If you’re a Texas truck driver looking to understand the industry’s different types of pay structures, this blog is for you. Compensation is a critical issue for truck drivers, both entry-level and professional. After all, truck drivers are the backbone of the American economy, and it can be a demanding job, so it’s important to be compensated fairly for your time and effort.   

In this post, we’ll examine the two most common pay structures in trucking: hourly pay vs per mile pay. This way, you can better understand what to expect when choosing the logistics company to drive for and make an informed decision about which compensation method works best for you. Let’s get started!  

How Much Do Truck Drivers Get Paid in Texas?  

According to Truckers Report, CDL truck drivers in Texas can make anywhere from $62,530 to $104,000 depending on where they’re driving and how much time they spend on the road. While the national median for commercial truck driving averages $81,626, it doesn’t mean all trucking jobs are compensated equally. It’s important to look for a trucking company that offers competitive pay, bonuses, and opportunities that allow you to grow your career and your bank account.  

What Are the Different Types of Truck Driver Pay?  

Here are the two most common ways truck drivers get paid when working for a commercial trucking company.   

Per Hour Pay   

Hourly pay is a pay structure where truck drivers are compensated for the hours they spend on the road each week. This pay is typically calculated based on a dollar amount per hour worked. Hourly pay is common for intrastate logistics companies that operate within smaller ranges.   

As an hourly driver, you can expect to make frequent stops, load and unload cargo, and interact with customers regularly. One of the benefits of hourly pay is the ability to work overtime if the company allows it.  

Per Mile Pay 

Per mile pay is the trucking industry’s most common type of compensation. In this pay structure, truck drivers are paid a certain amount for each mile they drive. So, if you’re a truck driver who’s paid per mile, you can expect to drive a certain number of miles per week.   

Typically, you’ll be paid a cent per mile (CPM) and have an average number of miles you’ll be expected to drive per week. You can calculate your paycheck by multiplying the CPM by the miles you’ve racked up. For example, if your CPM is $0.50, with an average of 3,000 miles per week, you can expect $1,500 that week.  

It’s important to remember that while a higher pay rate per mile may seem like it would result in a bigger paycheck, the number of miles you drive ultimately determines how much you’ll earn. Therefore, it’s important to consider factors such as the amount of driving required and any potential bonuses or incentives when evaluating the overall compensation package offered by a trucking company.  

Pay Per Mile vs Pay Per Hour: Which Is Better?  

Truck drivers who get paid by the hour are usually restricted to regional or local routes. Since you spend less time on the road as a local truck driver, you typically earn less than those paid per mile unless you’re putting in overtime.   

Truckers who get paid per mile are usually OTR drivers that drive across the country, either solo or with a team. OTR or long-haul truck drivers spend more time on the road, but the ability to rack up thousands of miles offers the chance to earn more and qualify for mileage bonuses and rewards.  

In general, Texas truck drivers who get paid per mile tend to earn more than hourly drivers. The ability to make more money per year as a mile driver allows them to gain the experience and skills needed to grow their professional truck driving careers.  

How to Make More Money as a Professional Trucker in Texas  

While these two types of pay structures can help you better understand the differences in truck driver base pay, there are other factors to consider when it comes to how much you can earn as a professional truck driver like  

• The logistics company you work for  
• How much experience you have  
• Where you’re located and where you’ll be driving  
• Certifications, skills, and endorsements  

Drive with Warrior Logistics 

Warrior Logistics is a rapidly growing, veteran-owned, independent contractor providing linehaul freight services for FedEx Ground. Our Truck Warrior enjoy pay-per-mile compensation, comprehensive benefits, flexible work schedules, and more. On top of our pay structure, we offer cumulative cash rewards for safe driving miles, our Warrior fuel program, and 24/7 support to maximize your miles.   

We believe people are our greatest assets and we provide a superior environment for them to thrive. If you’re looking to grow your professional truck driving career with one of the nation’s largest logistics companies, apply today! 

