Is this the reality for you all ?
Posted by Successful-Desk9588@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 83 comments
I thought heavy haulers made serious bank , I made 3k last week with 55 hours as s sysco order selector and I think thats dog shit against what some of you all make specifically as a o/p and specifically in something like heavy hauling with 10 bucks a mile loads . I would appreciate some insight from someone doing this because this can’t be reality, I need something to look forward too
Sea_Butterscotch8896@reddit
No it’s not but they want you to believe it is. My dad’s an owner op and is doing extremely well.
Old-Wolf-1024@reddit
Well,those numbers might not be telling everything…….$236k gross on a full time heavy haul rig is LOW…..most of the guys/gals I know running 100% OS/OD are grossing $4-500k/year…….those total expenses should include what the driver of the truck made. Depending on how they have structured their business,that could be a high number or it could be a low number……The $60833.00 is or should be the profit the entire operation made.
timbocf@reddit
3k a week is almost twice what I make as a non-hazmat tanker tanker. I average around $1800
IllustriousLeek39@reddit
As a company heavy haul driver on salary I make $193,000 before taxes. That doesn’t include bonus. I’m w4.
Trappin4DaSport@reddit
the pocket watching in this sub is out of control 😂
Nakotadinzeo@reddit
No, I use CachyOS with KDE. I don't have all that shit on my screen.
TouchMyBoomstick@reddit
I don’t know about heavy haulers but I went from oilfield work to hauling cattle and I made roughly 380k but not nearly that in profit. If you’re in it for money I’d just go be a company driver at a small company who treated you well.
If I broke down my profit compared to the hours I worked I’d be just above a McDonalds worker in wage.
Spitfire954@reddit
I do heavy haul for a small, not great company. $40hr. Overtime after 40. Not great money but okay for now with flexibility.
It’s all about what company, union, or terminal. Guys are getting screwed and guys making bank in the same field everywhere.
OneMulatto@reddit
Yup. Big time. Irks me. Seems like nothing can be done about it. Between some people not even entertaining the idea of discussing pay. How can I know if I'm not being screwed myself if I don't know what you're being paid?
Literally the same business down the road pays $5-$8 more an hour. More business? Can't be. This place is a fortune 100 company. That place is a mom and pop place. I see it all the time. How?
threeglude@reddit
Bigger is almost never better unless theres a union involved. Bigger wo union just means more money is funneled up to pay higher ups
12darrenk@reddit
And sometimes it's the union drivers getting shafted compared to non union drivers. That even changes from place to place. The company I work for has some union (Teamsters) drivers from acquisitions, and the union actively works against their own people, especially during contract negotiations. The union drivers get paid less than the non union drivers doing the exact same job. And the benefits might be a tiny bit better, but not by much. It's sad with what you hear from the union drivers about how the higher up union guys treat the regular union workers. Maybe that's really uncommon, but it shouldn't be that way anywhere.
icy_penguins@reddit
How dare you tell them truth about the "beloved union", lmao! Im always amazed at all the "union jobs are so much better" BS. Sure, maybe some union jobs are better, but in my experience, its exactly how you describe it. Union bosses only care about their 6 figure salaries while they "fight" to get the workers pennies.
Admirable-Cookie2888@reddit
You're right they fight for pennies but the company won't pay a dime for your effort if they didn't.
Ok-Combination7287@reddit
My old union made it literally impossible to get a raise. Just saying
Spitfire954@reddit
Yeah, the “don’t discuss pay” thing is just company propaganda to keep you from knowing how bad you’re getting screwed.
Pakman____@reddit
I just started with a new company a couple of months ago. I was shocked when the guy training me told me he makes $30 per hour. Company started me at $41. Our base pay is calculated on where our home is. Because I live in The North East and he's in the South East there's a significant difference. I didn't have the heart to tell him what I was making. He was pretty cocky about how much he made too which made me laugh a little. But I will say. He makes enough to own 2 acres of land while I make enough to buy a small plot with a house so close to my neighbors that I can probably piss on it with my back against my house. Cost of living is definitely a thing.
Stanf_63@reddit
I always think that when I see these threads.
I make this, I make that , your a sucker if you ain’t making this much , and mention of where you life and what the cost of living is.
sintactacle@reddit
It is your right to discuss pay with your co-workers: https://www.nlrb.gov/about-nlrb/rights-we-protect/your-rights/your-rights-to-discuss-wages
forkystabbyveggie@reddit
Absolutely, but unfortunately coworkers can be fuckin idiots.
I got a pay raise and am making about 30% more than a few guys that have been working here much longer than I have. I told a few of them this information hoping they would have the finesse to go ask for a raise in an intelligent way.
