1st Year Truck Driver Pay - Here's the Cold, Hard TRUTH!!! 

Pretty accurate analysis! Pay will also vary, on what a driver wants to haul(like open deck, reefer, dryvan, etc.) And more than likely, if you are a rookie driver, you'll be starting out at one of these bigger companies. Here's the thing, they are gonna do your best to make you quit, to break you. The entire first year... They'll run you to death and constantly piss you off. Two reasons; 1. To know if you're worthy, or if you're a waste of their time. You have to realize, you are basically an investment to them, and not a cheap one. Would you invest in your work ethic? 2. They will run you more miles than you can handle, for reason 1, but also, you're cheap labor. They have new drivers run 25-30% more miles than experienced drivers, simply because experienced drivers cost more money! So, take advantage of the miles and run hard as you can. NO ATTITUDE! Even when it sucks...AND IT'S FUCKIN' GOING TO, I PROMISE! But if you just mind your p's and q's, keep improving your trucking skills, your work ethic, your communication ability, and you give them your all, that first year...then that company will literally do about anything you want, to keep you from leaving. [***And trust me, of all of those I just mentioned, you should know communication is by far the most import of them in your first year!] Better pay, better equipment/trucks, dedicated positions, even positions within' the company, other than driving. It's you calling the shots. But you have to give them that first year...if you don't, you'll just be average, at best, to them... I haul open deck, so it's a little more physical, and it's a dirty job...but my first year I made $63,000. But I know drivers that didn't make half that. You want it? Go and get it! But if you fail...it isn't the company's fault, that's a fact drivers! Good luck and be safe!

You hit the nail on the head. Be patient and pay your dues and you’ll start to see some good money. I’ve been a company driver for over 25 years and those first few years really tested me. But I stuck it out, kept getting more seniority with the company and now I’m earning close to 90 k plus benefits,401k, a company funded pension, 5 weeks a year paid vacation and I’m home every night with weekends off. Not bad for west Texas trailer park trash that never finished college.

I turned 23 yesterday and I’m going to truck school next week! I love driving.

Rookie here, 4 months. So far im looking at 60k starting.

You don't need high school degree or college degree for a lot of jobs, as long as you have a good work ethic and keep your eyes open and willing to learn then you are doing great. You sounds very educated

I'm single in my 30s, left the job I hated, recently moved back to my parents..... trucking......? What do I have to lose?

Sir, I have two college degrees and you are more well-spoken than I am. You're killing it. Never doubt yourself because you're the real deal and winner.

I appreciate it. Just got my CDL through CRST and the NADTA Program. Thanks for your honesty and your wisdom.

Thank you for what you do sir! This world would be better off with more honest and hard working individuals like you. Be proud of how you speak and communicate. You’re great!

Spot on. I’m 6 months solo and will make between $45,000-$50,000 gross this first year. Personally, I know I could make more if I wanted. But I value being home with my wife more. I found my balance and I’m not complaining. Great video.

Bro your man!!! Thanx for everything you do I'll be starting at pam on Monday and your a huge inspiration along with Chad and Wayne and if it wasent for you guys I would of waited another 5 years... thanx man so much respect

The positive words are very much appreciated. Much needed reminder that it's hard and dedicated work to truly succeed!

You earned my like and sub based on your vid. I just started trucking in Jan this year. However I've drove all over locally like dump trucks pulling equipment and so on. But since I've started I ran 3 a week from east tn to Ohio maybe 4 once but off weekends. It's all dedicated now they see I runy ass off and keep asking anything else I can do and now I'm 4 trips back to back making extra money. And only gone Sunday to Thursday off the remaining. Point being your exactly right and the company sees you putting work in and good things happen but a lil sacrifice goes a long way. Thanks brother good video

Been driving for a dozen years or so. He's telling the truth about starting. The other thing I would stress like crazy to new people is to control your spending at truck stops on snacks, etc. And if you can bu stock up on food supplies when you're home, do it. Way cheaper than buying it at a stop. Soups, chips, etc are always cheaper at Walmart or Costco.

Great having honest People telling like it is and not creating false expectations!

Love your video!!! Been in Tourism for 16 years and now starting my trucking career. Love driving. Fantastic video!!

I like your honesty man, thank you

you mentioned you don't have an education, but it does not show or matter. you have a great presentation style, clear voice, and easy to relate to. good video :)

Thank you for this video Trucker G! My boyfriend just has a high school diploma and he doesn’t want to go to college, I don’t blame him. He loves to drive and I think if he tries trucking out he’ll like it and he’ll be making more money than he ever did at any of his other jobs. Truckers are so essential and it’s definitely a secure job that will always be there. Thank you for this video, I’m going to show him! 😄

This guy is a G indeed! Much respect.

