Owner operators, or long haul drivers, drive vehicles that have a minimum of 26,001 pounds gross vehicle weight. They are responsible for hauling various products and goods across long distances by a certain deadline. These truck drivers lease or own their own vehicles. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics groups them in with truck drivers, heavy and tractor trailer. The pay for this field varies with the type of industry and area worked.

Earnings at the National Level

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that these drivers earned a mean annual income of $39,450 and an hourly rate of $18.97 in 2010. Those in the 90th percentile earned at or above $57,480 annually and $27.64 per hour, while those in the 50th percentile earned at or below $37,770 a year and $18.16 per hour. Those in the 10th percentile earned at or below $24,730 a year and $11.89 per hour in 2010.

Earnings by Industry

The postal service offered the highest mean annual salary of $54,040 and $25.98 per hour in 2010. Couriers and express delivery services were paid the second highest mean annual rate of $53,900 and $25.92 per hour in the same year. Spectator sports offered the third highest mean yearly salary at $51,530 and $24.77 per hour. Household appliance manufacturing offered the fourth highest mean yearly pay at $50,920 and $24.48 per hour in 2010.

Earnings by State

The state of Alaska offered the highest mean annual salary of $48,250 and $23.20 in 2010. Nevada had the second highest mean annual rate of $46,470 and $22.34 per hour, while New Jersey offered the third highest at $43,860 per year and $21.09 per hour. Massachusetts had the fourth highest mean yearly compensation at $43,670 and $21 per hour. New York paid the fifth highest with a mean annual rate of $43,380 and $20.86 per hour in 2010.

Earnings by Larger Urban Areas

Fairbanks, Alaska paid the mean highest annual salary of $53,170 and an hourly rate of $25.56 in 2010. Danville, Illinois offered these professionals the second highest mean annual salary of $52,320 and $25.15 per hour in the same year. Racine, Wisconsin paid the third highest mean annual salary at $50,470 and $24.26 per hour. Grand Rapids and Wyoming, Michigan paid the fourth highest mean annual salary at $48,500 a year and $23.32 per hour in 2010.