How Much Does a Truck Driver Make In 2022?

How much does a truck driver make? It’s an important question to ask if you are thinking about pursuing a career in trucking, or if you’re curious about what sort of salary a truck driver will earn with different amounts of experience or qualifications. Truck drivers can earn substantial salaries depending on where they drive and what their responsibilities entail, so let’s take a look at the average salaries of some different kinds of truck drivers as well as how much they can expect to make in 2022.

A Typical Day on the Road as a Truck Driver

On an average day, I drive 600-700 miles. I spend most of my time on major highways, but try to alternate between Interstates and state roads to break up long stretches on freeways and avoid driving in rush hour traffic. My longest stretch is 22 hours with time for breaks and meals built in, so that means if I drive around 15 hours or so, I can make it home to sleep at night (or have some much needed rest). If you’re wondering about how much does a truck driver make, my gross annual income after expenses ended up being about $37,000 last year which means I need to get paid more than $40/hour before taxes just to cover all my costs!

What Are The Hours of a Truck Driver?

Truck driver jobs are grueling—they require a lot of time on-the-road and it can be difficult to predict when you’ll arrive at your destination. In addition, many states have strict regulations about how much time a truck driver can spend behind the wheel, leading to a lot of unexpected stops. While some truckers might enjoy more flexibility and downtime than other professions, there are other factors to consider before entering a trucking career—namely pay, benefits and job outlook. Here’s what you need to know about salaries for truck drivers in 2022.

The Salaries of a Common Carrier

So, we all know that truck drivers make good money, right? Let’s find out how much truck drivers actually make in one year and where they fall on a salary scale. In 2013, American Trucking Associations reported that driver income is based primarily on operating revenue, number of driving hours and miles driven. Let’s take a look at what they found: The median annual income for a long-haul truck driver was $42,500 in 2012. For example, a truck driver working 35 hours per week who averages 2,000 miles per week could make approximately $35 per hour.

Behind the Numbers: Average Income of a Common Carrier

The average salary of a truck driver is $38,310. That’s nearly identical to what it was 10 years ago—and what it will be 10 years from now. Year after year, income for truck drivers does not increase much; you can expect to make about $38K whether you’re driving a semi or a car hauler. The best-paid drivers work for common carriers; these folks drive trucks and vans that move passengers, laundry and packages between cities across North America, says Bob Costello, chief economist at American Trucking Associations (ATA). Earnings are lower if you’re in transit freight: You can expect to make an average of $35K per year if you haul goods between manufacturers and distribution centers.

What Are Some Other Advantages of Being a Trucker?

While drivers have their benefits, they’re not exactly coddled. A lot of truckers do complain about long hours, poor pay and stress. But there are some perks that come with life on the road. Truckers enjoy a more flexible schedule than most people. They can work as many or as few hours as they like, and make pretty good money along the way. Since trucking companies need to stay competitive in order to attract drivers, trucking jobs usually come with nice benefits packages too; health insurance, retirement plans and other perks help round out trucker salaries.

What are some downsides to being a trucker?

Though there are many upsides to being a truck driver, there are also some downsides to consider. The lifestyle of a trucker is extremely demanding and stressful. If you’re looking for a career that will allow you to work from home and travel occasionally, becoming a truck driver may not be for you. While one day on the road might not be so bad, once you start combining days on-the-road with nights away from home it can make it difficult to maintain family or social relationships. Truckers typically have fewer opportunities for advancement as well. Most companies prefer hiring drivers with experience over new drivers because they feel they can trust someone who has already proven themselves over someone who might have more potential but is untested.

Can You Be a Full-Time Trucker and Work Part Time Too?

One of your first considerations is whether you want to be a full-time truck driver or a part-time one. While there are advantages and disadvantages to each, full-time drivers make more money on average and enjoy more benefits. On average, full-time truckers earn around $41,000 a year ($21.68 per hour), with salaries varying depending on driving route length, company, and experience level. Part-timers can take advantage of flexible scheduling and drive when they want as long as they hit their target each week (up to 60 hours per week). However, their paychecks are significantly smaller at around $25,000 a year ($12.50 per hour).

A Final Word on Being a Trucker

Truck drivers are great at what they do, and their dedication to driving is admirable. However, we still have some things to learn from them. Trucker communities on Reddit sometimes mention driving safely while texting as one of their biggest pet peeves – and I tend to agree with them. Always put your safety first; if you need to make an urgent call or send a text message, use hands-free technology, pull over when possible and always keep your focus on driving – not on what’s happening in your pockets or in front of you. If you’re looking for advice on how to get started being a truck driver, consider contacting us at Diesel Direct – we can answer any questions you may have about how to become one!

Conclusion

A truck driver’s salary can vary widely by region, but it’s generally in line with average wages across different industries. On average, a truck driver earns between $35,000 and $90,000 per year (although some may make much more), depending on experience and seniority. As a truck driver, you have to cover your own costs. This means that you must pay for any gas used to run your vehicle as well as maintenance costs. Drivers also typically have to pay for their own health insurance coverage as well as other expenses like hotel rooms during long trips—which is why most drivers don’t make a lot of money until they’ve been working for years and gained significant experience behind the wheel.

How Much Does a Truck Driver Make In 2022?