If you’re interested in a career in the trucking industry, you may be considering working as a cement truck driver. While this may be a rewarding and satisfying career, it’s important to consider how much you’ll earn.
How much do concrete truck drivers make? What factors affect their salaries?
What Do Cement Truck Drivers Do Beyond Driving?
Cement truck drivers operate specialized mixer trucks designed to stir and pour concrete at construction sites. Drivers are expected to not only drive the truck to the construction site, but also load the truck, mix the cement and pour the concrete under the foreman’s supervision.
Drivers may also be tasked with cleaning their trucks and performing other maintenance.
A cement truck driver’s day can start as early as 6 AM, and the job is highly seasonal. In warmer climates, drivers may be busy all year long. However, in areas that have cold winters, there may be slow periods.
If you only plan to work within your state’s borders, you’ll only need a CDL B to enter this industry. However, while you may only need a CDL B, obtaining your CDL A will give you more options as a trucker and the ability to drive over the road.
Conrete Truck Driver Salary Data
Salaries for cement truck drivers can vary greatly depending on their location, experience and employer.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average cement truck driver earns:
- $18.84/hour. That’s $3,266 per month r $753 per week.
Pay rates can range from $11.78/hour to $25/hour.
Drivers in the 25th percentile earned $16.83 per hour, while those in the 75th percentile earned $20.91 per hour.
Glassdoor paints a different picture when it comes to cement truck driver salaries. According to their data, the average driver in this field earns:
- $55,690/year
Data from Salary.com shows that the median pay for a concrete truck driver is:
- $24/hour
Their data shows that pay can range from $19/hour on the low end to $32/hour on the high end.
Of course, in addition to base salary, cement truck drivers also receive valuable benefits that increase their compensation package, such as:
- Health insurance
- 401(k)
- Vacation time
- Bonuses
Individual employers may offer other perks and benefits that add to the employee’s overall salary.
So, overall, concrete truck drivers working 40 hours a week can expect to earn as little as $24,502 and as much as $66,560 using the data listed above.
Factors Affecting the Average Cement Truck Driver Pay
There are a few factors that will impact a cement truck driver’s salary. The two most important factors are location and experience.
#1 – Location
Cement truck drivers may earn more in some locations than others. Some of the highest paying locations include:
- New York, NY: $46,540/year or $22.37/hour
- San Mateo, CA: $45,605/year or $21.93/hour
- Juneau, AK: $44,364/year or $21.33/hour
- Boston, MA: $44,335/year or $21.32/hour
- Berkeley, CA: $43,865/year or $21.09/hour
- Santa Monica, CA: $43,804/year or $21.06/hour
- Daly City, CA: $43,742/year or $21.03/hour
- Minneapolis, MN: $43,035/year or $20.69/hour
These locations beat the national average pay for cement truck drivers. But, of course, many of these locations also have a higher overall cost of living, which may offset the increase.
#2 – Experience
Of course, experience can also increase your salary. According to data from Payscale, drivers with 20+ years of experience can earn 9% more than entry-level drivers.
Their data shows that drivers with less than a year of experience earn $17.51 per hour, while those with 20+ years of experience earn $21.25 per hour.
#3 – Employer
Some employers choose to pay more or less than the national average. Those that pay more will likely have more stringent requirements for experience and safety. On the other hand, those who pay less may be more willing to hire rookies and work with drivers that have less than perfect driving records.
Do Owner Operators Work In The Cement / Concrete field?
Can concrete drivers operate as an owner-operator? Technically, yes. But is it practical? In many cases, no.
Most construction sites will require back-to-back trucks for a concrete job, and a single owner operator may not be able to keep up with that kind of demand.
That said, some owner-operators are driving ready-mix trucks. It’s an investment, but some find that it’s worth it. Unfortunately, owner-operators are far and few between in this industry, and your location will largely dictate whether this would be a viable option for you.
Cement truck drivers play an essential role in the trucking and construction industry. Drivers are responsible for transporting the truck to the job site as well as mixing and pouring the cement. Training and licensing requirements aren’t quite as stringent as OTR, but obtaining a CDL A can open up more opportunities for truckers in this industry.