average truck driver pay per mile 2021

The base salary for OTR Truck Driver ranges from $51,026 to $66,237 with the average base salary . The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects petroleum demand to remain low through 2021, which will keep diesel prices and fuel costs low for carriers. Come visit the DUV/RKY Landstar recruiting agency located off Exit 93 of I-77 in Ohio. Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. For the first time in 15 years, insurance availability and cost ranked in the top five industry issues. When negotiating rates with a company, stick to the facts. A driver making 40 cents per mile would get paid $1,000 for the same trip, making about $14.29 per hour. What about owner-operators? The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings. Truck drivers make $60,326 per year on average, or $29.0 per hour, in the United States. The answer also lies in the history of the transportation industry and labor laws. Visual ability. 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. That translates into average weekly pay ranging from $560 to $1,200. Despite the insurance cost trend, ATRI's data shows a drop in insurance costs from 2018 to 2019, which the institute described as "the most surprising cost center decrease.". Putting Walmart aside, the median annual pay for big-rig drivers in 2021, per BLS, was $48,310 or about $23 an hour. Railroad workers ensure that passenger and freight trains operate safely. Owner-operators bring home about this much. In 2018 according to Bureau of Labor, the average salary for truck drivers is $ $43,680. Ice Road Trucking: Ice road truckers are the highest paid in the specialty field with oversized load drivers and Hazmat haulers following closely behind. Federal regulations do not allow people to become truck drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, which may interfere with their ability to operate a truck. Average weekly pay of $1,400 to $1,600 or more per week since you can run as many miles as you can get. "This is only going to continue to expand across the industry, because it works well in so many other industries," he wrote. Median pay for big-rig drivers under $50,000. Implementation of safety tech will help to moderate the insurance increases, according to ATRI and Nuest. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. What Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers Do, How to Become a Heavy or Tractor-trailer Truck Driver, Employment projections data for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, 2021-31, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, Top Picks, One Screen, Multi-Screen, and Maps, Industry Finder from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages. These are all normal factors that play into the pay rates of truck driving. #1 + Quote Reply Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport. $58,425. 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. Remember, just because you gross over $150,000 per year, that doesnt mean all of that money is going into your pocket. Following behind GP Transco is Barr-Nunn, where the average salary is $87,142, and Walmart, with an average salary of $87,013. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $116.74 an hour. From what I've seen .30-.45 is good for new drivers or is that a bit high? And is it beneficial? Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. Most drivers can average 2,000-3,000 miles in a 70-hour workweek. A driver team is two drivers who drive in shifts while the . Truckers pay for gas in two different ways. Oversized load drivers: Oversized load drivers definitely make a comfortable living. . Those who succeed have reported bringing home earnings of $60,000-$80,000 or more. And the leading carriers are incorporating driver feedback into decision-making, according to Farrell. Fast forward to 1980, when the Motor Carrier Act became law. No matter the case, its important to remember that the average truck driver pay per mile will vary greatly depending on: With that said, you can get an idea of how much you should be making by looking at recent salary data from top employers and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the contrary, Nebraska, Oregon, and Texas offer the lowest truck driver salaries. Call Recruiting 877-441-9128. They must have a commercial drivers license (CDL). 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. If you drove all 52 weeks in a year at those rates, you would earn between $29,120 and $62,400. 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. Dry van owner-operators spent $45,416 on fuel, Reefer owner-operators spent $56,165 on fuel and Flatbedders spent $43,127 on fuel. 2 Years 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. Salaries below this are outliers. Drivers can get endorsements to their CDL that show their ability to drive a specialized type of vehicle. 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. The average pay per mile for OTR drivers is $0.44 - $0.58 per mile. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties. Negotiating rates that are based around mileage (cents-per-mile) instead of hours can be a smart career move for drivers. The largest employers of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers were as follows: Working as a long-haul truck driver is a lifestyle choice because these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. The median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $48,310 in May 2021. 20 % below national average Updated in 2021. 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 need for truck drivers should rise as households and businesses increase their spending and their demand for goods. A high level of concentration and a great deal of patience is needed for this job. Federal regulations require CDL drivers to maintain a clean driving record and pass a physical exam every two years. 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. 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. They claim that per-mile rates encourage drivers to minimize delays and get back on the road again. Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31, Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. We have researched the job market for this profession in detail and derived average values. Qualifications for obtaining a CDL vary by state but generally include passing both a knowledge test and a driving test. The industry average rate per mile typically varies between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile, although you will find exceptions outside those ranges. These are the best of the best in the industry. