For decades the deal was simple: the longer you stay out, the more you make. Look at today's openings and that deal looks shaky. In our database, the typical local CDL-A job advertises about $1,550 a week. The typical OTR job: about $1,200.
Why local caught up
- Hourly pay counts every hour. Most local jobs pay by the hour, so waiting at a dock, traffic and pre-trip all count. OTR drivers on cents per mile often lose those hours.
- Carriers struggle to fill local seats too. Local jobs need drivers who live in one specific area, so carriers pay more to get them.
- OTR miles dried up in the freight recession. A high cents-per-mile rate means little if the miles are not there.
When OTR still makes sense
- You are new. Many training programs start OTR, and the fastest way to build experience is miles.
- You want to save money fast and do not mind being out. With good miles, top OTR drivers still earn more than most local jobs.
- You live far from freight hubs. Local jobs cluster around big metros. If you live rural, OTR or regional may be your only option.
The real question
Do not ask "which pays more?" Ask "what will I take home per week, and what will it cost me?" Being home every night has a value: fewer truck-stop meals, no motel nights, more time with family. For many drivers, a local job at the same weekly pay is simply the better job.
Today, 202 of the 660 jobs in our database are home daily. If you have never driven local because you thought it paid less, it is worth a second look.
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