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Lesson 2 — How You Get Paid — Flat Rate vs. Cents Per Mile

Two common pay models. Compare both against the miles you actually expect to run.

A highway forking two ways, signposts reading Flat and Per Mile — the two common ways team miles turn into pay.
Two ways team miles turn into pay: a guaranteed weekly floor, or a set rate per mile. Which pays more depends on the miles you run.

Two common models

Most team offers use one of two pay structures. Read both, then compare them against the miles you realistically expect — that is the only way to know which one pays you more.

Option 1 — the flat / guaranteed model

You are paid a set amount per driver for a baseline number of miles each week — a floor you get even if the miles run light — plus a per-mile rate on every team mile above that baseline. The strength here is the floor: a slow week still pays. For example, an offer might guarantee $2,000 per driver for up to 6,000 miles, then add $0.80 per mile for the team on miles above that. Ask what the guaranteed amount is, how many miles it covers, and the rate above it.

Option 2 — the cents-per-mile (CPM) model

Every mile is paid at a set team rate, split between the two drivers, with no floor and no ceiling. Run more miles, earn more; run fewer, earn less. For example, at $0.80 per mile split, a team running 6,000 miles earns about $2,400 each, 6,500 miles about $2,600 each, and 7,000 miles about $2,800 each.

The team split — read this carefully

Pay is often quoted for the truck (both drivers together), then split. A number that looks large may be the team total, not your share. Always ask: is this per driver, or for the truck?

Which one pays more?

It depends on your miles. At lower weekly miles, the guaranteed floor often wins because it protects you on slow weeks. At higher miles, the per-mile option usually pulls ahead because there is no ceiling. Neither is automatically better — it comes down to how many miles the lane actually runs. Ask what a realistic week looks like, then do the math both ways.

Getting paid

Team pay is typically deposited weekly by direct deposit. Confirm the pay week and the payday.

What to ask

  • Is the number you quoted per driver, or for the whole truck?
  • On the flat option: what is the floor, how many miles does it cover, and the rate above it?
  • On CPM: what is the rate, and how is it split between the two of us?
  • What does a realistic week of miles look like on this lane?

📋 Sample Quiz Questions (Preview)

Five questions cover the lesson above. The actual quiz requires a login to record a grade — these previews are open to everyone.

1. What is the main strength of a flat / guaranteed pay model?

✓ It gives you a floor — a slow week still pays a set amount
○ It has no limit on earnings
○ It pays nothing until you hit high miles
○ It avoids all taxes

Why: The guaranteed model protects you on light weeks with a floor, plus a per-mile rate above the baseline.

2. How does the cents-per-mile (CPM) model work on a team?

✓ Every mile is paid at a set rate and split between the two drivers
○ You are paid by the hour
○ You are paid a flat salary regardless of miles
○ Only the lead driver is paid

Why: CPM pays for every mile with no floor and no ceiling, and the team rate is split between the two drivers.

3. A recruiter quotes you a weekly number. What must you confirm?

✓ Whether it is per driver or for the whole truck
○ The color of the truck
○ The brand of fuel card
○ Nothing — the number is always per driver

Why: Pay is often quoted for the truck, then split. A big number may be the team total, not your share. Always ask.

4. When does a guaranteed floor tend to pay more than CPM?

✓ At lower weekly miles, when a slow week would otherwise hurt
○ At very high miles
○ It never pays more
○ Only in winter

Why: At low miles the floor protects you; at high miles CPM usually wins because there is no ceiling. Compare both against realistic miles.

5. How is team pay usually deposited?

✓ Weekly by direct deposit
○ Once a year
○ In cash at the terminal
○ Only after you quit

Why: Team pay is typically weekly direct deposit. Confirm the pay week and payday.

End of preview. The actual quiz requires login to record a grade.

Last modified: Thursday, 25 June 2026, 11:27 PM