average truck driver pay per mile 2021

Truck driver salaries vary depending on region, type of equipment, and a driver's experience level. Throughout the U.S., the average salary for a truck driver is roughly $60,326 per year, which boils down to $29.0 per hour. Ice road truckers make $30,000 to $40,000 in three months. To set a fair price for your flatbed truck services, you need to consider things like: The trailer type you need to carry a load She attributed the rise to inflation and rising incidences of nuclear verdicts, which are legal awards of more than $10 million. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Water transportation workers operate and maintain vessels that take cargo and people over water. Some heavy truck drivers who transport hazardous materials, such as chemical waste, must take special precautions when driving and may carry specialized safety equipment in case of an accident. These charts show the average base salary (core compensation), as well as the average total cash compensation for the job of OTR Truck Driver in the United States. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average truck driver salary/pay as $47,680 per year. EMR Drivers Service the Route, not the Truck. How Much Does A Normal Truck Driver Make? . Fleets' lease and purchase costs declined 2.3% in 2019 after a strong year of truck purchases in 2018. Although you might not be able to make $100,000/year off the bat, but given the truck driver demand, and with experience, specialization, CDL training and the right company, you can make $80,000+ on a trucker salary. Rookie wages are lower, typically between $0.27 and $0.29 per mile. During these classes, drivers also learn the federal laws and regulations governing interstate truck driving. Truck Driver: salaries per region. Larger fleets have more bargaining power with fuel suppliers than smaller fleets. On these team runs, one driver sleeps in a berth behind the cab while the other drives. The average pay for dedicated drivers can range from $0.40 to $0.64 per mile. Driver pay became the responsibility of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). Most truck drivers are paid on a cents-per-mile basis. Additionally, truck drivers make more than the average salary in Newark, NJ, New York, NY, Salem, NH, Richmond, KY, and Philadelphia, PA. On a more broad level, truck driver salaries are highest in Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. In addition, some drivers have routes that include Mexico or Canada. Industry averages for total driving labor expense per mile range from $0.49 to $0.83 ($0.67 per mile on average). A driver team is two drivers who drive in shifts while the . Many companies pay their truck drivers by the mile -. The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $48,310 in May 2021. The average local truck driver's pay per mile is between $.28 and $.40 per mile. Use these tips to get better pay. In the trucking . Dry van owner-operators spent $45,416 on fuel, Reefer owner-operators spent $56,165 on fuel and Flatbedders spent $43,127 on fuel. If youre thinking of getting into the trucking industry, you may be wondering how much you will be paid per mile. #1 + Quote Reply Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. Learn about salaries, benefits, salary satisfaction and where you could earn the most. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. If you want to know why truck drivers do not receive hourly wages, the answer depends on whom you ask. Without guidelines to determine safe driving times, many drivers stayed on the road for 24 hours at a time to transport goods. Consider contacting state and federal lawmakers and urging them to review the laws governing trucker pay. Build a reputation as a good driver. "Once insurance carriers are realizing profits again, they will be able to stabilize rates," Nuest said. GP Transco truck drivers also report happiness with the transparency and support the company provides. Large carriers also tend to operate newer trucks with better fuel efficiency, thus contributing to lower fuel costs. Note that to make an even comparison between time-based and mileage-based rates, you must compare gross pay with gross pay or net pay with net pay. How Much Does Truck Driving School Cost? Unlike other industries, truckers are paid by the mile not hourly, or on a salary basis. A high level of concentration and a great deal of patience is needed for this job. They must have a commercial drivers license (CDL). An official website of the United States government More than 90% of respondents in ATRI's research said they offer health insurance, and nearly 90% provide paid vacation. When negotiating rates with a company, stick to the facts. Some heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers plan their own routes. 