How much money do truck drivers make in the United States?
Trucking is one of the booming industries in the United States. There is a high demand for truck drivers in the US. This is partly due to the tight labor market. The bustling US economy also had an effect on the trucking industry.
According to the report of the United States Bureau of Labor, the average annual wage of a tractor-trailer truck driver is around 43,680 to 45,570 dollars. The wage of a truck driver depends on many factors such as location, years of experience and CDL training.
The wage of the driver depends on how much they are paid. Many trucking companies pay their drivers by the mile than by the hour. There are regions that pay more than others.
Factors that Impact Truck Driver’s Income
Experience
Truck driving is a tough work and it has a high turnover rate. Truck drivers who have more experience have a higher pay.
Type of Job
Trucking is used to transport different goods. Truck drivers transporting oversized loads and hazardous materials are paid higher. The more risk involved in the job, the driver is paid higher.
These types of jobs are usually given to drivers who are with the company for several years. This is for safety purposes.
Type of payment
Different companies have different pay structures. Two of the most common ones are Pay per Hour or Pay per Mile. It is found though that Pay per Hour provides the most financial security for the driver.
Hazmat certification
A truck driver that has hazmat certification and has experience hauling hazardous materials can request or command for a higher pay.
Type of Truck
Truck drivers that have experience driving tankers, refrigerated trucks and flatbed trucks can have a higher pay. This is because of their knowledge and skills that are required to handle these types of vehicles.
Type of Driver
There are two basic categories of truck drivers. These are the company drivers and owner-operators. Owner-operators are like small business owners. Company drivers are salaried personnel.
Owner-operators can charge higher rates but they also have a lot of expenses. This includes vehicle maintenance, overhead costs and insurance.
Work Record
Trucking companies give high value for those drivers who are reliable and also safe on the road. Drivers who have proven track records of being cost effective (under budget), sticking to the schedule and delivering the loads in good condition are paid extra.
The best drivers can even request compensation. This is for long delays due to weather or traffic.
Employer
Regional LTL carriers and private carriers typically pay higher than others. Searching for a company that pays high rates and give the best benefit packages can improve the salaries of the drivers.
Best Paying Trucker Jobs
Team Driving
This type of job entices many truck drivers. This is because both members are paid for all the miles they spend on the road. This gives both drivers a chance to rest while still being on the road. They can switch with each other on who takes the wheel.
Private Fleet
Large companies that can afford private fleets usually pay higher than an average trucking company. The prime example is Walmart with a median income of around 86,000 dollars.
Union Drivers
Workers usually find better pay through union labor. This is because unions have a standard rate of pay. They typically pay higher than the average job.
Truck drivers often ask, “How much do truck drivers make in the US?”. Well the answer is, it depends on the location. The following are average annual wages for the different regions:
East Central- $45,850
North Central- $45,990
South Central- $43,025
Southeast – $43, 340
Northeast- $45, 579
Northwest- $48,660
Southwest- $47,350
There are lowest and highest paying states for truck drivers. The following are some of the highest paying states for truck drivers:
Alaska- $57,630
District of Columbia- $52,760
North Dakota- $52,080
Nevada- $50,920
New York- $50,460
Massachusetts- $50,310
Wyoming- $50,200
Some of the Lowest-Paying States for Truck Drivers:
West Virginia- $39,520
Maine- $40,040
Alabama- $40,580
South Dakota- $41,590
Mississippi- $41,900
Virginia- $42,660
The following are average annual wage of truck drivers per state:
Alabama- $40,580
Alaska- $57,630
Arizona- $45,430
Arkansas- $41,980
California- $47,300
Colorado- $48,840
Connecticut- $49,880
Delaware-$44,160
District of Columbia- $52,760
Florida- $42,020
Georgia- $43,260
Hawaii- $48,910
Idaho- $42,010
Illinois- $48,650
Indiana- $ 46,210
Iowa- $43,820
Kansas- $46,180
Kentucky- $45,550
Louisiana- $42,090
Maine- $40,040
Maryland- $47,940
Massachusetts- $50,310
Michigan- $43,450
Minnesota- $48,710
Mississippi- $41,900
Missouri- $45,070
Montana- $46,100
Nebraska- $44,710
Nevada- $50,920
New Hampshire- $45,030
New Jersey- $49,080
New Mexico- $44,460
New York- $50,460
North Carolina- $44, 030
North Dakota- $52,080
Ohio- $45,010
Oklahoma- $43,880
Oregon- $47,410
Pennsylvania- $46,650
Rhode Island- $48,360
South Carolina- $44,270
South Dakota- $41,590
Tennessee- $43,660
Texas- $45,260
Utah- $45,600
Vermont- $45,250
Virginia- $42,660
Washington- $ 48,620
West Virginia- $39,520
Wisconsin- $45,950
Wyoming- $50,200
What are the bonuses and benefits of truck drivers?
Easy Access
Trucking requires few qualifications. Post-secondary education is not required to operate trucking vehicles. Truck drivers just need to have a license and training.
The training time doesn’t usually take more than seven weeks. Training requirements can be affected by the state’s policies. Same states have more rigorous standards.
Job Security
As long as the driver keeps their license up to date and doesn’t get into any vehicular accidents, trucking is a secure employment. There is no major labor gap in this industry. This means that companies are not going to downsize on their drivers.
No Commuting or maintenance cost
The trucking company covers all repair cost and gas cost. This means you don’t have to worry about price at the pumping station. This may be an obvious perk but the money saved from gas and repairs certainly adds up.
This means more take home money and increased savings.
The wage of a truck driver depends on his efforts, experience, skill set and location. Trucking is a financially stable job. One just need to undergo required training, be safe on the road and keeps license up to date.