August 16th, 2009
Truck Driving Salaries
If you are looking for a truck driver job the number one question on your mind is probably, How much money do truck drivers make? This question is a very interesting and exciting thing to think about as we will go through the items that truly effect truck driver income and we will give you realistic salary values.
This is not a cake walk however because the operation ratio for most trucking companies is about 95%. That means for every dollar earned it costs the trucking company 95 cents to operate. This only gives a profit of about 4.8 cents on the dollar. The trucking industry alone bring in about $255 Billion in revenue per year!
Here is the meaty part that you have been waiting for, the big money! Truck drivers and individuals looking for truck driving jobs can expect to be making $32,400 ” $42,300 per year to start out on average. This income figure also depends on the size of the trucking company you get hired for. Truck Drivers that are owner operators gross between $100K ” $150K per year with a 50% operating cost. This makes their net incomes per year equal to about $50,000 ” $75,000.
Logically you can count on grossing $35,000 per year when you start. Be very wary & aware when you hear about offers to make $60,000 a year as a new truck driver. If you are an owner operator & own a truck then yes, $60,000 is a realistic number. This figure just does not happen for new truck drivers who dont own a truck.
Truck driving jobs pay well & often come along with benefits such as health insurance etc. Remember that these driving jobs are in high demand as america hauls over 9 billion tons of cargo around the country every year! Directly connected with that figure is that 70% of communities directly rely on the trucking industry for the delivery of their merchandise! Trucking is a part of the American way & it’s a way of life.
Truck driving is very rewarding and is part of what makes America the country it is today!