1 Year The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. ATRI consulted with insurance experts on the cost decline and concluded that the industry is maxed out in its ability to pay high insurance premiums. In addition to the above driver pay amounts, don't forget about the value of a comprehensive truck driver benefits package. "Tire demand will reflect economic activity," ATRI stated, adding that tire costs are expected to rise over the next year. The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2021 to 2031. Most heavy tractor-trailer drivers work full time. ATRI noted the decrease in operational costs did not apply evenly across all sectors namely private truck costs, which increased from $2.73 in 2018 to $2.80 in 2019. To determine pay per hour, take the number of miles per trip times the pay rate. Fast forward to 1980, when the Motor Carrier Act became law. class type, city and state, number of hours of training. Depending on the company and with a safe driving record spanning several years, a driver can potentially earn upward of . No part of this website may be copied without express written permission from Secrest Direct, Inc. Landstar Heavy Haul Jobs Landstar Independent Trucking Jobs, AEB Requirements Next on the Federal Regulations Docket, Lawsuit Abuse Reform Act for Owner-Operators, Electronic Identification for Commercial Motor Vehicles, Owner-Operators Facing Diesel Fuel Shortages. The distance is calculated by satellite along a known route, and is typically reflected in a truck's onboard electronic logging device (ELD). . Per mile wages are easier to track than hourly wages, but can be affected by the weather, traffic, speed limits, and other . For instance, a rookie driver earning 28 cents per mile for a 2,500-mile trip would receive $700. For all of 2021, the average owner-operator spent $45,605 on fuel. Upon finishing their classes, drivers receive a certificate of completion. Most companies require their truck drivers to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Many fleets responding to a Morgan Stanley survey expect continued tight capacity, high demand and elevated rates this year. If costs in these . The trend toward private fleets converting to dedicated carriage is beginning to appear. PAY $0.73CPM per mile reefer/ $0.68 CPM per mile dry van Average miles 2500 ~ 2800+ miles per week solo/4000 ~ 5000+ miles team ; ALL MILES are PAID MILES ( empty + loaded, zip code to zip code); Here are the 10 worst states, plus D.C., for truck driver states: So, youve entered trucking with the intention of earning as much as $100,000 each year. Visual ability. While many market factors are outside of fleets' control, firms can monitor and benchmark operational costs against industry averages. With 5 years of experience add 5-7 cents per mile to that number. If we look at the truck driver salary statistics in USA as of March 1, 2023, the represented employee makes $72,280; to be more precise pay rate is $6,023.33 per month, $1,390 per week, or $36 per hour. Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts. The industry average rate per mile typically varies between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile, although you will find exceptions outside those ranges. 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Federal regulations require that a driver be able to hear a forced whisper in one ear at 5 feet away (with or without the use of a hearing aid). Truck drivers earn an average yearly salary of $47,130. Meaning if an ice road trucker could work a year straight with very little vacation time, they may earn an annual salary of $120,000 to $160,000. Truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests. Remember, just because you gross over $150,000 per year, that doesnt mean all of that money is going into your pocket. Salary: $45,000 to $60,000. But they dont necessarily earn a significant amount more. Here Are The Five Most In Demand Cities Right Now: Here are the five companies hiring the most now: Here are some examples of how much a truck driver salaries can based on different industries: The retail industry pays truck drivers an average salary of $58,554, The lowest paying industry for truck drivers is the construction industry. Drivers must record their hours in a logbook. Federal regulations require a driver to have at least 20/40 vision with a 70-degree field of vision in each eye and the ability to distinguish the colors on a traffic light. This period of on-the-job training is given so that the new drivers will learn more about the specific type of truck they will drive and material they will transport. Keep up with the story. The new year is a time to start planning budgets and setting financial targets. May be required to unload truck. If we look at the ups truck driver salary statistics in USA as of March 1, 2023, the represented employee makes $85,674; to be more precise pay rate is $7,139.5 per month, $1,647.58 per week, or $42.67 per hour. Additionally, some companies have stricter standards than what federal regulations require. Truck driving school cost ranges anywhere from $425 to $10,000. What Is the Average Local Truck Driver Salary by State How Much Do Local Truck Driver Jobs Pay per Year? More Information, Including Links to O*NET, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Delivery Truck Drivers and Driver/Sales Workers, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm, Report any incidents encountered on the road to a dispatcher, Secure cargo for transport, using ropes, blocks, chains, or covers, Inspect their trailers before and after the trip and record any defects they find, Maintain a log of their working hours, following all federal and state regulations, Report serious mechanical problems to the appropriate people, Keep their trucks and associated equipment clean and in good working order. Fleet size plays a big role in fuel costs. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website has a list of these violations. But the vast majority still pay by the mile. States have the right to refuse to issue a CDL to anyone who has had a CDL suspended by another state. Thursday, September 8, 2022. Most tractor-trailer drivers are long-haul drivers and operate trucks with a total weight exceeding 26,000 pounds for the vehicle, passengers, and cargo. The projected numeric change in employment from 2021 to 2031. In fact, it can take 10 years of experience to start earning about $60k annually. