Truck drivers usually fall into one of two different categories: heavy or tractor-trailer drivers, and light or delivery drivers. Tractor-trailer drivers specialize in long hauls that might take them across the country, delivering goods to distribution centers, retailers, manufacturers and other businesses. Light truck drivers typically work as local couriers, delivering packages or supplies to residences and businesses.
Are you thinking about becoming a professional truck driver? You probably asked yourself: how much can I make as a trucker? Or will my trucker salary sustain my family? Will my pay be measly or is it possible to earn $100K a year driving truc.
Regardless of the type of job, most employers require that candidates have at least a high school diploma. Special training is also available, especially for tractor-trailer drivers. First-year incomes vary by employer, location and specialty.
Salary and QualificationsThe average salary for entry level trucker jobs is $34,000 a year as of 2013, according to the job website Simply Hired. Its data do not distinguish between drivers of heavy and light trucks. The minimum requirements for entry-level truck drivers are high school diplomas or GEDs and valid driver's licenses. Those who drive light or delivery trucks then typically train for a month or less with an experienced driver. Heavy or tractor-trailer truck drivers must have a Commercial Driver's Licenses, or CDL, if they drive trucks over 26,001 pounds, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trucking firms might also prefer hiring first-year truckers with a couple years of experience driving delivery trucks. Other essential requirements for tractor-trailer truck drivers are good physical health, hearing, vision and eye-hand coordination. Light or delivery truck drivers must have patience, math and customer service skills.
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Salary by RegionIn 2013, average salaries for first-year truck drivers varied significantly by location, according to Simply Hired. In the South, first-year drivers earned the highest average annual salaries of $54,000 in Washington, D.C., and the lowest of $27,000 in Mississippi. In the Northeast, entry-level truckers averaged $31,000 a year in Maine and $41,000 in Massachusetts. Truckers in the West earned the most in Alaska and California at an average of $38,000 a year, and the least in Montana at $27,000.
In the Midwest, entry-level truckers averaged $27,000 in South Dakota and $36,000 in both Illinois and Minnesota. Job OutlookThe BLS projects a 21 percent increase in jobs for heavy or tractor-trailer truck drivers from 2010 to 2020, which is faster than the national average of 14 percent for all jobs.
Competition among trucking firms and the need for timely deliveries should spur demand for these drivers, including those just starting their careers. Many jobs are going unfilled, according to USA Today, because people can't afford the $4,000 to $6,000 for the six-week training courses. The BLS expects a 15 percent increase in jobs for light truck or delivery drivers during this decade, which is slightly above average.
He charges an additional $60 to cover having his wife transport him to and from the airport. To prepare, Williamson asked for a copy of the driver's license and driving record. Williamson checked that her insurance would cover the third-party operator and got the vehicle a full checkup.Because a driver may not be familiar with the car, he or she should plan to have their own roadside assistance such as AAA in case an emergency tow or flat tire occurs, Dougherty said.
A truck he once drove from California to Florida broke down three times and required a tow for the last five hours of the leg.It was going to cost Rachel Ishofsky upwards of $1,000 to ship her car from New York to Los Angeles, versus the $350 gas reimbursement she negotiated with a driver she found on Facebook.' I thought, why not use this as an opportunity for someone else to have an adventure?' 'People were so jazzed.' Ishofsky and the driver worked out how to insure the car and driver and what would happen if the car broke down (Ishofsky would pay for repairs).
Ishofsky also bought new tires for the journey. The two agreed on 14 days to transport the car and to check in periodically.' It's an exercise in trust,' Ishofsky said. 'I'm helping him and he's helping me.' Though it's more expensive for car owners to hire a company to match a driver to their car, it is likely to get there faster and with less risk.
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Cross Country Trains
Drivers are paid in addition to receiving reimbursement for expenses, and because they are heavily vetted, they cannot sign up for a one-off driving trip — they need to be committed to regular assignments.Futie prefers to hire retirees for their reliability and scheduling flexibility for his moving truck driving business. They earn an average of $300 per day plus expenses and can easily make up to $3,000 per month part time (it works out to about $25 per hour), Futie said. Hauls often involve transporting snowbirds' cars to and from the Northeast to Florida during season changes.About 10 percent of all inquiries to Mark Duda's websites, and, are about how to become his drivers, which he pays $500 to $1,200 per trip plus expenses (Duda says he is not hiring anytime soon because he already has a waiting list).Driving is appealing to lots of types of people, Duda said.
'Many say they would do it for free.' Dougherty learned the hard way that independently arranged jobs can go wrong. A client once backed out after he'd already purchased his flight (he now requires clients book his one-way airfare first). Another client didn't pay as agreed.Both Futie and Duda said their drivers can choose to stay in a destination for any amount of time they want and choose how much they want to work, where they want to go and how far.' If you're one of my drivers you get steady work when you want it. It would be scheduled well and you get a comfortable car,' Duda said. Look for commercial discounts to drive.
How Much Money Does A Cross Country Truck Driver Make
You'll have the best shot of becoming a driver-for-hire if you're a nonsmoker, have clean driving, credit and criminal records, pass a drug test and are trustworthy, Duda said, particularly because car owners often pack their cars with personal belongings.Dougherty has even driven a client's Bernese mountain dog on a haul. Patience and comfort with being alone is also key, since you might hit unexpected weather or traffic delays that could add hours to your trip. Your health must also be good, Futie said.' There's certain looks you see in certain parts of the country at certain times of the year and that's worth doing for free sometimes,' Futie said. WATCH: Here are five risks that can drain your retirement savings.