In the world of truck driving, many newcomers are lured into the realm of becoming an owner operator. Given the choice of earning .34¢per mile or $1.15 per mile, it is not difficult to understand why someone would choose the route of higher earnings. At 2500 miles per week, the difference of $2025.00 extra per week deserves attention. However, when dealing with professional truck driving jobs, you must deal with reality.

In an industry where the driver averages 100,000 miles per year, an owner operator compensated at $1.15 per mile is looking at grossing $115,000.00 annually. Compared to the average company driver at .34¢ per mile, their annual gross is a mere $34,000. Why would anyone choose a $34,000 yearly income more than $115,000 while performing the same duties?

Although owner operators are declining, there are still those companies that advertise proudly that they are a 100% owner operator fleet. Some have even raised the compensation to an enormous $1.50 per mile. At 100,000 miles per year, you are now facing a gross income of $150,000 per year! As a newcomer searching for a new career and a company willing to place you in "your own truck," the excitement of earning that kind of money is hard to turn down. You want the freedom . . . you want your own business . . . you want $100,000 plus per year. It all sounds great. Now, let me take you to reality.

Owner operator lease programs are a way for new drivers to "own" a truck. The driver is responsible for all expenses, including fuel and repairs. Although there are some who do well with it, the majority of these owner operators will fail. To me, a lease owner operator is nothing more than a glorified company driver. Let's take a look at a profit and loss analysis sheet for an owner operator and a company driver, and you be the judge:

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Company Driver: Profit and Loss - Based on 100,000 miles per year

Compensation : .34¢ per mile = Driver's Gross income - $34,000

Misc. Expenses, including meals @ $125.00 per week = Total Cost - $6500

*Tax withholdings @ 15% = Annual deductions - $5100

Company Driver NET annual income = $22,400.00

Company Driver NET weekly income = $430.77

*Tax withholding is estimate only at 15% average

And now . . . the "owner operator":

Owner Operator: Profit and Loss - Based on 100,000 miles per year

Compensation : $1.15 per mile = Driver's Gross income - $115,000

Truck Payment @ 1,333.35/month = Annual Cost - $16,000.20

Collision/Comp. Insurance = Annual Cost - $6300

Bobtail Insurance = Annual Cost - $804

Licenses = Annual Cost - $1,835

Permits = Annual Cost - $525

Accounting Services = Annual Cost - $725

Tractor Fuel = Annual Cost - $39,397.06

Truck Wash = Annual Cost - $701

Telephone = Annual Cost - $1,624

Meals = Annual Cost - $6500

Tolls = Annual Estimated Cost - $1,275

Taxes (Road, Use, Fuel) - $1,755

Taxes (Personal @ 15%) - Annual Cost - $17,250

Misc. Expenses - Annual Cost - $500

Maintenance @ .06¢ per mile = Annual Cost - $6000

Total Income to Owner Operator = $115,000

Total Cost of Operation = $101,191.26

Owner Operator NET annual income = $13,808.74

NET weekly income = $265.55

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The "freedom" of being an owner operator is a myth. Turn down a load or "head home" whenever you want, and see how long the company will make you sit afterwards. As a company driver just drive . . . without the headaches and expenses associated with the owner operator program. If over the road truck driving is in your plans, think hard about the possibilities that await you. Like everything in life . . . learn all you can BEFORE you begin the journey. It is imperative that you know the truth about trucking.

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