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver Salary. Still, costs are up significantly over the last decade, ATRI said in its report. Pay rates in the trucking industry vary greatly, and the rate youre paid per mile may be very different from your trucker friends. The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual income for truck drivers in 2014 was $39,520. About 259,900 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. But less than half of fleets said they give drivers paid sick leave. Assuming a driver can obtain $2 per mile (including fuel), this would mean that the average carrier drops $30,000 . Owner-operators bring home about this much. The vast majority of trucking companies pay their drivers by the mile rather than the hour, so a lot depends on how many miles you drive. In the very least, know what youre getting into. Average Salary of Trucking Types of Jobs Class A: $49,000 CDL Driver: $46,000 Truck Driver Run OTR: $62,000 OTR CDL Truck Driver: $57,500 Dump Truck Driver: $39,000 CDL Truck Driver: $51,500 Tank Truck Driver: $59,500 Bulk Truck Driver: $52,000 Semi-Truck Driver: $49,000 Per Diem Tax Rates for Owner-Operators As of October 1, 2021, the per diem tax deduction rate is $69 per full day and $51.75 per partial day. Delivery truck drivers had a median pay of $16.51 per hour in 2020, . If you drove all 52 weeks in a year at those rates, you would earn between $29,120 and $62,400. However, the costs of maintaining that truck can be so high that after everything gets put into account for that-you pretty much can cut that earning potential in half. Among other stipulations, the law introduced a federal minimum wage and held employers to workplace safety standards. Compensation is rather low for rookie drivers, but pay rates usually increase after 6 months to 1 year. Among other things, these drivers are responsible for insurance and vehicle upkeep operating costs for a tractor-trailer average $1.38 per mile. Fleets have already locked in 2021 build slots for trucks and trailers, according to FTR, as carriers anticipate continued freight demand this year. Truck drivers in this industry earn an average salary of $49,927. Landstar DUV /RKY Agency 10922 State Route 212 NE Bolivar, Ohio 44612. Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers held about 2.1 million jobs in 2021. Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Most drivers will get between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. For the first quarter of 2022, the average owner-operator has . The highest paying companies for truck drivers are W. R. Grace & Co and Walmart according to our most recent salary estimates. Average yearly earnings for a semi-truck driver in 2020 were about $47,130, which was a slight increase from $43,590 four years earlier. Federal regulations require CDL drivers to maintain a clean driving record and pass a physical exam every two years. J.B. Hunt Transport Services Jobs (2,070), Box Truck Driver-Located In Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm (visited March 03, 2023). Tire costs have largely trended downward over the last decade, though the decrease is less than 1 cent per mile, or about 25 cents per hour, since 2011. The overall average salary for a truck driver is around $60,000. although some drivers are paid as much as $0.45 per mile, All Trucking reports. Estimated average of $3,421 per week Company Solo Driver $0.37 - $0.60 per mile Up to 3,000 miles per week Estimated average of $1,239 per week Owner Operator Driver $1.22 - $1.75 per mile Up to 3,000 miles per week Estimated average of $4,162 per week Salaries by years of experience in California The charts below illustrate trends in operational costs for fleets, according to ATRI's data. Trucking Rates Per Mile Stay on top of truck freight rates per mile and keep your profit margins high. Average truck driver pay per mile is between 28 and 40 cents per mile. Keep in mind that the per diem rate for January 1, 2021, to September 30, 2021, was $66 per day. "Truck lease and purchase costs are expected to remain constant over the coming year," ATRI said, noting a "tumultuous" buying period in the latter part of 2020. In 1938, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into law. The median overall annual salary for a heavy and tractor-trailer driver was $59,683 in 2019. The Real Cost of Trucking - Per Mile Operating Cost of a Commercial Truck Calculate Your Own Cost-Per-Mile: The Cost of Trucking $1.38 The average per mile operating cost for the trucking industry $180,000 The average total yearly cost of operating a commercial truck The largest operating expense is diesel fuel. Full-time truck drivers can expect to spend up to 300 days a year . Even if youre already in the business, you may want to find out if your pay rate is fair, or below average. Based on the average salary data we have, we can make the following conclusions: There are some people who recommend not accepting pay thats less than $0.40 per mile, which equates to about $40,000 per year for most drivers. . Most people assume that owner-operators earn more money per year, and in most cases, they would be right. 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. The jobs that pay between $0.40 and $0.45 per mile are typically given to drivers with many years of experience and have exceptional driving skills. That translates into average weekly pay ranging from $560 to $1,200. