CRST Trucking is a leader in the transportation ndustry with over 55 years of experience.
Family owned, CRST is the country’s largest team carrier, and they train thousands of new drivers each year.
If you’re a trucker (or aspiring trucker) that doesn’t mind driving a company truck, the CRST pay scale offers competitive per mile earnings and excellent benefits.
The annual earnings have jumped $12k per year since our last update in April of 2017.
What Employee Benefits Are Available With CRST?
CRST offers attractive employee benefits, including health benefits that start on your very first day as a driver. As a CRST trucker, you’ll also receive the following benefits:
- 410(k) after 90 days; After 13 months, CRST will contribute 50% to your 401(k)
- Paid time off
- Vision, dental and life insurance
- Blue Shield PPO
- Short-term disability
- Flexible, twice-a-week payments
- Gym reimbursements
- Per diem tax benefit
That’s not all. CRST also offers guaranteed home time. If you can’t get home with your truck, they’ll find a mode of transportation that will get you home in time.
As a CRST trucker, you’ll also receive a sign-on bonus, and you’ll be paid for miles regardless of whether your truck is loaded or empty.
CRST pays for transportation to orientation upfront.
They’ll also pay for your drug and physical screening. And if the company hires someone you referred, you’ll receive a bonus of up to $500.
While this may not be considered a benefit, CRST does allow truckers to shut down at their own discretion if inclement weather or illness becomes a problem.
What is the Average Trucker Pay For CRST Drivers?
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CRST Pay Ranking
Summary
CRST offers competitive pay, especially for experienced drivers.
How much you’ll earn when you first start out will depend on whether you pay for schooling or become a contract student (join the CRST company-sponsored training program).
When you first start out, you’ll be splitting your mileage pay between you and the driver you team with. The pay listed below is based on this split mileage pay scale from 2016. *Please note these rates have changed and we are awaiting statistics from the company to update.
CRST Pay for Contract Students
- Month 1: 22cpm (28 days will be spent with a trainer)
- Month 2: 22cpm
- Months 3-5: 23cpm
- Months 6-12: 31cpm
Salary for Grads Who Pay for Schooling Upfront
- Month 1: 22cpm (28 days will be spent with a trainer)
- Months 2-4: 26cpm
- Months 5-6: 30cpm
- Months 7-12: 31cpm
Experienced Trucker Salary
Once you reach the 13 month milestone, you will start earning experienced driver pay.
- Months 13-18: 34cpm
- Months 19-24: 36cpm
- Months 25-30: 38cpm
- Months 31-42: 39cpm
- Months 43-54: 40cpm
- Months 55-72: 41cpm
- Month 73 and beyond: 43cpm
During your first year on the job, you’ll receive at least three pay increases. Once you make it past your first year, you’ll receive a raise every six months to two years. At this point, pay increases will depend on your experience.
CRST Trucking Divisions
CRST has a number of subsidiaries, so you’re sure to find the perfect fit when looking for a trucking company. CRST trucking divisions include:
- CRST Malone for independent truckers
- Temp controlled hauls
- Specialized transportation through STI
- Dedicated freight services
- Expedited services
- BESL building commodities and machinery shipments
Job opportunities are available in each of these divisions, but experience and additional training may be required for specialized services. Regardless of which division you choose, all CRST drivers receive the same employee benefits and competitive pay.
Does CRST Run Their Own Truck Driving School?
CRST offers new drivers two ways to earn their CDL A license: through the company-sponsored program in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, or at one of the many independent training schools the company has partnered with. If you choose to train in Iowa, all transportation and lodging will be covered by CRST.
Classes begin every week and last two to four weeks.
There are two important things that need to be noted about the CRST training: you’ll need your HazMat certification and a passport before you start training.
If you don’t have the funds to pay for training yourself, you can join CRST’s sponsored program. The company will pay for your schooling upfront in exchange for a 10-month commitment.
If you do decide to go this route, you’ll start on a lower pay scale (see above) for the first six months. The upfront cost of tuition is $2,500, so if you have the funds to pay for schooling, it’s recommended that you do so to earn higher pay at the start of your employment.
CRST Malone
CRST Trucking hauls mostly team-based freight, so you’ll be driving with a partner for at least the first year. In fact, only 12% of CRST drivers are solo.
If you prefer to drive alone or would rather not drive a company truck, CRST Malone may be the better option for you. Malone is CRST’s owner-operator branch that’s been around for more than 85 years. They’re a 100% independent contractor company.
CRST Malone Pay
As an independent contractor, you’ll earn more per loaded mile than driving a company truck. Malone offers:
- $2,000 sign-on bonus
- 100% fuel surcharge
- $2.00 per loaded mile on average
Aside from owner-operators, CRST Malone also offers a lease-purchase option and jobs for those with small fleets.
So, if you don’t have the money to buy your own truck, you can lease through Malone with no money down, no credit check and payments that compete with dealer financing. And the average pay is over $2 per mile.
No matter whether you’re looking for a company-sponsored trucking school, want to drive a company truck or hope to work as an owner-operator, CRST has opportunities for you.