How are truck drivers paid?

The average truck driver's pay per mile is between 28 and 40 cents per mile. Most drivers complete between 2000 and 3000 miles per week.

That translates into average weekly pay ranging from $560 to $1,200. If you drove all 52 weeks in a year at those rates, you would earn between $29,120 and $62,400.

Some companies may offer their truck drivers a base pay in addition to their cents per mile rate. Pay per mile is the most common in the industry because it allows for flexibility and efficiency while still equating to a good wage, and many companies pay drivers weekly.

Regional drivers operate in a specific part of the country. Regional jobs usually allow the driver to get home every week or every two weeks. Regional driving pays, on average, $0.37 to $0.55 per mile, meaning you could earn between $727 and $1,081 per week ($37,840 - $56,249 per year).

Solo over-the-road (OTR) drivers work in the continental US and may cross into Canada or Mexico. The average pay per mile for OTR drivers is $0.44 - $0.55, which means you could take home between $865 and $1,081 per week or more in just your first year of driving ($44,999- $56,212 per year).

A dedicated driver that focuses on deliveries for a single company enjoys consistency with a specific route and also enjoys more home time. The average pay for dedicated drivers can range from $0.58 to $0.78 per mile, providing an average income range of $1,140 up to $1,538 per week or more ($60,000 - $80,000 per year).

A driver team is two drivers who drive in shifts while the other rests. Team drivers earn an average of $0.48 - $0.75 per mile and can see up to $1,923 per week all the way to $2,884 per week ($100,000 to $150,000 per year). Find out more about team driving here.

Driver pay can vary quite a bit between companies. Look for employers who have been in the business for a long time and have a proven history of paying well and respecting their drivers.