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. This amount includes base wages, incentive compensation, per diem, accessorial pay, workers comp, health insurance and retirement benefits. Are you thinking about becoming a professional truck driver? Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations. Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average. The highest-paying trucking company is GP Transco. Following behind GP Transco is Barr-Nunn, where the average salary is $87,142, and Walmart, with an average salary of $87,013. Data on how experience level affects total compensation is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as part of their National Compensation Survey, which is based on factors such as knowledge, complexity, contacts, and environment. Here is how you know. While moving across state lines isnt achievable for everyone, it could make a huge difference in how much youre paid, as well as how far that money goes. All long-haul truck drivers must have a commercial drivers license (CDL). Each year, the American Transportation Research Institute collects cost data from TL, LTL and specialized fleets and compiles the finding into a report the most recent of which was published in Q4 2020. Each company we work with has specific experience requirements for their drivers. Running your own truck is a lot of work, and you need to know what youre up against. What Is A Good Starting Salary For A Truck Driver? Last Modified Date: In this article: Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. GP Transco has one of the lowest turnover rates of all trucking companies, and this is partly because of the great salary and benefits. Average truck driver pay per mile is between 28 and 40 cents per mile . Putting Walmart aside, the median annual pay for big-rig drivers in 2021, per BLS, was $48,310 or about $23 an hour. Most drivers can average 2,000-3,000 miles in a 70-hour workweek. Privacy | Find a company that pays fair rates. Without your consent employers will not be able to contact with job offers, would you like to opt-in now? Other actions can result in a suspension after multiple violations. $40,500 - $45,499 16% of jobs $45,500 - $50,499 12% of jobs Most drivers complete between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. In 2020, the Northeast was the . But fleets changing what commodities they hauled, when demand grew in some categories and fell in others, may have increased insurance premiums due to perceived risk of hauling an unfamiliar product, she said. Fleets are also adding flexible policies, such as allowing pets or family members on the road, Farrell said. NEW increased driver pay and incentive package: Average $1857 per week Additional incentives available to earn up to $14,000 a year Home daily You will drive: Brand new equipment: 2021/2022 Freightliner Trucks Best-in-class specs designed for comfort 24/7 roadside assistance/maintenance XM Satellite radio subscription But if youve just completed truck driver training and are looking for your first job in the industry, youll be lucky to get much more than $0.29-$0.30 per mile. Truck driver pay per mile affects the total annual income. That translates into average weekly pay ranging from $560 to $1,200. This amount is subject to variations, both up and down, depending on employment status, location, and training. This means for an experienced independent truck driver traveling an average of 70 miles an hour on the interstate can make an average of 56 dollars an hour. Many companies pay their truck drivers by the mile. This statistic depicts the average total marginal cost per mile for freight trucking in the United Sates from 2017 to 2020, broken down by region. This number can vary depending on the type of freight and weight you are hauling. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. . The average truck driver's pay per mile is between 28 and 40 cents per mile. In order for you to receive the best possible offers, please make sure your answers above are accurate prior to submitting. It costs about $180,000 per year to run a commercial truck. The average Commercial Truck Driver salary in Tennessee is $51,890 as of February 27, 2023, but the range typically falls between $45,890 and $59,490. In addition, companies like Air Products and Praxair report highly competitive wages for truck drivers. 6-11 Months Even if you cant move, knowing where your states trucker salary stands in relation to others is key to understanding how well youre compensated. Regional truckload dry van drivers with their hazmat endorsement will start at 55 cents per mile and average $1,350 in five days, with an estimated annual compensation of $70,200 per year . These drivers deliver goods over intercity routes that sometimes span several states. As of Feb 22, 2023, the average annual pay for an Owner Operator Truck Driver in the United States is $242,826 a year. And the leading carriers are incorporating driver feedback into decision-making, according to Farrell. | 2 p.m. Weekly Truck Revenue According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the government agency that publishes employment figures, the 2021 median heavy and tractor-trailer truck driver pay was $48,310 per year or $23.23 per houramong 1,951,600 drivers. The American Transportation Research Institute's latest trucking costs data suggest last year was good for carriers, but maybe not so much for drivers.