Salary of a Truck Driver in Canada

After examining different areas of the transportation industry across Canada, We have collected more details the salary of truck driver in canada within this piece.

Truck Driver Salary in Canada

After examining the steps to becoming a truck driver in our previous article, we will discuss the earnings of truck drivers in Canada. Being a truck driver in Canada allows the driver to explore every corner in the Great White North. First, however, what is the amount truckers make in Canada? A job as a trucker in Canada is an excellent opportunity to earn a decent wage and is a great job choice for someone new to Canada.

How much do truckers earn in Canada?

If they have the right experience and qualifications, A trucker could find employment almost anywhere in Canada and earn an annual salary between $48,750 and 82,875 Canadian dollars.

The pay is contingent on other aspects like the skill or education level, working experience, ability to communicate in English and French, and the province they are planning to work.

The median pay for truck drivers working in Canada is $49,718 each year (or $25.50 for an hour). Beginning salaries start at CAD 34,125 for a year. Additionally, our reports show that the lack of truck driver positions in Canada has grown in the last year. Experts have predicted that Canada will have a shortage of 25000 truck driving jobs in 2023. That means that truck drivers are highly sought-after. In addition, truck drivers’ unemployment in Canada was 3.3 percent in 2020, which is much less than the national unemployment rate of 5.8 percent at the same time. Below is the average pay for truck drivers across the provinces of Canada.

Province

The average salary (CAD)

Alberta

$54,151

Ontario

$47,482

British Columbia

$48,905

Saskatchewan

$49,101

Northwest Territories

$52,650

Best Semi Trucks in Canada

Canada is a land of many geographies. The topography is diverse, ranging from a rugged west coast, through plain central prairie, to the forested plains in the east and even to North Canada, which is completely frozen. It has borders with the U.S.A. in the north and south. Trucks operating in this region must be reliable and capable of adapting to each nation (if working in both). Below are some of the most trustworthy commercial truck brands that any owner or operator of a large fleet should take into consideration:

Volvo

One of Canada’s most renowned commercial truck manufacturers, Volvo, owns 13.9 percent of the nation’s market share for commercial trucks. With the evolving market trends, Volvo has consistently focused on the latest innovations, including autonomous and electric vehicles. In addition, Volvo has developed connectivity through telematics data that lets its semi-trucks communicate with one another when they travel.

The cabin interiors are comfy, while the car is simple to drive. Volvo trucks are perfect for truckers operating over the roads since most new models have remote diagnostics capabilities. If the driver experiences issues during their journey or the trip, the Windows application allows fleet owners to pinpoint the issue and conduct tests at their home base.

International

For 2018, international trucks accounted for 36 percent of Canada’s Class7 truck sales. The most trusted commercial truck manufacturer, International, has been actively trying to increase fuel efficiency and uptime for vehicles by 2020. In 2020, the 2020 International L.T.L.T. Series aimed to improve the aerodynamics of vehicles. This is accomplished through reducing (or decreasing) the gap between tractor and trailer, as well as improving the roof fairings with other modifications that are made externally. In addition, it is designed to improve fuel efficiency by 8.2 percent, thus reducing the operating costs of fuel.

Freightliner

With over 75 years of developing heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles, Freightliner is an excellent business with the Detroit powertrain. It controls how the truck’s engine, axles, transmission, and transmission work as a unified system that increases the efficiency of vehicles. Freightliner trucks have better uptimes when paired with security features such as a camera mounted on the windshield. It helps fleet managers to ensure their fleet is operating without a hitch.

The company is currently looking for ways to reduce the emission of trucks. The company hopes to accomplish the goal by changing two semi-trucks to diesel engines instead of hydrogen fuel cells.

Peterbilt

Peterbilt trucks are among the most comfortable vehicles, which makes them an ideal option for long-haul travelers. It utilizes SmartAir to reduce fuel consumption and keep drivers comfortable sitting in the vehicle. In addition, Smartling remote diagnostics ensure that drivers are secure on the road. It can identify and fix problems and allows trucks to return to the road as quickly as possible.

