There are plenty of reasons to consider a career in truck driving. Many people feel drawn to the lifestyle. After all, what other profession enables you to see so much of the country? Others might enjoy the solitude that comes with long hours on the road. Countless people have felt attracted to the profession due to what they’ve heard about generous compensation. But you might be wondering: which truck drivers make the most money? Today, we’ll explain the factors that impact the compensation of truck drivers.
Have you ever wondered which truck drivers make the most money? Today, we’ll explain the factors that impact the compensation of truckers.
Experience
In almost any profession, years of experience positively correlate with compensation. This is just as true with truck driving, too. The more years you’ve been in the business, the more money you can generally make. You can expect to earn as much as $20,000 more annually with more than 10 years of experience. That said, experience is not the most crucial thing in determining which truck drivers make the most money.
Where You Live
A starting salary Pittsburgh is going to be a whole lot different from one in San Francisco. So it is with truck driving. Of course, the cost of living in certain locations can make differences in salary less worthwhile than they might appear from the outside.
Truck drivers can generally make the most money if they choose to live and work further away from major cities. This is where long-haul truckers are most needed, and where the cost of living is lowest. Here are some of the states in which truck drivers make the most money:
- Mississippi
- New York
- Wyoming
- North Dakota
In some instances, truck drivers will make the most money when they work in locations frequently plagued by treacherous road conditions. This is something you should keep in mind when deciding where to live and work as a truck driver.
Owner-Operator or Company Driver?
We can break truck drivers down into two basic categories: company drivers and owner-operators. Company drivers are hired by companies and entrusted with a company-owned vehicle. Owner-operators, on the other hand, own their vehicle themselves. They generally have far more flexibility to schedule their own routes. To top it all off, they get paid more, too.
You should keep in mind, though, that this comes with a major catch: owner-operators have to cover the costs of repairs to their vehicle. That said, owner-operators can make as much as twice the salary of your typical company driver, so this can more than even out in the end.
Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star for all Your Trucking Needs!
Whether you are looking to upgrade your fleet to tow trucks or simply interested in the latest trucking technology, you can rely on Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star. We have provided top-notch service for the trucking industry for 30 years and would love to assist you in buying a new top-of-the-line truck, finding the specialty parts you need, or repairing your truck. Give us a call toll-free at 800-832-7278 or locally at 410-685-4474, or contact us online. To find out more about what we are up to, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Tags: compensation, truck driving, trucking basics