Want to qualify for a top-paying trucking job? You'll need more than a valid CDL. Trucking companies look at your safety record, driving experience, work history, and ability to meet their hiring standards. But finding a great trucking job also means knowing how to compare pay, home time, freight, and the work you'll do each day.

If you’ve been looking at truck driver incomes across different divisions and freight types, chances are you’ve probably come across Department of Defense (DOD) drivers. They make significantly more money than a lot of other drivers in the industry. In fact, teams at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), are making upwards of $6,500 to $8,000 per week.

Truck drivers can be paid by the mile, by a percentage of load revenue, by the hour or load, and through additional pay, such as detention, stops, accessorials, and bonuses. For over-the-road (OTR) drivers, cents-per-mile (CPM) and percentage pay are two common pay structures.

A truck driver referral program is a recruiting strategy where current CDL drivers recommend qualified candidates in exchange for bonuses, helping trucking companies improve hiring speed, strengthen fleet capacity, and increase driver retention.

If you've found yourself on this post, it's likely because you're interested in team truck driving. Maybe you've been driving solo for a while or maybe you're just starting out on your trucking journey. You may have heard that there's more money in driving as a team (and there is), but how much more depends on three main factors:

A fuel surcharge is an additional fee trucking companies charge customers to help offset changing diesel fuel prices. For independent contractors and owner-operators who cover their own fuel costs, fuel surcharges can play an important role in determining whether a load is profitable.

Fuel prices are everywhere in the news right now, and not exactly for the best reasons. Trucking companies, truck drivers, and regular commuters are all concerned about the increase (and uncertainty) in prices and what it means for their wallets.