Here’s an article I wrote on Becoming A Truck Driver During A Poor Economy. It’s exactly what you’re looking for.

Here’s another one I wrote on how Fuel Prices Affect The Trucking Industry. Fuel prices have come down now, but the affects are still there and you’ll see what some of them were.

As far as what you’ll make when you first start out as a driver, you will definitely not make 50k your first year. The first month or two, depending on the company, you’re out with a trainer. Most companies pay you like $350-$550 a week salary during that time. Then, once you’re out there running solo, your mileage pay is lower to start out. It generally goes up significantly by the end of your first year.

Besides that, you won’t be able to run the long hours it takes to make the kind of money you’d like to make in your first year. There is so much to learn, it’s so overwhelming, and you don’t get the regular sleep patterns that you’re used to getting. It takes time for your mind and body to adjust to the lifestyle. It’s just too dangerous to try to run hard your first year. Safety should always be your number one concern.

But the second year, depending on the company you work for, the economy at the time, and how hard you’re willing to run, $50k is possible. It’s usually more like $42-$47, somewhere in there. But that’s pretty darn close.

I sure hope this info helps. If you have any more questions, be sure to ask!