How Much Money Do Truckers Make

First question that many have is, "How much money do truckers make?" It's a simple question with a complex answer. I could tell you that in 2025 the average truckers salary is about $71,446 but there are many variables that will determine a trucker's salary.

And that's an average which we will break down more later.

Here are some things that determine how much a trucker makes...

Pay varies greatly but for North Carolina the average pay is $75,000 per year.

What type of equipment will be used.
What the trucking company hauls
What lane the company runs
Depends on how the company compensates the driver.
How much experience the driver has.

New drivers can make $45,000 - $55,000.

Experienced drivers (1 year plus) $67,000 & up

Hourly experienced drivers can make about $29 per hour

There aren't many jobs that you can get into with so little training and no experience that will pay as much as a professional truck driver.

However, please be advised...

The trucker salaries that you see listed in newspapers and other advertisements are usually averages of all drivers. This means many are making much more and many are making much lower than what you see advertised. (Which is often listed at around $60,000 - $90,000)

Pay for a new truck driver naturally their salary is what makes up the bottom of that pay scale. This is much lower than what most people expect when they are considering becoming a truck driver.

New Company Driver Pay Average

A new company driver in 2025 will make anywhere from $45,000 to $67,000 as a big truck driver. That makes the average newbie making about $55,000 per year.

A driver with over 1 year driving experience can expect to make between $67,000 and $90,000. (and possibly more) Why such a spread you might ask? See the bullet points.

Here is the thing....the top paying companies don't come looking for you. You have to find them. For more information about company truck driver including details about how much a company driver makes visit Company Drivers

Owner Operator Pay Potentials

An Owner Operator average earnings can range anywhere from $25,000 to $65,000 net after taxes.

That's while leasing a trucker from a trucking company. Which I don't advise for most people.

Owner operators who are not in a mega carrier lease program getting robbed but instead are getting load board freight can easily clear $75,000 and earn more than $100,000 per year.

This is in a good year when rates are decent. A year like 2024 was not a good year. Hopefully will be better but it's anyone's guess. So don't rush to buy a truck unless you are a mechanic and you have ten's of thousands set aside.

Specialized hauling niches get paid a lot more on average. For example...

Movers, heavy haulers, Oilfield drivers, livestock haulers can make as much as quarter of a million dollars before taxes which is well over $100,000 per year take home with a proper records and good accountant.

If you have your own authority and direct accounts, you make more money. You also handle a lot more of the business side (a.k.a. office work). But these are guys you see with fancy trucks and long sleepers. Often they were raised in a family of truckers. Sometimes it's an ambitious trucker who simply goes all out calling local shippers, warehouses, manufactures, etc to see what is required to haul direct.

And it's possible. Don't assume they won't let you. I asked Scotts Miracle Grow one time what was required, and there was an actual process to be considered. (It seemed actually possible)

But there is a lot you need to know about becoming an owner operator. to be successful to check out that page. Bottom line, it is a business.

For more information about owner operators including how much money an owner operator makes visit Owner Operators page

Extra Money For Truckers

Now when you do become a trucker, I want you to spend some of your free time learning how to make money online. I can help you with that. I've now retired and I help trucker get ready for retirement foy getting making money online off duty not driving. It's how I was able to retire early from trucking.