a new driver but I’ve already decided that Tankers is what I want to specialize in, maybe a HAZMAT Tanker such as Fuel, Chemicals, Cryogenics & Some Food Products to my understanding are some possibilities. After 3-6 months in dry van what should be my first step in reaching that goal, who should i work for or where should i look for work (Assuming i already have the appropriate endorsements duh lol) Everywhere I’ve looked wants 1-2 years experience with tankers specifically so how do i g”
“For me it was when I was doing all my task, at a high level, completing them by myself, while others seemed incompetent without having their hand held, yet still getting pulled to the side and talked to because I wasn’t “friendly” enough or smiled submitted by /u/lake_june [link] [comments]”
“A week ago I hit a pothole in Fort Wayne that completely sheared off the bolt anchoring my front shock absorber to the frame, while I was BOBTAIL. In my head I know the equipment had to be faulty to begin with but I'm still blaming Indiana roads.”
“Thats quick i thank god every day that i don't have to battle everyone at popular fuel islands”
“🤣 the dispatcher said wow your truck rides so smooth at 45 almost as-if it's standing still”
“For those complaining about not being able to see what's going on because the video is short, it's not rocket science. Speedometer is stuck at 45 mph while truck is parked. Don't even have to see the actual speed to know it's pointed upwards.”