Earnings The stated earnings are based on data provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics unless indicated otherwise. Earnings will vary by geographic location and union and non-union work. To determine the going wages for this occupation in your area, consult: Newspaper ads State or county employment offices (ask for their labor market data) Local employers Union locals (consult your phone book or the union's national office listed below) Earnings information is categorized by: Truck drivers in general Truck size Distance driven Employer size Self-employment Geographic location Earnings for Truck Drivers in General In 1995, truck drivers earned an average of $13.39 per hour for straight-time work (without overtime). Return to top Earnings by Truck Size Depending on the size of the truck, average hourly earnings were as follows: Medium trucks $14.64 Tractor-trailers $14.07 Heavy straight trucks $13.17 Light trucks $ 8.56 Return to top Earnings by Distance Traveled Local Truck Drivers: As a general rule, local truck drivers receive an hourly wage and extra pay for working overtime, usually after 40 hours. Route (Local Sales) Truck Drivers: Most route truck drivers or driver-sales truckers receive a commission, based on their sales in addition to an hourly wage. Long-Distance Truck Drivers: Employers pay long-distance truck drivers primarily by the mile. Their rate per mile can vary greatly from employer to employer and may even depend on type of the cargo. Typically, earnings increase with mileage driven, seniority, and the size and type of truck driven. Most long-distance truck drivers operate tractor-trailers, and their earnings differ widely, from as little as $20,000 to over $40,000 annually. Return to top Size of Employer Typically, the size of the trucking establishment influenced the relative size of drivers' earnings. Large establishments (2,500 or more employees): Truckers who drive for large establishments had the highest earnings, averaging about $11.17 to $19.23 an hour in 1995. Small establishments (fewer than 500 employees): Truckers who drive for smaller establishments had average earnings that ranged from $8.31 to $16.11an hour in 1995. Return to top Self-Employed (Owner-Operator) Truck drivers Most self-employed truck drivers are primarily engaged in long-distance hauling. After deducting their living expenses and the costs associated with operating their trucks, earnings of $20,000 to $25,000 a year are common. Return to top Geographic Location Truck drivers in the Northeast and West had the highest earnings; those in the South had the lowest. < Truck Driver Table of Contents   Next Topic: Training > Data Sources: Women truck drivers U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Handbook U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Women at Work's "Careers in Transportation: A Counselor's Guide to the Best Jobs"     | Home | Contact | Search/Sitemap | User Guides | Events | Internet Guide | Email Lists | Copyright © 1998, Wider Opportunities for Women, All Rights Reserved.