What is the Average Salary of a Long Haul Trucker?

Naturally, anyone interested in long-distance transportation can ask themselves: “How much do long-distance truckers earn? The salary of a long-distance truck driver can vary quite a bit depending on a wide variety of circumstances. Ultimately, it's up to the driver himself to determine which path to take and how he should manage his trucking business, making decisions that will determine his salary as a long-distance trucker. Let's take a closer look at what it means to be a long-distance truck driver, what a long-distance driver's salary is, and some essential tips for increasing the amount of money that long-distance truckers take home. Since fleet managers or other parties take care of the backend, long-distance truck drivers only have to worry about staying focused while on the road.

This means driving safely, loading and unloading cargo, and maintaining the truck by checking tire pressure, fluid levels, and more. Routine checks on your vehicle will help improve fuel efficiency and save money on repairs, as it will help your truck last longer. At the same time, you'll also have less control over your long-distance truck driver salary, as it will be set by your employer; however, this could be a good option whether you're just starting out or if you've been in the industry for a while. However, despite these challenges faced by long-distance truckers, the potential earnings of a long-distance truck driver's salary mean that diligent transporters and owner-operators who can take responsibility can reap the many rewards offered by long-distance transportation. The salary of a long-distance trucker will largely depend on the amount of experience they have.

If you're just starting out and joining a fleet, it makes sense for a company to start you with a salary that could lean toward the lower end of that average. After all, trucking is a job that requires skill and safety, and long-distance truck drivers will need to prove that they are reliable before they can start earning more money. It's important to recognize that, along with that much higher salary, come a lot of pros and cons. Owner-operators are essentially their own bosses, setting their own schedules and running their own business. This can mean managing your own small fleet with a small group of drivers, but it can also mean working as one person operating a single truck.

The salary estimates are based on 15 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by employees of a long-distance truck driver.

What is the Average Salary of Long Haul Truckers?

These carriers and owner-operators transport loads across the country on long trips, spend a significant amount of time away from home, but they also operate very freely and independently. Many long-distance truck drivers start out working in fleets, either for an outside transportation company or as part of a private label fleet, such as Walmart or Pepsico. But the truth is that the salary of a long-distance truck driver can vary greatly, depending on the type of transportation operation you are part of and how well you can manage your truck and its loads. If you're thinking about becoming a long-distance truck driver or are planning the next step in your career, find details about the position, career path, and salary trajectory of a long-distance truck driver. Long-distance transportation (also known as OTR or road transport) is the function that people often associate with trucking in general.