Comments By Hambug

Hi Jake,

Welcome to Trucking Truth. Although this is my first post, I have been a long time lurker. I can't answer your questions about how to find the high paying job opportunities other than to repeat some of what I have learned. In general you make the most money by operating safely and not hitting anything, accepting whatever load you are given, getting it delivered on time, treating everybody with respect and a smile regardless of how they treat you, and not letting the other stuff get to you. As you do that your dispatcher will come to recognize your dependability and will take care of you. Doing this first year drivers will probably make about $35,000, about $40,000 to $45,000 the second year, and about $50,000 to $55,000 by the fourth year.

There are some opportunities to make more so look for them, but many of the big money "promises" are linked to leasing or owning the truck which isn't recommended here. There is just so much to learn about trucking in your first years, and so much risk to leasing/buying that the chances of just breaking even are slim, and many who go this route end up failing or just barely making more than a company driver while working much harder.

The general recommendation is not to get into trucking looking for big money. You will make enough for your needs and more, but if you are looking for big money you should probably be looking at other career fields. Getting into trucking is more of a lifestyle choice. And it isn't for every one. You mentioned several characteristics that would help you be very successful in trucking, but I would recommend that you take some time looking at the resources here on this site. Since this is my first post I'm not comfortable inserting links, but if you browse the different areas here you will find a great step by step process for getting into trucking including choosing what kind of freight you are interested in and choosing a school. There is also link to a free book Brett wrote about his career and what worked and what didn't. It might be a little old (Sorry Brett) but the only dated info is about the logbook. It is a fun and enlightening read.

Anyway, if you are still interested in trucking, stick around. As the site name states, you will find the truth about trucking here, both the good and the bad. That is very different from most of the other trucking sites.

Anyway Welcome,

Paul