If you are thinking that $625 a week is acceptable, first ask if that is based on a 40 hour week, or would be expected to work more than 40. Remember no benefits, no paid holidays, no sick days. If $625 a week is okay for 40 hours, what about 50-60? I had rural routes that took 10 hours regularly, and as many as 14 during peak. It didn't make sense to send two vehicles, but I made sure that I paid extra, and/or gave the driver a day off. It is illegal to pay less than minimum wage and no overtime after 40 hours. But if you pay by the day, at $11 an hour, an 11 hour day would be about the $125. So instead of a $15+ an hour, you could be looking at an $11 an hour job in reality. Some drivers need to load their own trucks- and some owners don't want to count that.