I like the way u talk straight up...keep it going bro

Good positive video. Breath of fresh air...thank you

Thanks a lot!! 👍👊💪 Take care of yourself!! I'm a truckdriver to. 🇭🇺 Cheers from Hungary!!

Dude ! You are real. Im subscribing!

You are articulate and intelligent, you speak just fine, don't let higher degree snobs talk down to you, no one should let that happen. I really learned a lot from this video, thank you.

I already have a career but for some reason I find these fascinating. Thanks for sharing

HUGE RESPECT SIR. The best guidance in a few minutes I've got regarding the Trucking business

He is a respectable and nice guy

You are pretty much spot on It's all about how you approach the position. It's my 1st year and yeah I'm on course of hitting the higher side. If you have a family? You MUST have the conversation with ALL members to discuss what it will take to make it a success. Without their support you'll fail

Thank you the first 2 mins was really help like right off the bat helpfull and im 17 lookimg into trucking and im all ready studing for the cdl licences

Good advice! My father use to drive a semi for a tomato plant and was a plant manager. :)

I'm from Puerto rico really considering to start in the trucking industry, this really reassured me since I'm so nervous on moving over there snd msking a living out of trucking

Spot on..brother...work hard..cause trucking will reward you...!

You speak very well, excellent video. Thanks for the helpful information.

I watched this video more then 10 times because trucker g, is motivating me to start the job I love, I am 28 and single I can stay on the road even 10 month with out home, thank you big brother god bless you and your family.

Love your attitude bro

You actually speak very well. Thank you for your affixed and motivation

Great video. The first video that offered the mirror solution. Very true.

Thanks for the information I’m retired from my previous career and I’m thinking about going OTR

Thanks for making this video. I'm going for my CDL Learners permit tomorrow and hopefully starting driving school in Feb. I've been reading and hearing some discouraging things about the pay but I have no way of knowing if it's true but what you said makes sense and seems believable. I subscribed and look forward to learning more from your videos.

Have a good day!

Thanks for your video sir, it was quite informative and thought me a lot as someone who have eyes on becoming a trucker in America

I enjoyed the video. You speak great.

Thanks for the info because I am wanting to get my cdl license and start a better life.

Thank you, I will take this advice.

I appreciate your comments. You speak fine. I was thinking about trucking, but I finished my degree instead.

This man dropped a lot of gems

very good advice buddy keep safe

Years ago it was well respected, paid, & a fun job. U can have it.

*GOD BLESS YOU! 🎯 *EVERYTHING YOU’RE SAYING IS TRULY APPLICABLE TO ANY BUSINESS! 🏆

Bro thank you for your inspiration thank you GOD BLESS YOU

Don't underestimate yourself. The way you talk you seem like you have a phD Doctorate degree. Salute to you sir.God bless

Short, simple, crisp, no bullshit. Thank you kindly sir!

I loved your video . A lot to learn from small video

This is good advice in general. Especially the part about "trip planning." I'm not a trucker, but time management is a big deal no matter where I work. Companies are looking for folks that can work efficiently and increase the bottom line--not folks that increase overhead.

Makes sense, you wan't to make bank you gotta work for it. Drive safe brother!

Peace be upon you brother, thanks for your advice baraak Allahu feekum

Thanks for the advice brother.. Be safe out there and God Bless!! I just obtained my cdl last week and looking forward to the opportunity to improve mine and my families lives. Trying to soak up all the info i can before i jump into the industry.

Great honest info

Just letting you know Sir I am not even a truck driver and i am thinking to start trucking life and i really enjoy your vidoes i am your biggest fan because you are so nice 👌 Love you Brother

Sound advice brother..thx

Look at the camera not the screen on the phone. I have this issue too. It helps to flip the phone around to the front facing camera so you don't see yourself. On another note. Your wage greatly depends on YOU. Listen to this man, he is telling you the truth.

You actually speak really well.

Good video. No HSchool needed.

Good information thanks.

Don't worry about not having a high school education. Remember life experience. Take care keep safe.

It depends on the company you go with to start! I drove the wheels off my truck and didn't even clear $30k for the year. You do have to pay your dues the 1st year. Get by your 1st year, then go from there.

I will say that I was motivated to run at every trucking company I worked for. I will say that I made an average of $500/week at most of these big trucking company. I always delivered on time and even ask for preplans. I was terminated from one for not want to sit without pay and driving back to the terminal. Let me give a shout out to the two companies that I did really well: Questliner and Heniff transportation. I made 91k one year with Heniff and 92k with questliner. Both companies were tanker w hazmat. (Lot more responsibility) I found that when a company pays for everything else besides driving you will make a handsome paycheck. I also want to mention Bennett transportation I was in their oversized and heavy hauling division. I did really well with them. (Also high responsibility)

Youre awesome. Thank You 👊

Dude you're educated AF I sometimes make 30 an hour but my job is really dangerous. I don't want to go work in a hospital right now.

