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:
- The carrier company you drive for
- Driver- and freight type
- Your motivation
As the operations support manager at Anderson Trucking Service (ATS), my job is all about the money: I make sure our drivers get paid, work with state departments to cover fines, help drivers understand what they need for their taxes, and much more. It’s also my job to walk you through how team driver pay works. So, before you hit the road with a co-driver, here are a few key things to help you understand how team driver pay works.
Key Points to Consider for Team Truck Drivers
- Team truck drivers generally earn higher annual salaries than solo drivers: Being able to take turns driving means stopping less.
- Pay structures may vary from company to company, and across different types of freight: High-demand freight, such as Department of Defense (DOD) or time-sensitive loads, can earn teams up to $10,000/week per driver.
- More experience behind the wheel = more money.
- Independent contractors (lease/owner operators) take on more risk, which means more money.
Average Truck Driver Salary: Team vs. Solo
Now let's get right into it. When it comes down to pay, two is better than one.
Team truck drivers tend to earn more than solo drivers. When you think about, it makes sense. A team can keep the truck moving almost nonstop, and more miles means more money. Because freight that teams haul typically needs to arrive quickly (like military or perishable goods), the loads pay more. Though, those kinds of high-priority loads require experience and often special permits, too.
While pay will always vary depending on the carrier company, the type of driver, and the type of freight, a general rule is to double the solo driver's salary for a team, but it's important to understand how you'll be paid before you sign on with a carrier company.
How Do Independent Contractor and Company Driver Pay Compare?
Before we break down the details, here's a quick snapshot of how pay differs for company drivers versus independent contractors:
- Independent Contractor Teams: If one driver owns or leases the truck, that driver receives 100% of the pay, but is responsible for covering expenses (truck payment, insurance, maintenance), and for paying their driving partner. Setting up a business, like an LLC, helps manage these responsibilities and taxes smoothly.
- Company Team Drivers: Paid by cents-per-mile (CPM) or a percentage of the load, depending on the carrier. Accessorial pay or bonuses may also apply.
Team Pay for Independent Contractors
When you own or lease your truck, team pay can be a little complicated. Across the industry, it’s common for the lessee or the truck owner to take on the full financial responsibilities for the truck and, because of that, they receive 100% of the pay. After covering expenses, that driver then pays their co-driver.
Ideally, the lessee or truck owner should have a business set up so they can issue the second driver a W-2 or 1099 tax form at the end of the year. Think of the second driver as an employee of the lessee/owner.
Though, if you’d rather not file an LLC as the lessee/owner, you can talk to a tax preparer to put together the necessary tax documents you'll need to provide the second driver.
All team earnings (including bonuses) are paid to the lessee or owner, with most teams deciding in advance how this pay will be split. Because the lessee/owner takes on the extra burden of financial responsibility, they often take a larger cut of the money. Some teams split their earnings 60/40, and some split it 70/30.
No matter your relationship, always have a clear agreement in place before you start driving. It prevents misunderstandings and keeps both drivers protected.
Team Pay for Company Drivers
For company drivers, pay is simpler. Both drivers are paid (either by the CPM rate or percentage of the load) and neither has to worry about truck payments or insurance, as the company covers those costs.
It's common for company driver teams to split the pay evenly. If, for example, the rate for the load is $0.80/mile, each driver would get $0.40/mile. With that said, seniority may impact this at some carriers. A more seasoned driver might earn $0.43/mile on the same load while their less experienced partner earns $0.40/mile.
However it pans out, it's again important to have this discussion before hitting the road. Keep in mind that team drivers are paid for all loaded miles, regardless of who drives more. It doesn't matter who's behind the wheel when — it's the total loaded miles that count.
Each company driver receives their own paycheck and tax form and decides for themselves how they want to do their deductions. At the end of the year, they'll get a W-2 from the company showing their taxable income, which makes it easy for each driver to file their own taxes and track their annual salaries. What one driver does with their money doesn’t affect the other.
Last Stop
Team driving isn’t easy. While many drivers start driving as a team simply for the money, they don’t always think about whether or not they can handle it. Whether you're an independent contractor or a company driver, understanding how truck driving pay structures work ensures you earn what you deserve.
If you're ready to explore team driving opportunities, ATS is looking for teams to move Department of Defense (DOD) freight. Whether you already have your security clearance or have yet to earn it, we can guide you through the process and help you reach your full potential as a truck driver.
Fill out an application or talk to an ATS driver consultant to learn more today.