Owner-Operator Profit Calculator
See what one truck really earns in a month — after fuel, dispatch or factoring fees, maintenance and fixed costs — and the gross it needs just to break even.
Quarterly estimated tax payments are due Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15 and Jan 15 — your checklist tracks them. Build my checklist
How profit per truck is calculated
Profit = gross revenue − percentage fees − fuel − maintenance − fixed costs.
Fuel = miles ÷ mpg × diesel price. Percentage fees are whatever comes off the top: a dispatcher's cut, factoring, or the percentage your carrier keeps under a lease.
Break-even gross is the revenue where profit is exactly zero. If a truck sits under it month after month, it's costing you money to run.
Questions truckers ask
How much does an owner-operator actually make?
Take-home varies enormously with lanes, rates, fuel and the truck note. The honest answer is your gross minus fuel, fees, maintenance and fixed costs — which is exactly what this calculator shows. Run it with last month's real numbers.
Is this profit before or after taxes?
Before income tax. Self-employed owner-operators usually pay income and self-employment tax through quarterly estimated payments (due Apr 15, Jun 15, Sep 15 and Jan 15). The set-aside field lets you put your own estimate aside; confirm the right amount with a tax professional.
How do I compare trucks in a small fleet?
Run the calculator once per truck with that truck's own revenue, miles and costs. Fleet totals can hide one truck that's losing money every month.
Estimates for planning only — not tax, legal or financial advice.