As you begin your journey into a transportation career, the first thing you’re probably wondering is: how much do truck drivers make in 2025? Truck driving can be rewarding in pay, consistent jobs, and the freedom of the road. How much you earn specifically will depend on many things – type of truck, type of industry, experience, and miles driven. Knowing the various roles and what they pay can assist you in making a judgment on whether truck driving is your calling.
Here in this comprehensive guide, we will be looking at pay scales for some of the truck driving jobs, influences on driver earnings, and solutions to frequently asked questions such as how much does a trash truck driver make and how much per mile a truck driver earns.
Types of Truck Driving Jobs and Pay Differences
Truck driving is not a one-size-fits-all profession. Different positions have varying tasks and salaries. The following are the usual types of truck driving employment and how their salaries vary
1. Long-Haul (OTR) Truck Drivers
Over-the-road (OTR) truckers drive nationwide and are usually gone for weeks at a time. They make more money because of long hours and the nature of the work.
Average Pay (2025): $60,000–$85,000 a year
2. Regional Truck Drivers
These drivers drive within a specific area and go home every few days. The pay is a little less than OTR drivers but offers better work-life balance.
Average Pay: $50,000–$70,000 annually
3. Local Delivery and Trash Truck Drivers
If you are curious about how much does a trash truck driver make, it will depend on the area of the country they are working in and whether it is for private or municipal service.
Average Pay: $42,000–$60,000
4. Tow Truck Drivers
Tow truck drivers recover broken-down vehicles and wrecks. You might ask how much does a tow truck driver make?
Average Pay: $35,000–$55,000 depending on city, experience, and shift type.
5. Specialty Drivers (e.g., Monster Truck)
If you ask how much does a monster truck driver make, then the answer will be quite different. These drivers do shows and events.
Pay Range: $30,000–$90,000 per year, but can exceed based on performance and branding.
Factors That Affect Truck Driver Income
Knowing how much does a truck driver make also relies on several factors. Here’s an overview of the major factors:
1. Type of Freight
Hauling hazardous materials or oversized loads typically pays more than regular freight. Experienced drivers with specialty certification earn higher payments for the increased risk and certification.
2. Miles Driven
You may have asked yourself how much a truck driver gets paid per mile. Well, the majority of truckers are paid by the mile. The more miles you drive, the more you earn.
Mileage rates in 2025: $0.50 to $0.75/mile
Some companies have even begun paying drivers hourly or providing a salary; however, most trucks and truck drivers are compensated per mile.
3. Experience Level
The longer you drive, the more you will make. A rookie may earn $45,000. An experienced driver can earn over $80,000.
4. Location
Drivers in highly trafficked areas, e.g., periphery of the busy ports, tend to earn more than drivers in remote or rural areas.
5. Type of Employment
Company drivers earn a set salary every week plus benefits; owner-operators are able to earn more, but need to cover all of the expenses (fuel, repairs, insurance, etc.).
How Much Does a Truck Driver Make in 2025?
The anticipated annual salary for a truck driver in the United States in 2025 will probably fall somewhere in the range of $55,000 to $75,000 a year, depending on: ability, type of route, and company. If you’re asking what a truck driver makes, this would be for the majority of drivers and the type of average salary.
- Qualified long-haul truck drivers, who work for a good reputable company, can earn upwards of $80,000 to $100,000. There are, however, factors to take into consideration. Experienced long-haul freight drivers can earn upwards depending on the amount of mileage and time spent on the road. This is a very important point to consider when discussing how much does a truck driver make a year.
- To answer the question of what a truck driver’s salary per mile is, as asked by many, for 2025, the industry average is $0.48 to $0.75 per mile for drivers. Top performers are likely to expect more depending on driving force, current load, and the situation the trucking company allows or promotes.
- For garbage truck drivers, typically working for a city or waste management company, an annual salary of $45,00 to $60,000 a year, depending on where they live in the country. If you are specifically after what a garbage truck driver makes, those numbers should give a good baseline.
- For those who enjoy motorsport or have dreams of becoming an entertainer, common questions include What does a monster truck driver make? Fewer drivers perform in monster trucks, but their income can vary from $30,000 to $65,000 a year. Experienced drivers and movers may earn more if they are already on television.
- Drivers employed as owner operators (who own and operate their truck) or who have an option to be advantageous may derive income of over $100,000 a year, but also have higher maintenance and expenses.
- Earnings also vary depending on the location. For example, in Texas, California, and New York, drivers receive higher pay due to the increased demand and cost of living.
- Furthermore, with the inclusion of performance-based bonuses and other forms of compensation, annual earnings can go up significantly. Companies also give various benefits for signing in, safety bonuses, rewards for fuel efficiency, or per diem allowances, which eventually make the total salary of a truck driver much higher.
Conclusion
So, how much does a truck driver make? The answer is that it varies. Job details, location, trucking experience, and number of miles driven are just a few of the factors that contribute to truck driver pay. So, whether you’re asking how much an over-the-road truck driver makes or how much does a tow truck driver make, the numbers tell us that trucking is still a viable and often profitable career path to consider in 2025.
Driving a garbage truck is not going to pay as much as OTR work, but it is stable and has regular hours. At the same time, people who are curious about how much does a monster truck driver make would look at it more as performance-driven. And finally, for people who are pushed by miles, how much per mile a truck driver makes remains a good barometer for income projection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do truck drivers get paid per week or month?
Most truck drivers are paid weekly or bi-weekly, depending on employer payroll procedures. Some companies can offer bonuses for performance in a monthly payout or quarterly deduction from name references.
2. How much does a local trucker make in a year?
Local truckers average around $45,000 – $60,000 in salary. They will be hauling shorter routes and may come home each day, along with the income they earn.
3. How much do truckers make a week?
Truck drivers typically earn between $900 – $1,400 a week, depending on miles. Also, it helps to have an experienced driver and an emergency load.
4. Do owner-operators make more money than company drivers?
Yes, owner-operators can make over $100,000 a year, but they also pay their own expenses. Owner-operators take home a certain amount of money based on fuel cost, maintenance, and where they choose to drive.
5. What does a team truck driver earn?
Team truck drivers—who alternate driving the same truck—can earn collectively more than $120,000 annually. Each driver typically makes $60,000 or more a year.
Thinking about a trucking career? Discover how much truck drivers really earn and whether it’s the right path for you. For any query, connect with AutoMagToday.
