How much do owner-operators make? It’s a question many truck drivers ask when they start thinking about working for themselves.
The answer depends on a few key things: how you’re paid, the kind of hauling you do, and how much it costs to keep your truck running day after day. Some operators bring in six figures. Others find out the hard way that high revenue doesn’t always mean high profit. What you take home comes down to the details – your rates, your expenses, and how efficiently you run.
In this article, we’ll break down owner-operator trucking pay across different job types, including OTR, regional, and local work like hauling materials or equipment. We’ll also take a close look at common owner-operator expenses, how much different setups tend to earn, and what to know when comparing local vs regional truck driver pay.
Owner-operators are truck drivers who run their own business by owning or leasing the truck they work with. Instead of driving for a company, they operate independently, taking on their own clients, managing their own schedule, and handling the day-to-day costs that come with keeping a truck on the road.
Some owner-operators lease on to an established carrier, which helps provide consistent work and support. Others choose to run under their own authority, which offers full control but also comes with more responsibility, from finding loads to dealing with compliance and paperwork.
You’ll find owner-operators in all areas of the industry, from cross-country runs to local hauling jobs that involve transporting materials, equipment, or aggregate. While the freedom and income potential can be higher, so is the pressure to make smart business decisions.
How you get paid depends on the type of work you do, who you’re working with, and how your contract is structured. Pay can be calculated in a few different ways, and each method comes with its pros and cons.
Many owner-operators get paid based on load revenue, often taking home 65% to 85% of what the job pays. This type of pay is more common in long-haul or specialized work, where load values can swing quite a bit.
The upside? When rates are high or you’re hauling high-value loads, this method can bring in strong earnings. But during slow seasons or with cheaper loads, pay can take a hit.
Getting paid by the mile, known as CPM (cents per mile), is especially common for OTR owner-operators and regional drivers. You’re paid a flat rate for every mile you drive, which makes income more predictable if you’re logging steady miles each week. While it may offer consistency, it doesn’t always reflect the time spent waiting, loading, or stuck in traffic, which can impact your effective hourly rate.
For many in local hauling, especially those working with dump trucks or aggregate delivery, pay is often calculated per load. That means a flat rate for each completed job, no matter how long it takes or how far you drive. This method is simple and straightforward, and it’s widely used in short-haul work, construction support, and bulk material transport. However, pay can vary depending on the contractor, job volume, and location.
Some local or construction-based owner-operators are paid by the hour or by the day. This method helps cover time spent waiting at job sites, loading, or navigating city traffic. While hourly pay can limit the upside compared to per-load or percentage-based models, it brings more stability, especially if you’re working consistent shifts with the same contractors.
This map shows the highest paying cities for owner-operators in the U.S. Placement is approximate to avoid overlap in dense regions.
On average, general owner-operators in the U.S. earn about $228,575 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. This estimate comes from millions of job listings nationwide, giving a reliable snapshot of current owner-operator trucking pay across different driving types.
Just keep in mind that this figure reflects gross earnings. Before anything lands in your bank account, you’ll need to deduct key owner-operator expenses like fuel, insurance, truck payments, maintenance, and taxes.
So, how much can you really expect to earn based on the type of driving you do? Let’s take a closer look at what OTR, regional, and local owner-operators are making in today’s market.
| Earning Tier | Annual Pay | Monthly | Weekly | Hourly (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $400,000 | $33,333 | $7,692 | $192 |
| 75th Percentile | $350,000 | $29,166 | $6,730 | $168 |
| Average | $329,853 | $27,487 | $6,343 | $159 |
| 25th Percentile | $350,000 | $29,166 | $6,730 | $168 |
OTR owner-operators spend most of their time on the highway, covering long-distance routes across state lines. Because of the time and mileage involved, this segment tends to offer the highest owner-operator trucking pay. As of mid-2025, weekly earnings average around $6,343, with top earners making over $7,600 a week.
Annual gross income can reach up to $400,000, depending on workload and contract rates. However, there’s not a lot of variation in pay, which means your earnings will likely stay steady no matter your experience level or region.
| Earning Tier | Annual Pay | Monthly | Weekly | Hourly (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $375,500 | $31,291 | $7,221 | $180 |
| 75th Percentile | $337,500 | $28,125 | $6,490 | $162 |
| Average | $264,811 | $22,067 | $5,092 | $127 |
| 25th Percentile | $200,000 | $16,666 | $3,846 | $96 |
Regional owner-operators typically run within a set multi-state area, allowing for more predictable routes and more home time compared to OTR drivers. Most are paid by the mile or a percentage of the load, and the work often strikes a balance between longer hauls and stable scheduling.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average gross salary for a regional owner-operator is around $264,811 per year. Top earners can bring in over $375,000 annually, while drivers on the lower end average closer to $200,000. It’s a solid middle ground in terms of both income and workload, especially for those not looking to be gone for weeks at a time. As always, actual take-home pay depends on fuel prices, truck maintenance, and other owner-operator expenses.
| Earning Tier | Annual Pay | Monthly | Weekly | Hourly (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Earners | $250,000 | $20,833 | $4,807 | $120 |
| 75th Percentile | $222,000 | $18,500 | $4,269 | $107 |
| Average | $121,175 | $10,097 | $2,330 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $1,153 | $29 |
Local owner-operators usually work close to home, hauling materials like gravel, sand, or equipment to construction sites and job locations. This type of work is often paid per load or hourly, depending on the contractor and job type. While the average gross salary is lower than OTR or regional driving, around $121,175 per year. Drivers also avoid many of the larger expenses tied to long-haul routes.