Peterbilt is synonymous with semi-trucks. However, by 2020, Peterbilt is planning to begin the sale of electric vehicles in a limited manner. At the moment, sixteen electric Peterbilts are in operation. The number will be gradually increased to 36.

Mack

He has been making commercial vehicles for over 100 years and sells these trucks across 45 countries. Mack is the biggest producer of class 8 vehicles in North America and expects to sell more than 310,000 Class 8 trucks in Canada and the U.S.A. in 2020.

Mack trucks are ideal for fleets that work across different climate zones. The batteries that are used in these trucks are absorbent Glass Mat batteries. These batteries are made to deal with temperature variations, making this truck an ideal option for operation in Canada. In addition, the truck’s design maximizes its fuel consumption efficiency. A majority of Mack trucks run on natural gas in place of diesel.

Kenworth

Like Peterbilt, Kenworth has also been working on developing Class 8 commercial trucks that operate using hydrogen fuel cells. Kenworth joined forces in 2019 with Toyota to upgrade all 10 T680 Class 8 truck models to operate using hydrogen fuel cells with zero emissions. These T680 trucks are one of those with the highest aerodynamic performance commercial vehicles. Alongside a comfortable sleeper cab, the infotainment, as well as navigation systems of these trucks, are among the best.

To learn more about all the trucking brands mentioned above, look at our article about 6 Top Semi Truck Brands for Owner Operators.

Where can I find a quality commercial truck for sale in Canada?

As great as the trucks are, commercial trucks are also one of the most significant investments in the trucking industry. Therefore, a used truck could reduce the initial cost.

When you are looking to purchase a used truck, it is crucial to determine what the business needs for the truck are. In addition to the needs and budget, however, there are additional factors to take into consideration before buying a used vehicle:

Maintenance, history, and checks for accidents

Before going through the car’s past, it’s essential to know why the owner chose to sell the vehicle. This can assist in identifying any issues that may not be in the maintenance records or other documents. If all appears in order, the next step should be to look over the maintenance and repair records to determine the car’s condition.

Check the records of oil checks carefully reviewed. Regular oil changes are helpful in the prevention of engine issues shortly.

Check if the vehicle has been involved in an incident. If it was, look at the following:

1. What type of collision or accident was the truck involved?

2. Damage extent.

3. What parts were replaced due to the damages?

Quality Checks

Check for physical damage, such as rust on surfaces on the outside and inside the vehicle. Another thing to look out for is any scratches on the painted surfaces, particularly in the area of the roof. They are a sign of rust beneath. It is a given; don’t overlook physical damage if it occurs.

Mileage checks

The mileage is an excellent indicator of the vehicle’s overall condition when paired with other elements. In addition, the information about the engine’s model will allow you to determine the point at which an engine repair may be needed.

Checks on the towing capacity and horsepower

Examine the engine’s horsepower and capacities for towing your truck to see if it can meet the requirements for towing required by the company. For example, suppose your company is involved in construction equipment that tows, such as excavators. In that case, you may not require the exact amount of horsepower you’d need for trailer towing over long distances.

Every purchase of a truck is crucial, and these tests can help in the maintenance that will be required for the truck.

What are the biggest trucking firms in Canada?

In 2018 The Canadian trucking industry raked in annual revenue of $39.55 billion (CAD) from nearly 63.7 million in shipping. Smaller firms tend to operate in the areas closest to their base of operations. However, larger companies are typically involved in various operations throughout the United States that can enhance the driver’s learning experience. In addition, a more extensive fleet will likely be more efficient, with a higher pay rate, better equipment or trucks, and other perks and benefits a trucking firm could provide.

We’ve collected a handful of the largest trucking firms across Canada below:

T.F.I. International Inc.

