Depending on where you go to begin truck driving and how much experience you have will determine you’re starting pay. The company that you choose to drive with will also play a big part in how much you will start at, how many miles you will get and what exactly you will have to pay for (gas, layovers, hotels, etc.).
Some companies require that you pay for your own gas and then you are reimbursed later on which can cause problems and discrepancies in how much you are truly owed. With most major companies such as Swift, JB Hunt, and CR England you will be provided with a truck and gas. However with larger companies, the pay usually starts out a couple cents lower than local companies because big companies have a higher volume of drivers. Local companies are less established and usually don’t offer as many benefits or miles. It is really a game of balancing between starting pay and the benefits that are offered.
Most of the larger companies will start you out between .26 cents and .32 cents if you have no experience. With trucking, the more experience you have the higher your pay will go. It also depends on where your runs are located (east or west coast) and also what division you are in (dry van, reefer, flat bed, hazmat, etc.).
Those new to truck driving usually start out driving dry van, where you will average between 1,700 and 2,500 miles per week. Most new drivers make around $42,000 their first year of driving. Mentors and driver trainers can make up to $58,800 a year and drivers with 10+ years experience can make anywhere between $60,000-$100,000 a year depending on how long they are out and if they own their own truck or not.