One of the idiots went straight to the boss "Veggie said he is getting paid more than me, bitch bitch bitch cry cry cry.
All that did was get the boss pissed at me for letting them know 🤷🏼♂️
Different_Mousse_564@reddit
Man these companies are greedy and they will make every excuse to steal your dam money. I’m dealing with it now actually. Hoping to leave around the summer
No_Lake_7445@reddit
I’m local and make 1k a week. It’s not a lot but way easier than being an order selector
bryant_myers@reddit
I just wanna know which Sysco is paying 3k a week lol I’ll quit trucking right now and apply
ronda200@reddit
My question is what’s so hard about it ? I just worked 70 hours to hopefully make 2k after tax for Amazon. Home every 2 days so it isn’t hell but it’s still close
Chemical-Character79@reddit
You're making more at Sysco then most people make driving a truck.
Successful-Desk9588@reddit (OP)
Brother that’s because Im young , thats why I can run 150%-160% and boost my hourly rate so high. But I know for sure my body eventually is not gonna be able to handle it and trucking was my exit plan but apparently it doesn’t pay as much as I thought
DanimalPlanet42@reddit
Trucking pay just keeps getting worse and treatment of truckers also getting worse. Go watch that Jon Oliver episode about truckers from a few years ago. They need a general trucker strike or something.
Usual-Guarantee6346@reddit
Look into a lineman apprenticeship or heavy equipment operator if you don’t mind your body possibly giving out on you maybe go for a diesel tech when I was one I made more money fixing trucks than I ever did driving
TrustBitter4195@reddit
Same I’m 25 and got into trucking 3 years ago to eventually become an owner op and be my own boss then eventually have a couple trucks and drivers. That plan looks less and less realistic as the years go on. I make decent money but it’s not what i feel like i deserve for the job i do. Atp my focus rn is getting the experience to go local making at least $1500 a week. This inconsistent schedule and physical labor is killing be and i can already feel it.
ArandomUser121@reddit
Yep, there's money to be made in trucking but plenty of people struggle to find it.
Chemical-Character79@reddit
Nice, keep up the good work.
truckeredditor@reddit
The reality is that they're not making the money for driving. It's the physical labor of unloading the trailer where the difference is.
RTFops@reddit
Bro in the video can’t book freight :( I grossed 400 stacks each dry van 2025
ChemicalWriting6225@reddit
Look idk what ppl think, as a company driver to the ports of Washington, 1500 week before taxes. That’s the average, I’ve personally talked to 20 companies and that’s the rate in this state. Now that America is so fucked it’s going to get worse
Prior-Ad-7329@reddit
$3k a week is pretty good money lol.
Zzd12@reddit
What’s your take home at Sysco weekly?
Successful-Desk9588@reddit (OP)
Between 21 to 23
Soggy-Effort365@reddit
Stay as Sysco my brother 😂 that’s great money. Especially being local
Ill-Year-3141@reddit
Not sure on the math there. I make .65 cpm and my net is bigger than that
bobsanidiot@reddit
um idk for sure but the title of that YT vid says 3rd quarter financials. which i take to mean that this is a quarterly statement covering the 3rd quarter of the year... it could be across the 3 quarters to that point in the year meaning hes still got another quarter of the year to go...
J0nn_D03@reddit
Someone in the thread watched the vid, that's year to date. Wasn't explained very well lol
bobsanidiot@reddit
yeah, coulda been explained better and i dont care enough to look up this dudes vid lol
NWdabest@reddit
It says that’s 3rd quarter finances. I don’t know if they have a slower season but at that pace it’s about $240,000 a year. Sounds pretty good to me.
Successful-Desk9588@reddit (OP)
But he said he was only making like 3bucks a mile. I thought those guys made like 10 a mile
threeglude@reddit
If that's after ALL expenses and taxes are part of the "expenses", it works out to be closer to 1.25/mi (1.25-30% = .88) which is good money these days.
polarjunkie@reddit
Taxes are not part of the expenses, you pay taxes on your net. I went to watch the video, He made 20K in 3 months it still has to pay taxes on that.
threeglude@reddit
Hence why I said "if", key word there... You do realize there are some business owners out there who consider taxes as a cost of doing business and include that as part of their expenses, right? I'm not saying that's the correct way to work the math, just saying that's how some businesses work out the math.
The other key word, is "net" and normally net means after everything, including taxes.
polarjunkie@reddit
But, all I was doing was clarifying your "if" after going and watching the video.
New_Rough6200@reddit
I believe $10/mile is doable but not the norm also semis average 6mpg fuel is about 6$ per gallon on average now
polarjunkie@reddit
These guys aren't getting 6 mpg. When I did heavy haul I was lucky to get 4 here and there on some loads.