Formerly it was previously known as Cabano, Kingsway, TransForce, T.F.I. International Inc. is a transportation and logistics firm headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. It is a significant player throughout Canada via four different business divisions that provide services for truckloads, LTL, dedicated contract intermodal shipments, expedited shipments, temperature-controlled hauling, bulk shipments, tankers, and warehousing.

T.F.I. International Inc. has achieved its distinction in the logistics and transport industry by granting its affiliates autonomy. The approach allows the catering of each subsidiary to the local markets while also giving T.F.I. International Inc. access to larger markets.

It’s the most significant portion of the Canadian LTL business, also known as the lower-than-load business. The business of less-than-load, also known in the industry as less-than-truckload shipping, is transporting relatively small amounts of cargo. It also has the largest trucking fleet.

The year 2009 was the first time T.F.I. International Inc. established its operations across the United States by acquiring Dynamex for $248 million. In twelve months, Dynamex made about a quarter that was as T.F.I. International, about $418 million in revenues.

It employs about 17,500 people. Its T.F.I. International Inc. fleet comprises:

2,209 trucks

6,578 tractor

26,581 trailers

8,568 OO

Note that these figures are estimates.

Mullen Group

Nowadays, as one of the biggest trucking firms in Canada, Mullen Group started with a modest 1949 Chevrolet Maple Leaf. Rolland Mullen was a gravel hauler in his early days, and by the mid-century, he was hauling three trucks. Currently, Mullen owns shares in several trucking companies, like S. Krulicki & Sons Ltd, which operates under the brand names Winnipeg Moving & Storage and Brandon Moving, R.D.K. Transportation Co. Inc. These brand names offer logistics and transportation services throughout Canada and the Continental United States.

Mullen’s LTL segment is based in the western part of Canada and Ontario, which extends to Ontario and western Canada, which extends into the United States. It provides more than 3 million consumer goods to 5,500 communities every year. The company’s primary goal is to deliver ambient or temperature-controlled services, along with package and pharmaceutical delivery capabilities. The warehouse and logistics segment offers services across North America. The various network of transload facilities and terminals offers safe and reliable cargo transportation using various transportation services. The services offered by the Mullen Group include full truckload, special transport, intermodal, and transload.

It employs about 4,709 people. Mullen Group employs approximately 4,709. Mullen Group fleet has:

1,515 trucks

3,372 tractor

8,537 trailers

1,099 OO

Note Figures are estimated.

Day & Ross

Like the Mullen Group, Day & Ross began with a humble start. It was established around 1950 the year 1950 by Elbert Day and Walter Ross in Hartland, New Brunswick. It was among the initial cargoes to be handled was one truckload of potatoes during the 1950s. By 1966, it had become an all-owned affiliate of McCain Foods Limited. It has also expanded throughout North America through growth and acquisitions like Sameday Worldwide, R.E.I., Stonehammer Transport Inc., and A&S Kinard and Buckler Transport. Its LTL boasts a national coverage that guarantees delivery services can reach more than 90 percent of the Canadian population. The fleet comprises tailgate drop trailers with dry vans, temperature control, and drayage.

It employs over 8000 employees. Day & Ross employs more than 8,000 people. Day & Ross fleet has:

625 trucks

2,027 tractor

6,070 trailers

1,961 OO

Note Figures are estimated.

Bison Transport

In Winnipeg, Bison Transport was established in 1969 by its owner Duncan M. Jessiman. He is the Chairman and sole shareholder of Bison Transport. The company was founded in 2000 to provide local cartage services to the construction industry. It was later named the catalog business of Eaton and later Sears.

The company has six key terminal hubs across Canada situated within Winnipeg, Mississauga, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, and Langley. It also provides trans-border truckloads across British Columbia through the Maritimes and to 48 U.S.U.S. states.

The company’s divisions include dry van, long-combined vehicle (L.C.V.) intermodal, refrigerated LTL, and Warehousing and Distribution. Additionally, Bison Transport was named the “Best Fleet to drive for in The Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge in 2018.

Note Figures are estimated.