Many authorities and private enterprises must work together to keep roads safe for motorists. Accidents and breakdowns must be dealt with promptly and effectively.
Tow truck drivers are highly trained professionals that are capable of operating a variety of tow vehicles and accompanying equipment.
These drivers usually have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and may also be certified to drive a tow truck.
Tow truck drivers are part of the team that responds to these situations and ensures that automobiles are in the truck and delivered safely.
Their job is actually tough and dangerous because you never know where you are going. That is why you might wonder how much tow truck drivers make and is their salary even enough?
According to Indeed, 42% of tow truck drivers in the U.S. are satisfied with their salary and think it is enough to support their cost of living.
So to find out more about what does a tow truck driver do, how can you become one, etc. keep reading!
Summary
| Guide | How Much Do Tow Truck Drivers Make? |
|---|---|
| Average Income | $75,000 per year |
| Highest Income | $95,000-$100,000 per year |
| Education Qualification | Needed |
| Training | Needed |
Who Are Tow Truck Drivers?
Tow truck drivers respond to requests for help from motorists, businesses, and other organizations that have engaged with the towing firm to remove automobiles.
They load, carry, and unload automobiles that have become stuck or in an illegal park spot or parked illegally.
Tow truck drivers evaluate the situation’s safety and determine when and how to properly remove a car off a roadway.
There is not just one type of tow truck and driver; there are several in this profession. Those include conventional tow trucks, wheel lift trucks, flatbed trucks, and so on.
They all have different uses, and even though many tow truck drivers can use nearly all of them, it is still good to have some sort of experience in every one of them.
Also Read: How Much Do Heavy Equipment Operators Make?
How Much Do Tow Truck Drivers Make?
Tow truck drivers earn a range of incomes depending on their qualifications. For example, more experienced drivers, particularly those who assist in the training of new drivers, earn more money, as do drivers in large states with high living costs.
However, in the United States, a tow truck driver’s average yearly compensation is around $75,000.
It’s also vital to understand that there’s not a lot of space for advancement because you don’t make a lot of money as you get expertise.
1. How Much Do Tow Truck Drivers Make in an Hour
Tow Truck Drivers make a minimum of of $9.38 an hour and a maximum of $38.46 an hour.
2. How Much Do Tow Truck Drivers Make in a Month?
Tow Truck Drivers make a minimum of of $1,625 a month and a maximum of $6,667 a month.
3. How Much Do Tow Truck Drivers Make in a Year?
Tow Truck Drivers make a minimum of of $19,500 a year and a maximum of $80,000 a year.
Highest Salary Of Tow Truck Drivers in 2023
When it comes to the highest salary of two truck drivers, we do not see too much of a difference between the average salary and the highest salary, as we have mentioned before.
The highest salary, which about 10% of tow truck drivers earn in the United States, is around $95,000-$100,000.
Even though it is still good money and you can reach six figures, if you have a decade of experience, you would want to get more than $20,000 of difference annually than the average tow truck driver salary.
Which Cities Pays the Most for Being a Tow Truck Driver?
Is Being A Tow Truck Driver Good Or Bad?
The majority of people do not regard the tow truck driver profession as a good thing because it is a really hard job, you spend a lot of time on the road, and you might need to work at night because of night shifts in some places, and so on.
However, if you enjoy dealing with cars and working in one of them all the time, it could be a good career choice for you as the pay is pretty good in general.
Pros and Cons of Being A Tow Truck Driver
Pros
- Get to be your own boss
- You get to decide the work timings
- Decent pay
- Job security
Cons
- Dangerous work
- You will have to get drug tested
- Might have to work for long hours sometimes
How To Become A Tow Truck Driver?
Here’s how you can become a Tow Truck Driver:
- To drive a tow truck, you must be at least 18 years old. Many organizations, however, need many years of experience; therefore, the average age to start driving is between 21 and 25.
- Although having a specialized degree is not required, many employers like to see at least a high school diploma or a GED.
- Tow truck driving regulations differ from state to state in the United States. Most of them demand that you pass a series of examinations and complete licensing programs. If you work in a state that shares a border with another, you may require certification in both states.
- Apart from this, you will have to pass a physical examination that includes a vision, hearing, and drug test. To be able to keep going with the physical demands of the job, you must be in good health.
- Also, it is not only necessary to have a normal state-issued driver’s license, but it is also necessary to have a clean driving record.
How to Start a Tow Truck Business & Make More Money?
How Many Hours Does Tow Truck Driver Work?
The working time of a Tow Truck Driver depends on the employee contract, and it also depends on how you choose to work- full-time or part-time.
Some might work for less than 20 hours, and some can end up working for 70 hours a week. If you do not like the odd work hours, then you may request to work in a 9-5 structure too.
What is the Starting Pay of Tow Truck Driver?
The starting pay of a Tow Truck Driver is $9.38 an hour or $1,625 a month.
The amount you earn depends on the number of hours you work and also on whether you are working part-time or full-time. With experience, you can make a maximum of $80,000 a year in this field.
Tow Truck Driver Training Programs
Many tow truck drivers receive on-the-job training to learn how to operate the trucks. Although you do not need any formal schooling, many firms prefer to recruit high school graduates.
An experienced driver discusses the safety protocols and corporate regulations to a new recruit as they start a towing duty.
Towing, like many other vocations, has gotten more sophisticated in recent decades, necessitating the development of more organized training programs.
The Towing and Recovery Association of America (TRAA) offers a certification program for those with prior towing expertise. This course is available in person or online.
Also Know How Much Do Ice Road Truckers Make?
Conclusion
To sum it all up, being a tow truck driver does not require too much apart from the certifications and the licenses, but it is always better to have some sort of experience as an apprenticeship.
The pay is way above the average salary for all professions in the United States, and there is a potential to go as high as six figures, so it could be a good career choice for those who like what the job has to offer.
FAQ
How much do tow truck drivers make when they first start off?
When you first start as a tow truck driver, you ought to get lower than the average salary in general, but if you have extensive education, you might get a little bit higher.
How much do tow truck drivers make without any practical experience?
When you do not have any experience whatsoever, you get the lowest salary possible, sometimes an intern’s salary.
How much do tow truck drivers make when they have a decade of experience?
Tow truck drivers with at least a decade of experience generally earn close to six figures annually.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
ARTICLE SOURCES
The US Workforce has a policy of producing high-quality content that follows industry standards by using primary sources, such as white papers and government data, alongside original reporting from reputable publishers. We also follow an editorial style where appropriate information about the topic can be found with due credit given when applicable.
- https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/TOW-Truck-Driver-Salary#:~:text=As%20of%20May%2018%2C%202023,%2Fweek%20or%20%243%2C263%2Fmonth.[↩]
- https://www.reddit.com/r/towing/comments/3v1zni/what_are_the_pros_cons_of_being_a_tow_truck_driver/[↩]
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-tow-truck-driver[↩]