Realistic Pay

Topic 32872 | Page 1

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Bill W.'s Comment
member avatar

I have been at my current job for 17 years. Time to make a change. I know the first year will be tight, but is it realistic to earn over 75k a year after that? Not really interested in OTR , looking for regional. Out 1 to 2 weeks. Live near dayton ohio

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

Regional doing what? Driving where? Pulling freight for whom?

Too many variables and unknowns to give you a solid answer. It is possible, but is it likely? No would be my answer. I would say that $60,000 would be more likely after a year, but much depends on you. Lots think they would be great because they like to travel and love driving. That's a very small part of the big picture.

Check out Brett's book to start with.

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

Pacific Pearl's Comment
member avatar

YES, it is possible*

*Now for the fine print. One of the issues with this industry is that there is no hard and fast rule to say, "I have x years of experience with no tickets or accidents so I should make y". It doesn't help that there are a dozen different ways to get paid (ie 65 cpm , $30/hr, $27/hr with 12 hours guarantee, $350/a day, etc). Ultimately, it's up to YOU to know what you're worth and find an employer who agrees.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

BK's Comment
member avatar

I have been at my current job for 17 years. Time to make a change. I know the first year will be tight, but is it realistic to earn over 75k a year after that? Not really interested in OTR , looking for regional. Out 1 to 2 weeks. Live near dayton ohio

Bill, what a first and second year driver will make depends on dozens of factors. But I’m in my second year and I will gross about $75,000 to $80,000 for my second full year.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Bill W.'s Comment
member avatar

That's what's confusing the heck out of me. For years I've gone by hourly wage and I know it isn't that way with driving. Right now I'm looking at schneider and roehl. Not so much for money but for the extra training. They both seem to emphasize safety. I've been in the airline industry for years and that's ingrained into me now.

YES, it is possible*

*Now for the fine print. One of the issues with this industry is that there is no hard and fast rule to say, "I have x years of experience with no tickets or accidents so I should make y". It doesn't help that there are a dozen different ways to get paid (ie 65 cpm , $30/hr, $27/hr with 12 hours guarantee, $350/a day, etc). Ultimately, it's up to YOU to know what you're worth and find an employer who agrees.

CPM:

Cents Per Mile

Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.

Bill W.'s Comment
member avatar

Whi do you drive for? What type of route and truck? I'm thinking to start just a dry van , flat bed looks like it's quite a bit to learn on top of not hitting anything.

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I have been at my current job for 17 years. Time to make a change. I know the first year will be tight, but is it realistic to earn over 75k a year after that? Not really interested in OTR , looking for regional. Out 1 to 2 weeks. Live near dayton ohio

double-quotes-end.png

Bill, what a first and second year driver will make depends on dozens of factors. But I’m in my second year and I will gross about $75,000 to $80,000 for my second full year.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

Dry Van:

A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.
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