Thinking of becoming a semi-truck driver? It’s a great occupation if you enjoy traveling, good pay and job security. Not everyone’s cut out for this kind of work since it’s quite taxing. If you are, however, the opportunity to drive a truck could be the perfect fit.
One of the first questions people ask about concerns pay. Let’s take a look at what you can expect your paycheck to look like.
What’s the Annual Income of a Semi-Truck Driver?
It depends on a number of factors. To become a driver, you first must go to truck driving school and get your CDL license. This can cost between $3,000 and $7,000.
If that kind of money isn’t something you have, no worries. There are many companies who’ll help you get your license in return for working for them for a set amount of time. If that’s the case, your first year’s income could average about $28,000. Not bad for starting out and having your training paid for and completed.
From there, if you’ve proven yourself to be a trustworthy hard worker, your pay will gradually increase. A seasoned semi- truck driver with a CDL can keep moving up in pay. The nation’s average is about $40,000 a year or $19.15 per hour. For the most part, the area you’re located in doesn’t have a big influence on pay since there’s such a high demand for good drivers.
Further Considerations and Saving Money with Pacific Pride Locations
Some things to consider when thinking about how much a semi-truck driver makes is the type of pay. Hourly, per mile, as well as routes closer to home versus long-distance hauls are all important to factor in.
When finding employment with a trucking company, it’s beneficial to find one that utilizes Pacific Pride locations. This makes fueling your rig easier on you and helps the company you work for to avoid costly interruptions.