Pay Per Mile
Pay per mile is a compensation model used by trucking companies where drivers are paid a set rate for every mile driven, typically ranging from $0.55–$0.75/mile for company drivers. Owner-operators earn gross revenue per mile and cover their own expenses.
In Depth
Pay per mile is the most common company driver compensation model in long-haul trucking. The per-mile rate seems straightforward, but drivers must understand which miles count — some carriers pay only loaded miles, others pay all miles including deadhead and bobtail.
For company drivers, earning $0.65/mile at 120,000 miles/year produces $78,000 gross — before taxes and with zero equipment expenses. This compares favorably to owner-operator gross revenue of $200,000 with $140,000 in expenses producing the same $60,000 net.
Owner-operators effectively work on a gross pay-per-mile basis, but their effective rate must exceed their total cost per mile (typically $1.60–$2.00) by enough to generate acceptable net income.
Usage Example
Example: 'My company driver rate is $0.68/mile all miles. Last week I drove 2,800 miles and earned $1,904 before taxes.'
Related Calculators
Related Terms
Rate Per Mile
Rate per mile (RPM) is the gross revenue a carrier earns per mile driven. It is calculated by dividing the total load rate by total miles (loaded + deadhead) and is the most common profitability metric in trucking.
Percentage Pay
Percentage pay is a driver compensation model where the driver earns a percentage of the gross revenue from each load, typically 25–30% for company drivers or 88–95% for leased owner-operators. It ties driver income directly to the load rate.
Cost Per Mile
Cost per mile (CPM) is the total operating cost divided by total miles driven in a given period. It includes both fixed costs (insurance, truck payment) and variable costs (fuel, maintenance) per mile.
Owner-Operator
An owner-operator is a truck driver who owns and operates their own commercial truck, running freight either independently (with their own authority) or leased onto a motor carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good pay per mile rate for company drivers?
In 2026, $0.60–$0.75/mile is competitive for experienced CDL-A drivers. Specialized freight (hazmat, tanker) often pays $0.70–$0.85/mile.