When deciding on a career, many consider becoming a truck driver. It is not a job for everyone. You spend many hours alone and on the road away from your friends and family. However, it pays well and has excellent benefits that make sacrifices worthwhile.
The truck driver’s salary comprises the number of miles they traveled, with a set rate per mile. That rate varies depending on the years of experience different drivers have or the region they will be driving in.
For example, Werner Enterprises invested more than $30 million in 2018 to increase the salaries of its truck drivers. The investment increased their pay per mile by 11.8%. So, even if you begin at a specific rate per mile, you can increase it by improving your performance and matching industrial demands.
In addition, truck drivers have the opportunity to earn bonuses in addition to their regular pay. But it also depends on what kind of driving you do, your certifications, and the materials you have in your arsenal.
Several factors can be considered if truck drivers want to improve their income. Here are some of the significant factors that are essential for improving the salary scale of any truck driver. Here are eleven factors that go into calculating a truck driver’s salary.
Mileage
If you’re a driver who loves to go the distance, then you can earn money quicker. Smaller driving distances are often convenient, but they provide lesser pay.
Education and Licensing
Truck drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License earn more than drivers without one. Furthermore, trucking training and education also play a significant part. For starters, if you enroll in a commercial driving school, you will have a higher chance of landing a job than those who opt for private training.
For starters, you don’t get hands-on experience while learning through private tutoring. If you’re looking for a good trucking school, contact a U.S. trucking school right now.
Experience
In today’s trucking sector, the employee turnover rate is relatively high. Let’s face it: Most people don’t have the endurance for this job and join the cause because of good pay. But they end up quitting within a short period. But if you stick around for some years and prove yourself on the road, you can command a more competitive package.
Location
Usually, locations don’t play a heavier role in the salary difference for a truck driver. But some regions might help you earn more than other regions.
Bonuses
Bonuses depend on what the companies offer their truck drivers, such as outstanding rewards and bonuses, which take their salary scale to a better level. Several bonuses are provided to Class A truck drivers. A few of them are as follows
- Monthly mileage
- Fuel efficiency
- Layover pays
- Clean DOT Inspections
Specific Roles
There are specific truck driving roles in the industry. And different types of trucking jobs offer different salaries. So, if you want to build on your truck driving experience, you must research.
Different Structures for Devising Truck Driver’s Salary
Within the trucking industry, you will find that some carriers and companies use different ways of calculating wages. Of course, we mentioned that getting paid by the miles you drive is the best way to finalize transactions. However, there are other ways to measure a truck driver’s salary, which we will elaborate on below.
Truck Driver’s Salary on Per Hour Basis
Hourly compensation is quite common in employment, and similar is the case for the trucking industry. According to statistics, a truck driver’s average wage is $24 per hour. What makes hourly payment advantageous is that you will receive your assigned weekly hours to record your steady income and plan accordingly.
Truck Driver’s Salary on Per Mile Basis
Most young trucking drivers opt for trucking salaries based on the number of miles driven. The mileage may vary from time to time, but when comparing their wages to other salary structures, they earn a lot more. It all depends on how much you can endure. If you have a good tolerance level, go for the per-mile option.
Truck Driver’s Salary on Route Basis
Similar to hourly pay structures, some companies pay on a route basis. In many cases, a truck driver with a standard delivery route will more likely get paid an hourly wage than a lump sum amount. If the routes are relatively short, there’s no need for you to travel overnight, reducing the overall pay.
For long routes, drivers should follow the FMCSA regulations before they take the trip. Remember that these regulations are only effective if you take longer than the 150-mile radius.
Should you work for a Small-scale Trucking Company or a Large-scale one for Good Truck Driver Salary?
However, this is an essential question if you want to make the most of a promising trucking career. Larger companies offer a broader range of salaries than smaller ones. A study reported that truckers who worked in smaller companies had CPMs ranging from $0.35 to $0.50. On the other hand, truckers who were part of large-scale trucking organizations had CPMs ranging from $0.23 to $0.60.
But you must consider other factors as well. For instance, a small trucking company will help you build strong connections with coworkers and higher-ups. You might also have a flexible job and be offered more responsibilities to demonstrate leadership. So, think about that when you’re applying to a trucking company.
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take the wheels and hit the roads. A new career with a spectacular future awaits you. Truckers can potentially make a lot of money annually if they are persistent and have the qualifications to do so. You can start respectably and quickly move up the ranks in less than six months. So, start your CDL training search right now and contact the local trucking schools right now.
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