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Truck driver pay explained: per mile, hourly, percentage and salary

How each pay type works and the questions that reveal the real weekly number.

"Up to 70 cents a mile" and "$1,600 a week average" can describe the same job, or two very different ones. Here is how each pay type works.

Cents per mile (CPM)

Most over-the-road and regional jobs pay per mile. Three questions matter: - Which miles? Practical miles follow the real route; household goods (HHG) miles are shorter, so the same rate pays less. See practical vs household miles. - How many miles per week? A higher rate with fewer miles can pay less. - Is the rate "up to"? Most carriers pay by experience, so the top rate is for experienced drivers. On our pages, mileage pay is always shown as "up to" because your rate depends on your verifiable experience.

Hourly

Common on local, yard and shuttle jobs. Ask when overtime starts (after 40 hours or after 8 hours a day) and whether waiting time is paid.

Activity and stop pay

Many dedicated jobs add pay per stop, per drop and hook, per unload, plus detention and layover pay. On store routes this can be a big part of the check.

Percentage of the load

Some carriers pay a percentage of the load's revenue, usually to owner-operators and sometimes to company drivers. It rewards good freight; ask how often the freight is good.

Salary or weekly minimum

Some accounts pay a weekly minimum or a flat weekly amount. Ask what happens in a slow week and if the minimum is in writing.

Averages vs your pay

When we show "average pay", it is the average the carrier reports for drivers on that account. Your own pay depends on miles, schedule and performance. That is why we confirm the current terms with you in writing before you apply. Use the pay calculator to turn any offer into weekly and yearly numbers.