King0Horse@reddit
I'm not even heavy haul, my loads are restricted to the federal 80K limit (which I'm usually very close to) and I get about 4.6 MPG.
Car haulers are surprisingly bad aerodynamically. Going up through Illinois where all the wind farms are I'm lucky to maintain 60 MPH in a truck governed at 75 MPH. Wind just eats that thing alive.
J0nn_D03@reddit
Not so surprising, all those corners and surfaces for wind to grab. Makes sense to me
polarjunkie@reddit
No the numbers op posted is year to date, he only netted 20K in the third quarter and still has to pay taxes on that.
10xbek@reddit
Depends, if all stars line up, you can usually make 150k plus net by being O/O. But you must know your numbers well
J0nn_D03@reddit
Also you never go home
10xbek@reddit
Not really 2 weeks out or 3 max
ChampionshipThin8916@reddit
For most with at least a couple years experience with a good record, trucking pays “ok”, because the hours working/spent stuck away from home.
You have to realize we’re “working” the hours of 2-3 jobs.
Average not breaking down any divisions or company vs O/O…
Regional and Day cab are $50-$65K
OTR $65-$80K
Never come home all year, $85K - $120K
Yes there are many making more or less, a few working 40 hours or less, but We’re talking USA average regardless or region or type of trucking.
J0nn_D03@reddit
You're so right.
I work 40 a week, home daily, but there's a sacrifice for that: i don't make as much. Only grossed 57k last year. I have the licensing to make 120k gross, but the home time is worth the lower pay to me.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
PuffsBulk@reddit
Not to mention I essentially make $38.35 an hour as it is and I tend to run my 70 out every week most of the time
John9250@reddit
If you think 3k a week is shit, then idk what you’re expecting. The running joke is, “if you wanna have a million dollars in trucking, you better start with 2 million”
CosbysLongCon24@reddit
You can make way more money just working for a good company without all of the headaches
Negative_Test_7712@reddit
Right now there is no money in trucking
Hot_Brief_330@reddit
There’s money in trucking you just have to find it. I’m parking my truck I owe and going to drive for a company my buddy is at. They’re doing a split where drivers are taking home 3600-5k after deductions.
Negative_Test_7712@reddit
Listen to what you just said, parking your truck to become an employee, money in trucking is like finding a needle in a haystack
Th3_Gh0st_0f_Y0u@reddit
There is, but those jobs are few and far between, and usually require an inside connection to get.
firstblush73@reddit
Averages to $16.71 an hour. 🤮
ComeTrumpster@reddit
Is that the total for the first three quarters or just the third quarter? I would guess thats the first three quarters and he just had to drop 50 grand on repairs and wanted to complain, i would.
polarjunkie@reddit
I watch the video, that's the total year to date through the third quarter. He only made 20K net in the third quarter
Dmurphy2016@reddit
50 grand for repairs on what?
Apmaddock@reddit
I don’t know. Maybe his truck?
Dmurphy2016@reddit
Where do you see 50k for repairs?
LuisChoriz@reddit
If my maths right…$235697/$3pm = 78565 miles per year/52 weeks (if they're working weekly) =1510 miles per week. Seems like a chill gig at 1500 miles per week. Although some math ain't mathing $60833.46/.88 = 69128 miles per year. As for heavy hauling, you can make bank, but you’ll need a good contract, healthy networks, consistent lanes/routes, and (most importantly) master operational efficiency. Keep in mind heavy hauling makes a lot of money but also comes with more expenses like insurance, fuel, and more wear and tear on the vehicle. Keep in mind heavy hauling isn't the only money maker in the industry. Good luck!
polarjunkie@reddit
This is for 3 months, not a year so there's some other discrepancies
Dmurphy2016@reddit
He only has one truck
polarjunkie@reddit
If that's the case, those might be year-to-date numbers
Opposite_Sell_9857@reddit
That's what a typical year for me running refer looked like 10-15 years ago. I also took about 75-100 days of per year and a had a lot of "deductable expenses".
WestCoastRadiation@reddit
Your expenses would probably be even lower if you were stuck with that t880, the do nothing but glitch out
Exciting-Car-3516@reddit
No do dry van 3200 miles a week you’ll make more
possibly_lost45@reddit
After taxes that's like 45k. That's horrible. Hell it's horrible before taxes. I make more running local home daily
dzyxl1a0nr@reddit
That’s for 3 months not the year.
Scurvy_Pete@reddit
In three months? I doubt it
yycTechGuy@reddit
Here is a better video on the topic. Same O/P. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmXW7gDEQ5s
Jmglasell@reddit
Some heavy haulers make bank, most people don't.