Being a truck driver is one of the vital jobs within the country, because if the goods are not delivered then customers cannot purchase those goods. But how much do truck drivers make in their first year and per year?
The salaries for truck drivers depend on their location and their experience. Those drivers starting out their careers can expect their salaries to be around $30,000. Drivers with experience can expect an average salary of $40,000 to $60,000 per year, with around $40,000 in their first year, and those with a clean driving record can even expect the figure to rise to up to $70,000 per year. However, it is important to note that different companies pay differently. The salary will also depend on where the goods are taken and the time spent on driving the load. There are exceptions to the above stated rules when drivers take an exceptional load or drive in the special conditions meaning. Here is the list of conditions under which truck drivers may be paid more:
How much do truckers make within those exceptional cases and can these be an alternative career for truck drivers?
This is a special category of truck drivers which does not fall directly into a job category. Owner operators are considered more as a business owner and can earn around $220,000 per year. It does sound like much more but it is important to consider that these drivers are responsible for much more than a standard truck driver.
This driver’s category is not so common in the US as there are not many areas where truck drivers can drive in such conditions. However, should one be interested to drive on icy roads – welcome to Canada! The truck drivers can earn up to $80,000 in a quarter of a year, having said that not all drivers can drive on those roads. To be able to drive in such conditions drivers need to be experienced and would need to prove a safe driving record with different types of equipment.
Driving such loads means exceeding the legal dimensions, drivers of such loads will need to be extra careful with the routes taken and take extra precaution. Usually there will be a crew escorting the driver as oversized loads tend to be more expensive. As the goods are more expensive, the insurance will increase and hence the compensation to the driver will mean a higher salary on average $70,000 to $120,000 per year.
These are the drivers who tend to take expensive loads such as racing cards or collectible goods. The cost of such goods means drivers have to be extra careful to deliver those goods in excellent condition, in addition to the safety measures that need to be taken to prevent the theft of these goods. The average compensation for these drivers can vary from $65,000 to $90,000 per year.
Team drivers are those drivers who drive the vehicle for very long distances non-stop. The team consists of two drivers who take turns to drive the vehicle. This can happen if a customer would need a fast delivery, if a single person is to drive the same distance it would be approximately six days, whereas the team can drive it in three days. As this would be paid more by the customer it would reflect on the drivers salaries which would vary from $65,000 to $81,000 per year.
Private drivers are the drivers which work for retailers or manufacturers and take their loads to the stores or to customers. One of the well-known private companies is Walmart. The perks of being private drivers are the better conditions and not such long hours, however these companies prefer drivers to have experience. The average salary would be $88,000 per year.
These are the drivers who drive huge dump trucks within the mining industry. Driving these trucks requires extra caution along with high productivity. Legally these trucks cannot be driven on the roads meaning the drivers operate them on exceptional off-road conditions. The salary for such drivers can vary from $55,000 to $80,000.
Driving a tanker requires the knowledge of physics as extra caution has to be taken when turning with a liquid or a gas in the tanker as this is not as simple as with the standard load. The average salary is $75,000.
Driving hazmat loads means that the drivers need to be alert and take extra caution when driving, as the load, in case of any accidents, is dangerous. Furthermore, drivers will need to pass background checks and follow additional regulations. As the load is specialized and requires extra equipment, along with higher insurance costs, the drivers are compensated more. The average salary can vary from $55,000 to $75,000 per year.
Alternative jobs for truckers do exist and can pay more than being a standard truck driver. When considering any of the above drivers should ensure that the necessary requirements are met. Some opportunities are available without any further requirements, while others require additional qualifications or training completed. Overall, how much drivers make in an hour or how much the truck driver makes in the first year can vary from the figures mentioned above, in addition it will vary on the company, state and experience of a driver.
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