Whether you鈥檙e working toward a commercial driver鈥檚 license (CDL) or recently became a truck driver, you鈥檒l need to decide between being a company driver and an owner operator. Each option has its own advantages and perks. This guide will help you determine which is best for you.
Company Driver
As a company driver, you鈥檒l operate a truck owned by the employer. In most cases, you鈥檒l be paid by the mile and receive benefits, such as medical and dental insurance. However, if you operate a vehicle locally, the pay will usually be by the hour. This is because you won鈥檛 drive enough miles for the pay-per-mile model to be worthwhile.
When working for an employer, you won鈥檛 be solely responsible for maintenance. They鈥檒l cover the costs and ensure that you don鈥檛 spend off-time repairing the engine or changing the oil. Instead, you鈥檒l be able to relax, focus on hobbies, and spend time with friends and family.
Additionally, being a company driver comes with job security. There鈥檚 a truck driver shortage, which means you won鈥檛 have to worry about finding or keeping a job.
Finally, you won鈥檛 have the start-up costs associated with owning a truck. This means you won鈥檛 have to worry about paying off any debts, providing more freedom.
Owner Operator
Being an owner operator means you own the truck, and it鈥檚 essentially like running your own business. You鈥檒l need to manage the payments and expenses and take care of maintenance and repairs. Rather than simply being told what you鈥檙e hauling, you鈥檒l have to contract loads from trucking companies, making sure the rates are high enough to cover costs.
While there鈥檚 more risk to being an owner operator, there are also benefits. For example, you can earn more money, as a percentage of the profits won鈥檛 go to an employer. Also, you get to choose a vehicle and equipment, and you won鈥檛 have to worry about another truck driver changing the settings on the seat or radio.
Being your own boss may be the most significant benefit. You get to choose which types of loads to take, and there will be more flexibility with vacation and the working hours.
If you鈥檙e looking to enter the trucking industry, contact 黑料不打烊. Our CDL program will prepare you for a lucrative career in a growing field. Call (330) 239-2229 to speak to an admissions officer.
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