How Much Does A Truck Driver Make in Canada?
When you become a truck driver in Canada, you can visit every corner of the country and even go to the US. More and more people are attracted to Canada and become truck drivers because of the promising good wage.
Truck drivers in Canada get paid either by the hour or by miles. The average truck driver in Canada earns around 46,800 CAD per year or 24 CAD per hour. For entry-level positions, the starting wage is approximately 39,000 CAD, while most experienced truck drivers can earn up to 60,450 annually.
There is a current demand for truck drivers in Canada. That is why, when you check online job postings for truck drivers in the country or search online “truck driver salary in Canada,” you can see the salary offers of truck companies, some of which are negotiable and can reach up to 90,000 CAD annually.
Different online job platforms have different average annual truck driver salaries in Canada. To give you an idea, refer to this table:
Factors that Affect a Truck Driver’s Salary in Canada
Before packing your bags and flying to Canada just because you saw that you could earn up to almost 100,000 CAD a year driving trucks, take these claims with a grain of salt. Remember that certain factors will dictate your salary as a truck driver.
A truck driver’s salary in Canada is affected by the following factors that focus on the driver’s qualifications:
- Skill level or training
- Level of work experience
- Language ability in English and French
- The province you intend to operate in
Other factors such as the type of trucking, niche in trucking, and the trucking company one will apply to can also affect your salary as a truck driver in Canada.
To give you a more realistic hourly wage for truck drivers in Canada, refer to this table of hourly wages of truck drivers in Canada by community or area updated on November 2022:
Source: Jobbank.gc.ca
If you are a newcomer in Canada who is also new to driving a truck, practicing modesty in your salary expectations would be best, as the job will take longer to earn 100,000 CAD a year. Start at the minimum at first; then, your salary will undoubtedly increase as you gain more years of experience in the field.
Types of Truck Driver Pay in Canada
These are the primary ways truck drivers are paid:
Pay per hour
Being paid by the hour is what most truck drivers prefer nowadays. When you are paid by the hour, you can expect consistent driver's pay even if your truck is broken down or freight movement is halted. Following precise Hours of Service Rules, drivers who are paid by the hour wouldn’t feel pressured and will be much less inclined to hurry compared to being paid per mile.
Pay per mile or cents per mile (CPM)
The oldest method of a truck driver’s salary is by mileage rate set by the trucking company. Drivers are often paid for the mile they run. To calculate a driver’s pay, the company will consider either the practical mileage, household goods (HHG) miles, hub mileage (also called actual miles), or sliding scale pay.
Along with the mileage pay, some trucking companies offer additional payment for pickups & drops and waiting time pay.
Salary
Salaried drivers often receive pay per week. Their income is consistent and is not dependent on the specific miles or hours of work; instead, the flat rate is set at the beginning of the job contract.
Pay per load
When you are paid per load, you earn a flat rate for each load you deliver. You earn more when you deliver more loads regardless of the hours you drove or the miles you travelled. This type of pay is often offered if you work in the agriculture sector, oil and gas industries, and local delivery jobs.
If you want a high-paying truck driving job, it is best to look for a province in Canada where the salary is high and the cost of living is more affordable.
The Bottomline
Being a truck driver is recommended if you want to earn decent money in Canada. However, at times, remember that the high-paying provinces for truck drivers in Canada could also be the provinces where the cost of living is high. To find a high-paying truck driving job in Canada, the secret is to work in a province where the salary is high, and the cost of living is low. That way, you can save more.
If you are working in Canada to support your family back home, send money through RemitBee. Our services are fast, safe, and convenient. You can send money using our remittance service anywhere in the world! We provide the best currency exchange rates and low transfer fees. You can even send money for free with us when you send over 500 CAD.
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