How much money do truck drivers make?

Truck drivers are the ones who move the cargo from one place to another, usually at a fixed rate per mile or fixed rate per load. Truck drivers are paid per mile for the miles they drive. They also get paid hourly wages when they’re not driving.

How much do truck drivers make a year?

You may be wondering how much truck drivers make. It is not an easy question to answer, because there are many factors that go into determining what they make.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (the BLS) reports that the average annual wage for tractor-trailer truck drivers was $47,130 in May 2020, the most recent data available.

The salary of a truck driver depends on the type of company they work for, the type of vehicle they use, and where in the country they are driving. But this does not include part-time truckers or owner-operators who are independent.

According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), there are about 3.36 million truck drivers employed in 2020 (a decrease of 6.8% from 2019). As long as the industry struggles to find enough drivers to fill its orders, especially as many experienced drivers are starting to retire, wages should stay the same.

Hourly pay for a truck driver

The average hourly wage of a truck driver varies depending on the type of vehicle and the number of hours they work. The average truck driver’s hourly wage varies depending on the region. On an annual basis, the average total pay for a truck driver ranges from $36,000 to $74,000, with an hourly range of $17.50 to $35 per hour, respectively. This also depends on the company you work for and your experience in the industry.

Average Salary Of Trucking Types Of Jobs

Class A Drivers—average salary of $53,947

A driver who has a Class A commercial driver’s license is known as a CDL Class A driver. To operate large, heavy, and placarded vehicles, you’ll need a commercial driver’s license. A commercial driver’s license is divided into many categories, with Class A being for a car carrying a trailer with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 pounds. A commercial driver’s license allows them to operate passenger buses, tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and dump trucks, among other vehicles. They can choose to add endorsements to their CDL, allowing them to operate special types of commercial vehicles.

Company Driver—average salary of $61,7

A company driver assists a freight company with all transportation-related tasks and ensures that they are completed on schedule. Company drivers transport and deliver goods, equipment, products, and employees to various locations throughout the company. They are responsible for keeping their vehicles clean and reporting to the company about repairs and upkeep. Drivers for the company must also have the necessary licenses and have a clean driving record free of accidents and traffic infractions.

Class B Drivers—average salary of $40,9

A Class B driver is in charge of driving vehicles that must meet certain weight criteria, which are typically employed for commercial or industrial purposes. They should have a strong understanding of the mechanical industry, particularly when it comes to checking the vehicle’s engine and doing any maintenance repairs. To avoid accidents and delays in service, a class B driver must always follow the safe road standards.

Line haul—average salary of $58,6

A line haul truck driver is responsible for moving heavy items in huge trucks like tractor-trailers while maintaining timeliness and efficiency.

They are responsible for securing paperwork or invoices, keeping precise routes, driving for extended periods of time, liaising with and creating strong connections with companies, and assuring the safety and quality of every piece of cargo.

To provide a safe and effective work environment, line haul truck drivers must follow all traffic regulations and execute regular vehicle maintenance checks.

OTR Truck Drivers—average salary of $66,7

A professional driver who specializes in moving objects such as large freight, machinery, or construction materials from a home terminal to delivery sites is known as an over-the-road truck driver (OTR).

Due to the large distances, they must travel. OTR truck drivers typically spend more time on the road. To avoid vehicle breakdowns and delays, OTR drivers must inspect their vehicles and review shipping and transport documentation, as well as unload freight and collect charges from customers.

Commercial driver—average salary of $41,9

A commercial driver’s job includes delivering people, commodities, and services from one location to another as needed.

To ensure the safety and security of passengers and the quality of the merchandise while on the road, commercial drivers must have a clean driving record.

A commercial driver must have a thorough understanding of the mechanical industry and be able to communicate any issues to management.

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Hazmat certification

The DOT’s term for compounds that could harm people and the environment is “hazmat,” which stands for “hazardous materials.”

For truck drivers transporting toxic or flammable items, Hazmat certification is necessary.

It’s pretty dangerous, and there’s a lot of demand for these trucks.

Hazmat trucks are filled with things like petroleum products, radioactive materials, poisonous gases, and other things that could be dangerous.

Most hazardous trucking businesses give hazmat truck drivers a greater wage than other trucking companies.

This is because while determining the driver’s income, the occupation’s risk must be taken into account.

Drivers who want to transport hazardous materials need to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and a hazmat endorsement on their license.

Being an owner-operator

There are two types of truck drivers: company drivers and owner-operators. Company drivers are salaried employees, whereas owner-operators function as small or independent business owners. The most successful owner-operators can charge much higher rates than company drivers, but they also must pay for their own insurance, vehicle maintenance, and overhead costs. For company drivers, those expenses are covered by their employers.

Trucking Experience

Trucking companies prefer to hire drivers who have a sufficient amount of experience behind the wheel of a truck. While they may give opportunities to novice drivers from time to time, it is the more experienced drivers who get the best jobs.

Location

Another aspect that affects a truck driver’s compensation is the geographic area in which the truck operates. Trucking companies compensate drivers who operate in rough terrain or sparsely populated areas. Due to the fact that many of these areas are far from emergency services and are prone to highway robbers, drivers should be extra careful when on the road.

Alex M.