Hey thank you im looking into getting a truck licence here in Chile, but i recently got it so im a rookie on driving need at least 2 years min but thank you for the vidoe !

Trucker G- I started in 1989- My first 2-3 years avewrage salary was 25k- Even at the time it was low- Course a big learning curve- Bought my first truck in 1992- common wagons were 45-48 footers- 53's just coming round and Nobody wanted them- Now,Its a must to utilize them. my first Truck was an 87' 362..... Trucking has changed 99%...Drivers dont wear their hearts on their sleeves- A lot of selfishness and lack of courtesy with the motoring public- In a Hurry all the time......Good to see a few like you left out here, And what you did for Jim and Connie will not be forgotten by many- God Bless all the Truckers out here-And Be safe.

Truck drivers have a lot of time to think. What they do with their thinking is who they become. If they mostly listen to music than think then that shows when they discuss a topic. This man is obviously a relevant thinker.

Great videos.

Thank You, Great video

Good to know thanks for sharing

Thank you

You're 100% correct. However the big Companies do pay garbage. I'm just finishing my first year I did over 100k. I utilized the Companies for my first 6 months experience. Then got real picky and found an incredible company. I have only been home twice in the first year. This coming year will be more home time. And I'll keep over the 100k mark. It's all about discipline

Good looking out bro 👍🇫🇯

Thank you for the info...Just got my CDL and set to start with Transport America on the 18th..wish me luck!!!

Salute Brother

Got my CDL from a beer distributor, learning to drive and had to work the load. It was pretty tough both physically and mentally but the job paid 75k the first year and home everyday. Then ran tanker/hazmat for a while. Now, 6 years into my CDL, I run under my own authority.. never had to go over the road.

Your vocabulary is better than some Masters degree peeps I know! Thank you for the useful information and be safe out there!

Very helpful thank you

He’s talking nice for the Cameras. Every truck driver I know including me can make even people that think they have a bad mouth blush at will.

I used to run regional. Going home two times during the week and for the weekend. Not to bad of a gig. Paid decent. But I will say I make more a a mechanic fixing trucks and only working 50 hours a week.

You got it right my BROTHER CT CANNON 701 2YEARS IN 13 SPEED SPLITTIN GEARSAFTER 6 I LIKE PYSHIN PAVEMENT

4:36 hes right. Thanks for the information

I'm going on 2 years, my first year I bounced around with companies found a good company and now I have a sweet set up awesome dispatch a good cpm. But damn that first year was rough it's all about finding what suits you and it can be hit or miss. Bad pay but good management or Visa versa it's all about finding that Goldie locks zond

Thank you.

Your exactly right, I see people complaining all the time and yes there is lower pay for new drivers and you get stuck places for hours, but they'll talk about being home every week or two, well there's your problem, in order to make cash you gotta turn n burn out here, if your running for 26-34 days before you take that week home time you'll make $5- $800 a week even at the lowest pay rate out here.

Dont underestimate yourself just because you dont have a HS diploma. It is never too late to apply yourself and get an education. You're very intelligent. You have a good head on your shoulders!

Hey dude cool video 😎 Top wages in Europe is about €45,000 $50,000 I’m 28 years driving Rigs but here experience and years of service don’t get u nothin 🤘

Got my CDL class b a few months ago and I’ve been driving a dump truck for a living.

I needed this. I'm about to get my cld

I think you speak just fine buddy; a degree is NOT all as cracked up to be. Trust me I have Master Degree and I know colleges these days are full of idiots and people lacking common sense(liking your making more money then them and the marxist professors). People that know trades are winning. I'm thinking of getting my CDL. My uncle has an art degree but he does CDL driving

Great informative video. Thanks!

I’m home every day and have been for 30 years now, I haven’t left the yard in three years ( hostler) now, the drivers and dockworker I work with make $70,000 to low $100,000

Thanks for this video. I really feel your honesty and it makes sense in a way. Gotta work hard and show them that you really want the work period. It’s like any job you gotta give it a 110% like you say “ Show them you wanna work”. I was getting pretty discouraged because of a video that I saw about companies having a driver shortage and everyone arguing that companies don’t wanna pay and that’s why drivers don’t last. But you just made it clear that if you want the money you really gotta sacrifice, want it and learn the business. I’ll be in touch I’m checking out several companies with their sponsor programs. Before I forget when you stated look in the mirror. It tells me that those driver that don’t road plan correctly or are spacing out stoping everywhere is because they’re not making money and that’s why they get discouraged. Will be in touch if you’re ok with that, I’m going to consider you my mentor. God Bless keep up the good work.

40k? Coming from 5-15k a year every night home and two days off. at part time retail or retail jobs is a huge leap. Trucking has just given me another stepping stone to that nice comfortable desk job