Truck drivers play a pivotal role in enabling economic growth, and the need for more professional truckers is set to increase along with the economy. Apart from providing a reliable income and job security, a truck driving career offers diverse opportunities in terms of truck driving job type, pay, and position.   

From entry-level truck driving jobs that allow drivers to get their foot in the door and develop on-the-job experience to roles that require niche skills, the trucking industry has something for anyone looking to hone their skillset and embrace a life out on the open road. This blog post will delve into the most common types of truck driving jobs, which trucking jobs pay the most, and how to land these positions.   

Types of Logistics Driver Jobs  

Dry Van Haulers: operate semi-trucks with easy-to-transport goods packed in boxes or pallets. Dry van haulers don’t typically have to load or unload cargo, allowing drivers time to relax between shifts.   

Freight Haulers: transport cargo not covered by dry van trucking, like hazardous goods, liquids, or oversized loads.    

Flatbed Trucking: operate an open-air trailer to transport oversized goods too large or awkward to fit into semi-trucks or tractor-trailers, like machinery or other vehicles. These routes are typically longer and require specialized skills to operate safely.   

Tanker Haulers: transport hazardous and nonhazardous liquids depending on the logistics company and client.   

Types of Truck Driving Positions  

Local, regional, and OTR truck driving positions refer to the time spent on the road as part of the job.   

Local: spends the least time on the road, and most local truck drivers return home daily. They usually operate alone and can run dedicated lanes or LTL (less than truckload).  

Regional: drivers transport cargo within specific regions in the US, spending an average of 1 to 2 weeks on the road at a time.  

Dedicated Lane: drivers use a specific route dedicated to a single customer to guarantee ongoing supplies and services at regular intervals. Dedicated lanes can cover short or long distances but are typically local routes.  

Over the Road (OTR): also called long-haul trucking, OTR truckers drive across the country and have likely visited all lower 48 states. OTR truck driving covers the longest distances and can take weeks or even months on the road, but the pay is significantly more than local and regional carriers.  

Which Truck Driving Jobs Make the Most Money?  

If you’re wondering which truck driving jobs pay the most, the answer lies in jobs that require specialized skills or have higher risks. In general, owner-operators, ice road truckers, tanker truckers, and team drivers are among the highest-paying ones in the industry. This is because these drivers spend the most time on the road, have the most experience and specialized training, and take on greater risks.  

How Do I Get These Jobs?

To earn more money as a professional truck driver, you’ll need to go above and beyond the standard and gain the skills, experience, and endorsements to open new doors for your career. Here are a few of the requirements involved in securing one of these highly sought-after trucking jobs: 

Risks & Liability: high-risk jobs like ice road trucking, tanker haulers, and more increase the level of danger associated with the job. Higher risk means more liability for you and your logistics company.   

Skills: complex skills required to navigate potentially dangerous situations  

Experience: the more experience you have on the road, the more you’ll typically make. Truck drivers with over five years of CDL experience are more likely to earn more and secure higher-paying jobs.  

Driving record: spotless record with no accidents or reckless driving citations  

Demand for Work: certain regions with a higher demand for truck drivers will pay more, specifically in more remote areas or areas needing truck drivers.  

What Are the Best Truck Driving Jobs?   

When it comes to truck driving jobs, there’s no one-size-fits-all option. Depending on your priorities, certain jobs might be a better fit for you. For instance, if you prioritize home time, a regional dedicated lane job might be ideal, while if you’re looking for top pay, OTR tanker trucking might be the way to go. It’s important to remember that the best job and salary will vary based on the logistics company you work for.  

Be a Truck Warrior 

Drive with Warrior Logistics for a reliable, rewarding, well-paying truck driving job and advance your professional career. Whether you’re interested in expanding your skills and income opportunities or seeking a stable living with flexible terms, we’ve got you covered.   

As FedEx Ground’s leading linehaul contractor, you’ll be welcomed into our Warrior family with competitive pay, benefits, a modern fleet, and ample growth opportunities. Apply today to join our Dallas, Houston, Denver, or Kansas City team, whether you’re an entry-level or experienced driver!