Question:
Ok its been about 5 years since I last drove tractor trailer. And pay has probably changed a little. I have pins in my ankle and all my old broken bones and injuries of my past are started to cause pain on a daily bases so I considering a change into something a little less physicall. Either way its a paycut. But what I want to know is the average annual income for truckers. If you all would be so kind so I know what kind of a paycut or maybe an increase I might be getting into, please list your annual income(gross), how long you have been in trucking and if its not to much what company you drive for. And please be honest so I can get an accurate average. I thank you in advance for the info you send.
Answer:
Most companies want 3 years recent experience. Unfortunately you may have to start all over. Ill tell you one thing though.Pay has changed,and it hasn't been in an upward direction. First year drivers are only making about 32k a year.
gross.Disclaimer:Pick too ugly to post at this time,LOL.

Answer:
I only worked 8 months for a small company out of Lakeland Florida last year. had to go back to work out of my union so that i dont screw up my pension. In 8 months my gross was $36.580, i took some short trips during the summer so i could spend time with my daughter. i also had 2 weeks off in march. Im sure i could have made over $50k if i would have stayed the full year there.

Answer:
I have to also dispute the 32k figure. You'll make closer to 40k your first year with one of the newbie training mills IF you work yourself to death, rarely go home and live like a dog.
Experienced OTR drivers with good safety and employment records now command 55k to 70k -- but once again, only if they dedicate their whole existence to running every possible mile.http://www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sect...onusWeek.php#tabs

Answer:
The average OTR driver makes 40K per year. That is in all experience levels from newbie to Owner Operator. From school to solo most newbies will do under 30K their first year with expectations of 30-40K their second year. If they are lucky they can hit 40K. Most will not. Actually most won't last two years once they find out what it is really like. But that's a different conversation.
As far as experience goes they do not require 3 years recent experience. Most want you to have some tractor trailer experience in the last 3 years which is what Silent Runner, I mean Detroit60 is probably trying to say. Although from past post by people who had not driven in the last couple of years and only had minimal experience most companies will require some form of training. Often it is going back out with a trainer and in terms of less experience in longer periods of absence schooling is required as well. Not having driven a truck in the last 5 years will definitely mean starting over again.
Have you given thought to going back to school and taking a trade that will both increase your income and your home time with your family. Something such as CAD drawing can provide the above as well as keep you off your feet.

Answer:
I pull tanker for Quality Carriers . Quality has terminals all over the country so work load and annual pay varies . I normally work 50 hours a week and make more than most freight haulers running their 70+ . The key is I have dedicated runs . Most trailers are preloaded , deliveries are by appointment with an average of 2 hours at the consignee unloading . Most of the time I just go back to the terminal and drop the empty . Believe me I've had my share off grocery warehouses and ran hopper bottom for a while . I really appreciate this job . I always gross under 78,000 lbs. with no worries about scales , sliding tandems or any of that . At many stops the customer handles the unloading .

Answer:
Have you given thought to going back to school and taking a trade that will both increase your income and your home time with your family. Something such as CAD drawing can provide the above as well as keep you off your feet.
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Yes I have thought about going to school but can't really afford it and I hate the office atmosphere I did it for a couple of months. The only thing I would do on a computer would be game tester or programmer but then programming would take a couple years of collage. At the moment I'm looking for all possible options I know what the job takes and trust me unless you have thrown trash before OTR is 10 time easier. Home time not so good even as a trash man especially in the heavy season I'm hardly ever home and when I am I'm to tired to do anything. I'm hoping that I can get into roll-off through the company I'm with now. I don't nessecarily want to quit but if I can't get out of residential then I'm going to have to. So I want leave an out if need be. Also if I have to go back to school since I screwed last time with school and ended up having then garnish $200 a week for 2 years(do the math) I think I will go to a company that has their own school. I am a lot more confident in driving then I used to be right out of school so I don't think I'll have much trouble getting back to OTR. Map skills have greatly improved, shifting ability, and menuevrability is a lot better. It sounds like if you do it right you can make 50k within a couple of years or even more.
Answer:
With over 600,000 carriers out there, a driver with a good driving record and experience can make good money in trucking if they want to.
You can drive OTR, regional, local, there are all types of trucking jobs out there.
If you "NEED" to make money, it's out there for you.
If do not "NEED" to make money, that's out there too.
Everyone has their own set of "NEEDS" and expectations.
With the diversity of trucking, there is something for you.