Realistic Beginner Driver Pay For Regional Drivers

What is a realistic yearly gross income expectation for a beginner driver (first job after getting CDL) doing regional routes with time at home on weekends with the family? I live near Asheville, North Carolina. I see ads for trucking jobs promising over $60,000 or $70,000+.

Thanks, Waylon Mopshins

Welcome John, your asking a very generic question. A big factor is the type of freight your hauling. Another is the companies procedure for running regional. Some companies do out and back and others develop a customer base to keep their trucks running in somewhat a big circle. Typically OTR will make more, but not always. I ran a regional at one time that I got as many miles as OTR drivers got because of the customer profile. I’ve seen some regional gigs that got very few miles. Normally pay is mileage based. If I was looking into a regional gig I would find out how the company manages the typical route and the pay scale for it and go from there.

I did about $48k my first year out. Ran flatbed for McElroy, home every weekend. That is in Texas. Different locations can make a difference even within the same company.

Hey John, a realistic expectation is $40,000 to $45,000. That's going to improve as you improve, but those are realistic numbers for your first year out here. It takes three or four years to really get the hang of managing everything in this career, but usually once a person has been out here five years they can earn $60,000 plus.

Remember, trucking pay is performance based. We don't have salaries. We get paid for what we produce. Some folks are really geared toward that type of pay. As a driver improves his time management practices, and his understanding of the dynamics involved, he can earn a very decent paycheck out here.

Thanks for the reality check. I really appreciate all of your responses. That was very helpful. I’ve just got a local job offer (not a trucking job) with a salary just over $40,000. I think I’ll do it for a year and maybe come back to the trucking idea if I’m not diggin’ it.

If I went the trucking route right now, I would have to go the paid CDL route (such as with Roehl) since I don’t have the savings to cover paying for my own schooling right now. I’m afraid to make that kind of a commitment if it turns out to be too hard on my family. I do think the trucker lifestyle would fit my personality. I’m sure I would like it better than the job I’m about to take, but I just wish it paid enough more so that I could justify it with my wife who would be stuck wrangling our twin boys alone when she’s not at work herself.

Thanks again, John

John replied...

Thanks for the reality check. I really appreciate all of your responses. That was very helpful. I’ve just got a local job offer (not a trucking job) with a salary just over $40,000. I think I’ll do it for a year and maybe come back to the trucking idea if I’m not diggin’ it.

If I went the trucking route right now, I would have to go the paid CDL route (such as with Roehl) since I don’t have the savings to cover paying for my own schooling right now. I’m afraid to make that kind of a commitment if it turns out to be too hard on my family. I do think the trucker lifestyle would fit my personality. I’m sure I would like it better than the job I’m about to take, but I just wish it paid enough more so that I could justify it with my wife who would be stuck wrangling our twin boys alone when she’s not at work herself.

Thanks again, John

John, 40k the first year is an average. Second year, any trucker worth their weight in salt is capable of topping 60k. Most of the experienced drivers on this forum make over 70k annually. Does the non-driving job you are contemplating, offer an upside of 50% second and third year.

I’ve seen people do the exact same thing you are doing, only to kick themselves a year later for prolonging their agony and limiting earning potential.

Ha ha. Oh boy, you’re reeling me back in. No offense, but is there anyone else out there that can back up what G-town is saying (someone that isn’t a moderator, recruiter or looking for a referral bonus)? I’m specifically asking about regional trucking jobs that would have me home on the weekends. I live near Asheville, NC.

The more independent voices, the better. I really am on the fence and I need to make a decision soon. Thanks!

John

John replied...

Thanks for the reality check. I really appreciate all of your responses. That was very helpful. I’ve just got a local job offer (not a trucking job) with a salary just over $40,000. I think I’ll do it for a year and maybe come back to the trucking idea if I’m not diggin’ it.

If I went the trucking route right now, I would have to go the paid CDL route (such as with Roehl) since I don’t have the savings to cover paying for my own schooling right now. I’m afraid to make that kind of a commitment if it turns out to be too hard on my family. I do think the trucker lifestyle would fit my personality. I’m sure I would like it better than the job I’m about to take, but I just wish it paid enough more so that I could justify it with my wife who would be stuck wrangling our twin boys alone when she’s not at work herself.

Thanks again, John

John, 40k the first year is an average. Second year, any trucker worth their weight in salt is capable of topping 60k. Most of the experienced drivers on this forum make over 70k annually. Does the non-driving job you are contemplating, offer an upside of 50% second and third year.

I’ve seen people do the exact same thing you are doing, only to kick themselves a year later for prolonging their agony and limiting earning potential.

Gtown, other moderators and all others that engage in this forum do it for the sake of helping others get started and survive their first year. We all volunteer our time. We are against referral bonuses because many times someone will feed someone a load of BS just to get some extra cash through referral bonus. Stick around and you will not see us trying to do that and posts that do try will quickly be deleted.

Everything you've been told is 100% accurate and information we all stand by.

Hey John... pardon me but WTF do you think I am here for?

Try writing another response..,more respectful.

I started in mid January, and was with a trainer until 3/22.

My check stub as of 9/6

I am hourly, northeast regional , home on weekends.