CPM (Cents Per Mile)
The standard pay rate metric for truck drivers.
Definition
Cents Per Mile is the most common pay structure in trucking. Drivers are paid a set rate for each mile driven as recorded by the truck's odometer or the carrier's dispatched miles (which may differ). Typical CPM rates range from $0.28-$0.40 for new drivers to $0.55-$0.75+ for experienced drivers in specialized equipment. Some carriers use practical miles (shortest route) while others use hub miles (household goods industry standard).
Why it matters to you
CPM is the number recruiters lead with, and the one most often compared wrongly. A higher cents-per-mile at a carrier that runs you short weeks pays less than a lower rate with steady miles. Ask which miles are paid — practical, hub or dispatched — and what the weekly average actually is. Those two answers turn a pay rate into a paycheck you can plan around.
FAQ
What does CPM (Cents Per Mile) mean?
The standard pay rate metric for truck drivers.
Why does CPM (Cents Per Mile) matter to a driver?
CPM is the number recruiters lead with, and the one most often compared wrongly. A higher cents-per-mile at a carrier that runs you short weeks pays less than a lower rate with steady miles. Ask which miles are paid — practical, hub or dispatched — and what the weekly average actually is. Those two answers turn a pay rate into a paycheck you can plan around.
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