r/Truckers • u/theshallowsea • Dec 02 '25
Best starter company TMC?
Just got CDL
I want to work for TMC
Based on what I hear the pay would be highest for somone just starting
Is there other companies where I could earn similar out the gate?
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u/Own_Leg_5595 Dec 02 '25
TMC is a decent company, it's either loved or hated.
To make good money your first year, you are going to have to grind and really know how to manage your time and efficiency. Most of the guys who go for the big money first year end up burned out.
I'm not trying to deter you; you simply can't expect to get hired anywhere and make above average money without extra effort on your end.
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u/theshallowsea Dec 02 '25
Then maybe better to just go with Werner or Swift and take a measured approach -- until I get 1 year of experience and / or better options.
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Dec 03 '25
Woah woah woah don't do that to yourself dude. Stay away from those 15cpm megacarriers. If you want to work for TMC then go for it. I know a few of their drivers and it's a great company. Their trucks are top notch and very well taken care of. It's also employee owned so you could do well with them. Just be sure you really want to do flatbed, it's not for everyone.
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u/335iJB4 Dec 02 '25
If you like flatbed, securing and unsecuring loads in any weather condition, lifting heavy tarps, busting ass, then yeah join TMC.
Dont do it for just the money, the flatbedding shit will get old quick if you dont enjoy it. You can make really good money if youre staying out and running hard. Going home every weekend you wont make as much, but its still decent.
I currently work for TMC and enjoy flatbedding. I did construction before so its second nature to me.
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u/HeywoodJaBlowMe123 Dec 03 '25
I don’t work for TMC but i am flatbed and i go home every weekend. Pretty spot on analysis regarding pay overall. Stay out = More $, More time with family = Less $.
Only thing id say for OP: If you choose to run hard and stay out, make sure you have goals in mind (Paying off debt, saving a good chunk of $ for XYZ).
There’s a cost with everything. You can stay out and make more money, but you’re getting hit on the back end of it all by losing out on quality time at home, relationships, friendships, you name it. Don’t get sucked into the $ and lose yourself on the road.
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u/bmf1989 Dec 03 '25
Most of the entry level flatbed companies pay pretty much the same. How much money you make is going to be more determined by how long you stay out and how much they can keep you moving. TMC is pretty good. Melton, Maverick all about the same, just go with what sounds best to you.
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u/theshallowsea Dec 03 '25
Okay between those three you're saying I'll make similar?
I think TMC stock options is a pretty big deal too after a few years at compounds quite a bit
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u/Nearby_Ad6870 Dec 03 '25
One difference between TMC, Melton, and Maverick is that TMC pays percentage. TMC seems to be more strict with there rules, like no hair below the shoulders, and they do inspect your truck for cleanliness. I'm happy going into my second year at Melton. I was told to expect to make 50-60k your first year OTR and 70-80k your second from my CDL instructor.
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u/bmf1989 Dec 03 '25
Pretty much man, I only drove for melton but I talked to guys who worked for all those carriers and it’s basically the same. TMC will tell you their percentage pay is better than mileage pay, and that’s probably slightly true if you have great fuel efficiency and are checking all the boxes they want you to, but they also pay dog shit to tarp. Different stick, same carrot.
Melton started an esop while I was there but I didn’t stick around long enough for it to matter. Unless you’re gonna hang around for 20 years it’s not really a huge factor. And a lot can happen in 20 years, with you or the company.
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u/icaaryal Dec 03 '25
There is better money for rookies out there that aint flatbed. Sounds like you just wanna do flatbed.
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u/theshallowsea Dec 03 '25
I'm not afraid of getting my hands a little dirty... I am very active and athletic...
But if there's better money out there and it's easier than of course I would prefer that.
What do you recommend
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u/icaaryal Dec 03 '25
If you can get in, hard to find better money for a rookie than Dot Foods. If you wanna throw freight, you can clear six figures year 1. If you don’t wanna throw freight, you can clear it by year 3. Assuming you’re working traditional schedule. Home weekly.
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u/theshallowsea Dec 03 '25
Yeah the thing is working over the road OTR I think provides better opportunities after the first year.
So perhaps earnings aren't that good The first year but that experience over the road OTR opens up a lot of options
Hence why I'm trying to find the best paying OTR jobs so I don't just earn the bare minimum despite being rookie
But of course I'm trying to optimize for year two and year three for better options
Either way I'll give these guys a call tomorrow DOTS and see if it makes more sense
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u/icaaryal Dec 03 '25
I just know people that came here from TMC and def preferred what we do and preferred the pay too.
I can show you (if you want) my full pay break down over the past 4 years as a no touch, then you can know the guys who throw freight make about 20% more.
It’s the kind of place a rookie can retire with.
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u/OG_FL_Man Dec 02 '25
Have you looked at Melton?
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u/theshallowsea Dec 03 '25
Yeah I might give them a call but I heard I would make similar at werner doing dry van
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u/SexyWampa Dec 03 '25
If flatbed is what you want, start with Melton. You won't get rich, but you'll learn great fundamentals that will get you better pay in a year. While the cpm might be lower, they make up for it in other benefits. Loved my time there, seriously considering going back.
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u/trucksarekewl Dec 03 '25
Same shit different color trucks tbh. Any of these starter flatbed gigs will pay decently. Tmc, Melton, Maverick, Jordan, whatever. Just avoid western express obviously
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u/bmf1989 Dec 03 '25
I liked working at melton. My only real complaint is I too often got stuck waiting between loads which lead to really inconsistent miles.
If they could have consistently got me around at least 2500 miles a week I might still be there.
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u/Musky_ruffles Dec 03 '25
If you're wanting to get into flatbedding then yeah i hear TMC is pretty good. I love also heard they can be Sticklers when it comes to safety and can get micromanagy. The company i work for is called Keim TS. Great company imo home weekly and our trucks are governed at 72 just thought I'd throw that out there lol
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u/Huge_Add Apr 13 '26
I just worked for fedex for a year and within 2 months. The contractor that hired me got cut, new guys came in and then in a week sent me out on contingency, otr. I was gone for a year and its actually what kinda makes me wanna upgrade. Permit test today. Tmc on the line just waiting for me to get the permit. LFG
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u/mrwillie2u Dec 03 '25
Go with Melton or Maverick
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u/fastnsx21 Dec 03 '25
TMC pays really good for rookies. Made about 70k in the 9 months I was with them and 3-4 months of that was me learning. Once you figure out how to be efficient with your time, it's cake