How Much Do Truck Drivers Make In Michigan

Author:Ian Updated on
Mighigan Truck Driver Salary & Pay Guide

Michigan is home to over 10 million people and is known for its agriculture, tourism and manufacturing industries. In fact, the state’s main economic activity is motor vehicles, and truckers are responsible for ensuring vehicles and parts reach the rest of the country.

Michigan truck driver salary is on par with the national average, and a lack of qualified drivers has led to a boom in pay.

If you’re considering becoming a trucker in the state, we will outline Michigan truckers pay in great detail and the available opportunities.

Michigan Truck Driver Salary Overview

Trucker shortages have hit the entire country, and in Michigan, there is a major shortage, too. Drivers will find high-paying jobs for intrastate and long-haul. Depending on the position, you may be responsible for driving across the border into Canada to deliver automotive goods.

Ford and Toyota are two main manufacturers that send 8,000 trucks into Canada per day with a total value of $323 million daily.

Truckers are responsible for hauling these goods and around 70% of all items on local store shelves.

According to outside data, the average Michigan truckers pay is:

Averaging these two figures out, we estimate the average salary to be $67,434.

Based on these figures, weekly salary is roughly $1,296 or $32 an hour if you drive 40 hours a week.

Salaries tend to range from $42,000 to $80,000 for the top 10% of drivers. Depending on your route, skills and endorsements, you may make even more driving for one of the major companies in Michigan.

Michigan Cities That Pay Truckers the Most

Michigan has great competitive pay for all truckers. However, some cities pay their drivers more than others due to high demand. The following cities pay their drivers:

  • $80,300 on average if you drive in Detroit.
  • $80,120 on average for truckers in Lansing.
  • $77,200 on average for driving in Kalamazoo.
  • $56,953 on average in Saline, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor and Dexter.
  • $56,923 on average in Bridgewater and Whitmore Lake.
  • $56,894 on average in Whittaker, Willis and Salem.

The cities that pay the lowest tend to be Baldwin, Bitely and Free Soil, which all pay their drivers just under $51,000.

Note: These figures are based on recent job listings and can change at any time.

Michigan OTR Driver Common Benefits

Benefits are one of the main ways, aside from improving salary, that trucking fleets are trying to attract new talent. The most common benefits include:

  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Stock ownership plan
  • Fuel discount
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Paid toll fees
  • Referral program
  • Vision insurance

Employee stock ownership plans (ESOP) are some of the most popular benefits in recent years. Many trucking fleets have put their employees in the “driver seat,” offering them stock options to help shape the future of the company they help build.

An ESOP is a program provided to drivers that comes at no cost. Many truckers prefer an ESOP because it works as an additional retirement benefit. However, you’ll need to work 1,000 hours a year for the company, and stock is based on: company contributions, W-2 earnings and year driving.

If you’re fully vested (5 years is the norm), an ESOP is a retirement perk that’s 100% free to you.

Michigan Truckers Pay by Type of Route

Trucking routes vary significantly in salary, and if you want to command the highest pay, you’ll choose OTR. However, the issue with this type of route is that the driver rarely gets home time. In fact, only 1.5% of OTR truckers have weekly home time.

The pay for the following types of routes are:

  • OTR truckers make $0.49 – $0.60 per mile, with most logging 3,110 miles a week.
  • Regional positions offer home time to 50% of drivers who haul goods for $0.43 – $0.55 per mile and log 2,900 miles a week.
  • Local truckers receive the most home time, with over 60% home each day. Pay per mile is $0.41 – $0.53, and you’ll drive around 2,900 miles a week.

Based on these averages, we can also average the pay for each position, which will vary significantly by company and experience. The pay for these routes comes out to:

  • $1,519 – $1,860 per week for an OTR driver
  • $1,247 – $1,595 per week for a regional driver
  • $1,189 – $1,537 per week for a local driver

Local drivers earn less than their counterparts, but daily home time is worth the reduction in salary for many of these drivers.

Current Job Listings and Salary for Truck Drivers

The following job listings are available at the time of writing this article, and they show just how much truck drivers earn at different companies.

  • US Foods is offering a position for a full-time, CDL A driver with a salary of between $75,000 and $80,000.
  • Lazer Spot is looking for a CDL A driver, with pay of $1,000 to $1,500, depending on where you live.
  • Hirschbach is searching for team drivers and wants a full-time crew that they’re willing to pay $0.65 starting.
  • Pilot Flying is looking for local drivers and is willing to pay $89,000 a year. You’ll receive daily home time for this position, but you will need to have both your Tanker and Hazmat endorsements to drive for the company.

Michigan truck driver salary is rising, and with greater demand and labor shortages, the trend of higher pay and benefits is likely to continue. With great pay, benefits and sign-on bonuses, truckers can fill an essential supply chain role while ensuring a long-lasting career.

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