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. In addition to the above driver pay amounts, don't forget about the value of a comprehensive truck driver benefits package. While many market factors are outside of fleets' control, firms can monitor and benchmark operational costs against industry averages. This story is part of the Transport Dive Outlook on 2021, a series on the trends that will shape the industry in 2021. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. The average hourly wage for a Truck Driver - Heavy in the United States is $22 as of September 27, 2021, but the range typically falls between $20 and $26. Fleets are also adding flexible policies, such as allowing pets or family members on the road, Farrell said. Drivers saw the minimum wage as a cap on their potential earnings. Also, awarded Top Driver Recruiting Office in the country. By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below, I represent that I: By checking this box and clicking the "Send me job offers" button below. How Much Does Truck Driving School Cost? Average truck driver pay per mile is between 28 and 40 cents per mile . 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 tops earners average $300,000 and the lower 25% average $95,453. Remember, pay in the trucking industry is heavily dependent on experience, location and the company you work for. Most drivers complete between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. Average Truck Driver Salary - United States - By State Annual pay and hourly rate of pay for truckers. But many trucking companies will only pay this rate to drivers with experience in the industry. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face. Most heavy tractor-trailer drivers work full time. . Driver pay became the responsibility of the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). This web page is written by the staff of DUV, an Independent agent for Landstar Ranger. However, weigh station checks, repair times, and refueling stops are often not compensated, even though the driver must spend time completing these tasks. You probably asked yourself: how much can I make as a truck driver? Most drivers complete between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. Delivery truck drivers had a median pay of $16.51 per hour in 2020, . Safe driving, minimal damages, and other professional driving habits save the company money. What Is The Highest-paying Truck Driving Job? 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 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. Some companies are making the shift towards other compensation models, like hourly or even profit percentages. About 259,900 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. These costs often operate in tandem with fuel costs, as the tires are derived from petroleum. "The 'innovative' response has been to offer healthcare at the same price while carriers 'absorb' the difference," Farrell said in an email. To be clear, your pay per mile will not account for time spent: As you can see, drivers spend a lot of time waiting, and theyre often not compensated for it. They are also subject to random testing for drug or alcohol abuse. , Webinar The three most common per mile pay rates are: Practical Mileage: This is calculated using the most efficient distance between the origin and the destination. 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. This is the equivalent of $4,669/week or $20,235/month. In May 2021, the median annual wage for all workers was $45,760. What Is The Highest-paying Trucking Company. On these team runs, one driver sleeps in a berth behind the cab while the other drives. Owner-operators make significantly more per mile, but they also have higher expenses. make sure you're on a federal government site. Most drivers complete between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. "Higher starting bonuses are likely to become more commonplace," ATRI wrote. Compensation is rather low for rookie drivers, but pay rates usually increase after 6 months to 1 year. $76,050 . Some heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers plan their own routes. Load ratios are highest in the northern plains and Gulf Coast states. Job Listing Rules. However, many companies offer regular pay increases every few months during your first year as a driver. 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. 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. Material recording clerks track product information in order to keep businesses and supply chains on schedule. 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); On average, drivers (with some experience) are paid between $0.28 and $0.40 per mile. 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. However, its likely that drivers retire before they are able to reach that sought-after 6 figure salary. Data from 2020 will likely show increases in truck and trailer purchases costs per mile, as fleets accelerated their equipment buying from April through the end of the year. 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. The median overall annual salary for a heavy and tractor-trailer driver was $59,683 in 2019. Most people assume that owner-operators earn more money per year, and in most cases, they would be right. the United States! Passenger vehicle drivers operate buses, taxis, and other modes of transportation to take people from place to place. Physical health. . | 2 p.m. class type, city and state, number of hours of training. Many companies pay their truck drivers by the mile -. I give my express consent authorizing TruckersReport and its. Going off of these figures, truckers earn a higher salary than the average occupation in the U.S., which is $35,540 for all occupations. For the first quarter of 2022, the average owner-operator has . ATRI and Nuest said insurance premiums will continue to rise. 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. A dedicated driver that focuses on deliveries for a single company enjoys consistency with a specific route and enjoys more home time. Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers with similar occupations. Here are nine of the highest-paying jobs in trucking you may consider. Other drivers, such as those carrying liquids, oversized loads, or cars, must follow rules that apply specifically to them. As of July 2021, trucking rates per mile remain steady. 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. Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts. "We are committed to rewarding company drivers for the safe and professional work they do to excite our customers," said Dave Geyer, EVP and Group President of Transportation and Logistics at Schneider. In general, truck drivers are expected to drive between 280 and 430 miles per day, or up to 3,000 miles per week. although some drivers are paid as much as $0.45 per mile, All Trucking reports. Fleets' lease and purchase costs declined 2.3% in 2019 after a strong year of truck purchases in 2018. . The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. Finally, long-haul drivers earn more because each trip requires a significant amount of time away from home. Owner-Operator Pay Rates The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop. This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. Weekly Truck Revenue The median cost of trucking school is $3,500. The pay per mile model is considered piecework pay. Gross pay is the total wage you earn, without deducting health care expenses, federal income tax, or social security and Medicare tax. For more information about truck drivers, visit, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, For more information about truck driving schools and programs, visit, National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools. What Is the Average Local Truck Driver Salary by State How Much Do Local Truck Driver Jobs Pay per Year? Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers typically do the following: Most heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers routes are assigned by a dispatcher, but some independent drivers still plan their own routes. Most drivers complete between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week. In 1938, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) signed the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) into law. 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. FreightWaves estimates the total cost of operating a truck at about $210,000 annually (or about $1.76 per mile) based on the average truck driver driving 120,000 miles per year (400 miles per day, 6 days a week, 50 weeks per year). Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average. The trucking industry objected to a minimum wage for drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulates the hours that a long-haul truck driver may work. Truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests. Ice road truckers make $30,000 to $40,000 in three months. Jim Stinson Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers usually have a high school diploma and attend a professional truck driving school. Carriers are betting on widespread vaccine distribution to give way to a stronger 2021, particularly for the transport sectors sluggish in 2020, such as food service and industrial. $25,500 - $30,499 1% of jobs $30,500 - $35,499 6% of jobs $35,500 - $40,499 12% of jobs $41,500 is the 25th percentile. Depending on the company and with a safe driving record spanning several years, a driver can potentially earn upward of . 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. Many women doubt that reporting an incident will lead to consequences, the agency found. Thats why its important as a trucker to work for an employer that offers above average or, in the very least, fair pay per mile, so this can offset the extra time you spend off the clock, so to speak. How Much Do Truck Drivers Make in Canada? Some drivers may insist that corporate greed motivates their pay scale. You may hear dissatisfied drivers refer to unpaid tasks as donated time. Trucking companies insist that it is all part of the job, and the mileage rate covers a drivers downtime. But again, compensation per mile and the number of miles you get per week will vary greatly depending on who youre working for, and your experience level. ATRI did a study in 2021 and said the average cost per mile in the US for a truck to haul was $1.85 (driver pay, fuel, equipment lease/purchase, maintenance and insurance). It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH. In the early 1900s, working conditions across the United States were not always the best. But the Bureau of Labor Statistics does provide some figures to go off of. Volvo reported in October that fleets were resuming their pre-pandemic replacement cycles, resulting in truck orders increasing more than 60% YoY. Some companies pay more. Working as a long-haul truck driver is a lifestyle choice because these drivers can be away from home for days or weeks at a time. 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 . 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. Drivers also must plan legally required rest periods into their trip. Large carriers also tend to operate newer trucks with better fuel efficiency, thus contributing to lower fuel costs. Requires commercial drivers' license. "Motor carriers are redesigning how theyre distributing work so that drivers can have consistent miles, but also have the ability to be home in bed every night," Farrell said, pointing to trends in more regional routes versus over-the-road and more drop-and-hook locations all part of "creating a more desirable job experience.". Zip Class A CDL Experience Please select ALL of your current, valid driver's licenses CDL A CDL B CDL C Send me job offers Mar 26, 2018 #2 BrandonCDLdriver Road Train Member 1,191 1,462 Sep 1, 2017 0 30 is really low 45 is pretty high. Wages typically start from $28,020 and go up to $71,300. What Is The Highest-paid Trucking Company? $89,989 . Interestingly enough, truck drivers have the highest salaries in Wilmington, DE at about $70,911 per year. 5+ Years, Please select ALL of your current, valid drivers licenses. Driving a truck can be a physically demanding job as well. During this time, they drive a truck accompanied by an experienced mentor-driver in the passenger seat. The average pay for dedicated drivers can range from $0.40 to $0.64 per mile. If you drove all 52 weeks in a year at those rates, you would earn between $29,120 and $62,400.