How experienced CDL-A drivers can compare per mile and percentage pay before choosing their next company driver job.
Company driver pay is easier to compare when you understand how the carrier calculates it. A larger rate on paper does not always produce a better truck driver paycheck. Paid miles, freight type, accessorial work, empty miles, home time, and how consistently the truck moves can all affect what a driver earns.
For experienced CDL-A drivers considering Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc., the current pay structure depends on the freight division. That makes it important to compare the method of pay, not just one advertised number.
How Per Mile Pay Works
Per mile pay ties compensation to the miles a driver is paid to run. When comparing company driver pay per mile, ask whether the carrier uses practical miles, how empty miles are handled, and whether additional work is paid separately.
Buchanan currently gives dry van company drivers a choice between mileage pay and 29% of gross line haul. Under the mileage option, Buchanan states that all practical miles are paid whether the truck is loaded or empty. Drivers researching truck driver per mile pay should confirm the current mileage rate with recruiting because rates can change.
How Percentage Pay Works
Percentage pay is tied to the revenue generated by the load rather than a fixed rate for each mile. Buchanan currently pays flatbed, step deck, and Conestoga company drivers 29% of gross line haul. These drivers also receive 100% of applicable tarping and chaining fees.
Percentage pay can make sense for freight where the value of the load or the work involved varies from trip to trip. Drivers should ask what the percentage is based on, which accessorials are paid to the driver, and how freight availability affects weekly earnings.
Pay Rate and Take Home Are Not the Same Thing
Searches for best paying company driver jobs or a higher company driver salary often focus on one number. Experienced drivers know there is more to the picture.
- Are loaded and empty miles paid?
- How is line haul revenue calculated?
- Are tarping, chaining, detention, or other accessorials paid?
- Is freight steady enough to keep the truck moving?
- How often is payroll deposited?
- What benefits are part of the total compensation package?
Buchanan currently provides weekly direct deposit for company drivers and offers benefits that include health plan options, 401(k) matching, paid vacation, holiday pay, and a per diem plan. Details and eligibility should be reviewed on the Company Drivers page.
What Can Affect a Company Driver Paycheck?
Even within the same pay model, earnings can change from week to week. Freight type, miles, route, time available to work, load assignments, and paid accessorials can all play a role. Buchanan's existing What Impacts Driver Pay resource explains the broader factors that can influence driver earnings.
Drivers looking for driver jobs that pay well should compare the whole position. A strong opportunity should make the pay structure understandable and give the driver enough information to judge how it fits their experience and work preferences.
Compare the Pay Structure Before You Apply
Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc. has been operating since 1996 and recruits experienced CDL-A company drivers across dry van, flatbed, Conestoga, heavy haul, and other freight opportunities based on current needs. The pay model can vary by division, so the right questions matter.
If you have at least two years of verifiable Class A CDL experience and a driving record that meets Buchanan's standards, review the current company driver opportunities. You can also read 15 Tips for More Money as a Truck Driver or contact recruiting to discuss current pay options. When the freight, schedule, and compensation structure fit what you want from your next job, apply to drive for Buchanan Hauling & Rigging, Inc.
Additional Links of Interest
Truck Driver Benefits Beyond Pay | CDL-A Driver Job Requirements | Dry Van CDL-A Driver Jobs | Flatbed CDL-A Driver Jobs | Additional FAQs | Contact Us
