Long Distance Truck Driver Salaries: How Much Do They Make?

Long-haul or over-the-road (OTR) truck driving can be an excellent career. But long haul trucking can be challenging for truck drivers who have family at home, because the job requires being away for days or weeks at a time. However, the average salary for a long-haul truck driver is usually much higher than salaries for local and regional truck drivers.

Is the long-distance truck driver salary worth it, though? How much do long-distance truck drivers make? The answer to that question can vary greatly depending on several factors, which we’ll cover in this post.

How much do long-haul truck drivers make per year?

Long-haul trucker pay varies widely. It depends on the company you drive for, how much experience you have, what type of equipment you operate, and even your geographic location. 

Here are some average long-haul truck driver’s salaries based on a few different scenarios.

W-2 long-haul drivers

According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual base salary for a company long-haul driver is $71,196. Entry-level salaries for OTR drivers can be as low as $23,500, and experienced drivers can earn $100,000 or more.

1099 long-haul drivers

Owner-operators who contract with trucking companies are considered “1099s” or contract drivers. On paper, they make a lot more than company drivers, averaging about $144,000 per year. But owner-operators are responsible for their own expenses, from truck maintenance to insurance, and those costs can take a big chunk of driver’s salary.

Long-haul driver salaries vs. short-haul driver salaries: Which pays better?

Long-haul trucking is generally defined as routes that cover long distances (more than 250 miles), but many truckers drive much more than that. Short-haul trucking includes all routes of fewer than 250 miles. Short-haul drivers may drive regionally or locally.

Long-haul drivers usually earn more than short-haul drivers, although some short-haul drivers, especially those who drive locally, are great at stacking loads. While each load may pay significantly less, regional drivers and local drivers who have a steady line of loads could earn as much as a long-haul truck driver.

Load vs. mile pay for truck drivers

Some OTR truckers are salaried, meaning they make the same amount of money each week regardless of loads. But most of the time, long-haul truckers earn by the mile or get a percentage of the load.

• By the load. Depending on your contract, your revenue cut on a particular load could vary from 25% to 85%. This can be a great way to make money on high-value shipments, but you might not break even on a low-value load.
• By the mile. Mileage pay is more predictable. Regardless of what the load is worth, you’ll make a set amount of money per mile. Of course, you’ll need to know exactly how the carrier calculates mileage to make sure you’re earning more than you’re spending per mile.

How can long-haul trucker drivers increase their pay?

As you can see, “How much do long haul truckers make?” is a complex question that depends on many factors. But that also means that you have some control over how much you make. Here are a few ways to increase your pay.

Find and book more loads.

If you’re a company driver, someone in the office usually books loads for you. But for owner-operators, the fastest way to make more money is to keep your truck rolling with high-paying loads.

The Truckstop Load Board lets you find good loads from trusted brokers and shippers. We also give you all the tools you need to help negotiate rates, plan your route, and more. That means you spend less time finding work and making arrangements — and more time driving!

Move specialized freight.

In general, the more complicated a load is, the more you will get paid. Consider getting additional endorsements, like a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) endorsement. Tanker drivers can also make good money hauling liquids — if you have your CDL, you just have to pay a small fee and pass a tanker endorsement test through your state’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Obtain your own operating authority.

Operating under your own authority basically turns you into a carrier with all the responsibilities and money-making opportunities of any other carrier.

Purchase cargo insurance.

Insurance doesn’t increase your driver pay, but it does protect you financially in the event of a loss.

If something happens to a load while it’s on your truck, you might be on the hook for paying for it. If it happens to be a high-value load, you could lose a lot of money quickly. Cargo insurance is an inexpensive way to make sure you’re protected.

When do you get paid as a long-haul truck driver?

If you work for a trucking business, you’ll likely have a regular pay schedule. Owner-operators, however, might have to wait weeks or longer for customers to pay them. A solution to that problem is invoice factoring.

With Factoring from Truckstop, you get paid right away in exchange for a small flat fee. You don’t have to follow up on overdue invoices or keep track of who’s paid you and who hasn’t. When you own your own business, having positive cash flow is important, and that’s why freight factoring is important for any independent truck driver.

What is the job outlook for long-haul truck drivers?

While nothing is certain but change, the outlook for long-haul drivers is strong. Over-the-road trucking is an essential part of the supply chain, and whether you work for a trucking company or you’re a solo driver, you should have no trouble finding consistent work year-round.

Book higher-paying long-haul loads.

Long-haul trucking can be a great career, and not just because of the potential income. You’ll have a lot of independence, you’ll get to see the country, and you’ll have the freedom to work as much or as little as you like. But the job can also be demanding, so you’ll want a long-haul driver salary that makes day-to-day inconveniences worth it.

When you’re a truck driver, the saying “Time is money” is especially true. You don’t want to lose valuable drive time searching for loads and calling freight brokers. With the Truckstop Load Board, you can quickly find and book high-paying loads with trusted and vetted brokers and shippers, without having to pick up the phone. Get started today!