HowExpert

Bruce Stimson

About the author: I have been driving a truck full time for over four years at the time of this publishing. I have been a company driver for three of those years, and an owner/operator for a bit over one.

In the four-plus years that I've been driving, I have spent one year driving most of the lower 48 states. I haven't made it up to North Carolina or a few other states in the northeast, but all of the others I have. For the last two years, I have been truck driving with my team from Los Angeles to the Kansas City area and back. We did that twice a week. After doing that for about a year, I was able to get a driving position working nights and being home every day. I did that for almost a year. I left there because the company did a pathetic job of maintaining their equipment. I was afraid of getting stopped by law enforcement. So I left them and got my own truck to take care of. Now I am contracted with a carrier to move their freight and it works out a lot better.

Let's talk about money. Most truck drivers can expect to earn $30,000-$40,000 in their first year. I know some drivers who work as solo drivers and decide to give up their apartments so they can stay in the truck all year long and save money. They still take days off from time to time and stay with friends, family, or rent a hotel for a few days so they can take a break. Once you have six months experience, you may be able to find a job that pays more money. I've seen motivated drivers earning in the $60,000 range in their first year. The money is there to earn if you look for it. Too many drivers get complacent and they stay with the same company, in the same position, making low wages for years and years. Sometimes all you need to do to increase your income is switch positions within the company.

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