How Much Can a New Authority Make Per Week?

One of the most common questions new MC authority holders ask is "How much can I actually make?" The honest answer is that it depends—on your equipment, lanes, experience, and business decisions. This guide provides realistic expectations and the factors that determine your weekly income potential.

Understanding Gross vs. Net Revenue

Before discussing income potential, it's critical to understand the difference between gross revenue and net profit. Many new authorities get excited about gross numbers without understanding what they'll actually take home.

Gross revenue is the total amount you're paid for hauling freight. Net profit is what remains after paying all expenses. As a business owner, net profit is what actually matters.

Common Operating Expenses:

• Fuel – Often 25-35% of gross revenue
• Insurance – $1,500-$3,000+ monthly for new authorities
• Truck payment – Varies based on equipment
• Maintenance and repairs – Budget 5-10% of revenue
• Dispatch fees – Typically 5-10% if using dispatch services
• Factoring fees – 2-5% if factoring invoices
• Permits, tolls, and scales – Varies by route
• IFTA taxes – Quarterly fuel tax filing

Weekly Revenue Ranges by Equipment Type

Your equipment significantly impacts potential earnings. Here are realistic weekly gross revenue ranges based on equipment type:

Factors That Affect Your Weekly Earnings

1. Miles Driven

More miles generally mean more revenue, but not all miles are profitable. Running 2,500 miles at $2.50/mile beats running 3,000 miles at $1.80/mile. Focus on revenue per mile, not just total miles.

2. Deadhead Miles

Every mile you drive empty costs money without generating revenue. Experienced carriers and dispatch services work to minimize deadhead. Working with our dispatch services helps reduce unproductive miles.

3. Rate Negotiation

Two carriers running the same lane can earn dramatically different amounts based on their negotiation skills. Learning to negotiate or working with dispatchers who negotiate well directly impacts income.

4. Market Conditions

Freight rates fluctuate based on supply and demand. During strong markets, rates increase. During soft markets, finding profitable loads becomes harder. Understanding market cycles helps you plan.

5. Lane Selection

Some lanes consistently pay better than others. Building expertise in high-paying lanes and having backhaul strategies maximizes weekly revenue.

Realistic First-Year Expectations

Your first year as a new authority typically involves a learning curve. Many carriers report lower earnings initially as they:

• Build broker relationships
• Learn which loads are profitable
• Figure out their best lanes
• Understand true operating costs
• Develop efficient business systems

Working with experienced dispatchers through our new authority support program can compress this learning curve, helping you reach profitability faster.

How to Maximize Your Weekly Income

1. Know your numbers – Calculate your cost per mile and never accept loads below that threshold
2. Minimize downtime – Plan ahead so you're never sitting without a load lined up
3. Work with quality dispatch – Experienced dispatchers find better-paying loads and negotiate higher rates
4. Build lane expertise – Focus on lanes you know well rather than chasing random loads
5. Manage expenses – Fuel planning, preventive maintenance, and smart business decisions add up

Frequently Asked Questions