There is expected to be an increasing demand for trucking drivers over the next decade, which means there’s good money to be made. Find out how you could be earning a $100,000 trucking salary with an online search right now.
Explore the various routes within the trucking industry, discover the key factors that contribute to higher earnings, and gain insights into the growing opportunities for skilled truck drivers in today’s job market.
What Factors Impact a Trucker’s Pay?
Not all truck drivers are paid the same. There are various factors that can determine how much a trucker is paid, such as:
- Their level of experience;
- The company they haul for;
- The type of truck they drive;
- Their endorsements, and;
- How much they drive per month. 1
Experience is possibly the biggest indicator in how much you’ll make as a driver. More years under your belt means that you’ve dealt with all types of problems or unexpected roadblocks, so you’ll know how to deal with them.
How to Make $100K Per Year
In 2021, the median pay for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $48,310 per year. 2 But you might be able to earn as much as $100,000 per year by applying for the right trucking position.
Truck drivers have the opportunity to make a lot of money depending on:
- Their specialty;
- How much they’re willing to drive, and;
- What they’re hauling.
Certifications and Collaboration Pay Off
Experienced drivers can make more money by specializing in a certain skill set, such as handling hazardous materials. Becoming certified can create more job opportunities.
Alternatively, drivers can work with a partner to earn more money. This is when you drive with another person and take turns driving. Roadmaster says teams can split an average of up to $100,000 to $150,000 per year. 3
How to Find High Paying Trucker Jobs
There are various ways a trucker can earn a high salary. A good place to start would be applying to unionized trucking companies. They typically make higher wages than an average driver since there is a standardized rate of pay. 4 There are other worthwhile perks to working for a union, such as medical coverage and driver advocates.
For someone with significant experience in the industry, they can skip the job search by taking the next step and become an owner-operator. This introduces the potential to eventually grow the business and hire your own fleet of drivers.
The best place to job search is online. You can browse through job sites and apply based on your skillset and level of experience. Since truck drivers are in demand, you may be able to secure higher pay rates.
