Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to improving maximum transmit power in multi-carrier reverse-link transmission. In one aspect, a method of carrier management for a multi-carrier reverse link transmission is disclosed. A method can include transmitting a reverse link signal on a plurality of carriers, and the reverse link signal including payload data and overhead data. A method can funnel payload data onto a first carrier of the plurality of carriers, while maintaining transmission of the overhead data on all the carriers of the plurality of carriers. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.