Top earners in this category can still reach over $250,000 annually, especially with steady contracts and efficient route planning. The pay range is wider, meaning earnings can vary based on location, workload, and how often the truck is running. For many, it’s a more stable setup with a better work-life balance.
When you’re trying to figure out how much owner-operators make, it’s easy to get caught up in the high gross numbers. But gross income isn’t the same as profit.
Once you subtract owner-operator expenses, your actual take-home pay can look very different. In fact, some drivers end up keeping just 25% to 35% of what they earn after covering their costs. Before you hit the road, there are also start-up costs to consider, especially if you’re purchasing or leasing your first truck, setting up a business entity, and getting proper licensing.
Getting started means securing a truck, and that’s no small investment. You’ll need to decide between buying new or used, or going with a lease-to-own option. Keep in mind that dump trucks and vocational trucks used for local work often cost differently than highway tractors built for OTR runs.
Newer trucks mean fewer immediate repairs, but higher monthly payments. Used trucks are cheaper upfront but can rack up maintenance and repair costs fast. If you’re considering a used dump truck, make sure to review our guide on what to check before buying a used dump truck, so you don’t end up with surprise repairs that eat into your profit.
No matter what kind of driving you do, fuel remains one of the largest ongoing costs. While OTR drivers might rack up diesel bills over long distances, local haulers still feel the pinch, especially with stop-and-go traffic and daily idling at job sites. Your owner-operator trucking pay can drop quickly if fuel prices spike and you’re not tracking usage closely. Learn how to manage your fuel costs here.
Trucks break. It’s part of the job. Routine maintenance like oil changes, tire replacements, brake service, and hydraulic work add up fast. The older the truck, the more often you’ll deal with issues. Sticking to a solid preventive maintenance routine is one of the smartest ways to reduce breakdowns and keep your earnings consistent.
You’ll need coverage for liability, cargo, and physical damage, at a minimum. Insurance premiums vary depending on your driving record, the type of truck you operate, and where you haul. Local work may carry different risks and coverage requirements than long-haul jobs, but either way, it’s a significant monthly cost that chips away at your net income.
As an independent contractor, you’re responsible for self-employment taxes, quarterly IRS filings, and keeping up with both state and federal reporting. You may also need to register an LLC, renew your DOT number, and stay compliant with IFTA regulations if you cross state lines. Missing a deadline or misunderstanding a rule can get expensive fast.
Running your business means more than just driving. There are plenty of behind-the-scenes costs that quietly pile up each month. These aren’t always top of mind when calculating how much do owner-operators make, but they’ll impact your bottom line:
Keeping track of them monthly helps you stay profitable and avoid end-of-year surprises.
Even with high-paying loads out there, how much owner-operators make can vary widely depending on several outside factors. From the type of work you take on to where you operate, these details can make or break your profitability, especially when you’re running as your own business.
Pay can vary a lot depending on the type of hauling work you’re doing.
Even in the construction or materials sector, rates can change with seasons, diesel prices, and economic trends. During busy months, like spring and summer, demand for dump trucks and local haulers can spike, especially with large infrastructure or paving projects. But in slower months or economic downturns, job volume drops and rates may follow.
Owner-operators without steady contracts or loyal clients may feel the squeeze more than those tied to regular vendors. Flexibility can make all the difference when steady work isn’t guaranteed. Being open to hauling snow, salt, debris, or short-term municipal contracts can help fill the gaps. The more you’re willing to adapt, the better your chances of keeping steady income year-round.
Where you operate has a big impact on your dump truck owner-operator salary. Areas with active construction, new developments, or highway projects tend to offer more consistent work and better rates.
In contrast, rural zones or low-growth regions may leave you waiting for jobs, or taking lower-paying loads just to keep the wheels turning. Working closer to major cities or active industrial zones often translates to better pay and shorter deadhead distances between gigs.
Becoming an owner-operator can be rewarding, but only if you see the full picture. We broke down the annual salary of owner-operators across OTR, regional, and local hauling, and highlighted the difference between gross pay and take-home income.
Before jumping in, take time to weigh your income potential against your actual operating costs. Just as important, think about what kind of lifestyle fits you best, whether that’s the freedom of long-haul routes or the routine of steady local work.
If you’re just starting out or running a small fleet, getting a handle on your numbers early makes a huge difference.
Want to run your local fleet more efficiently? Book a FREE demo and see how our tools support dump truck and hauling businesses like yours, without the paperwork headaches.
Download the free calculator that shows your true hourly cost and helps you quote jobs the right way.
