When you are starting off as a driver, you may be interested to know which companies pay the most for their truckers. Trucking companies can offer a wide variety of benefits for new drivers as well as those who have extensive experience. Some of these benefits can range from paid vacation time to regular weekend home time. It is important to see what companies offer attractive compensation packages despite one’s experience level. Here are some top picks for best driver pay, to earn an excellent truck driver salary, along with their benefits.
Quicklook: Best Paying Trucking Companies
- Best for Retention: Artur Express- Match Now
- Best For Home Time: Fraley & Schilling – Match Now
- Best For New Trucks: Roehl Transport – Quick Apply
- Best For High Starting Salary: Hight Logistics – Match Now
- Best For Paid Orientation: Shoreside Logistics – Match Now
- Best For Safety: GP Transco – Match Now
6 Best Paying Trucking Companies
These trucking companies pay significantly above average truck driver salary or industry averages. Drivers can expect competitive pay increases with years of experience. Here are some of our top picks:
Artur Express
Artur Express is a nationwide transportation company that prides itself on taking care of their drivers. Hence, the company’s tagline is “The Truckers’ Company”. As one of the most hands-on companies with its drivers, Artur Express provides a wide variety of benefits for their drivers that spans from cash advances to pet friendly policies. Artur Express additionally works on a pay scale system where the more miles you drive the more money you make. Additionally, it provides a multitude of opportunities for those operating in various regions.
Best For: Retention
Established: 1998
Location: Hazelwood, MO
Employees: 153
Carrier Type:
- Dry Van
- Reefer
Services Provided:
- Long Haul
- Regional
Salary Scale: Pay is a set by a point system on how many miles you take on as well as the region you are traveling in and what type of vehicle you are driving.
Benefits:
- W2 Employee
- 401k match
- Weekly pay
- Health, vision, and dental insurance
- Pet friendly
- Cash advances
Indeed Employee Ratings: 3.1/5 stars with 49 reviews
Fraley & Schilling
Fraley & Schilling is based in Rushville, Indiana. Founded in 1955, Fraley & Schilling has over 550 trucks in their fleet. They pride themselves on innovation, industry-leading hometime, and premium pay for drivers. 98% of their drivers are home on the weekends. This is a good starting point for trucking driver jobs with a flexible, percentage pay structure.
Best For: Home Time
Established: 1955
Location: 1920 IN-3, Rushville, IN 46173
Employees: 300
Carrier Type:
- Dry Van
- Flatbed Heavy Specialized
- Intermodal Drayage
- Tank Bulk
Services Provided:
- Long Haul
- Regional
Salary Scale: Pay is a set percentage for different types of trucks, so it does not increase linearly by year, but drivers earn more than average.
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Paid holidays
- 401(k)
- Long- and short-term disability insurance
- Health, vision, and dental insurance
- Late model equipment
- Lease to purchase program
Indeed Employee Ratings: 3.6/5 stars with 108 reviews
Roehl Transport
Roehl Transport, based in Marshfield, Wisconsin, has over 2,200 trucks in its fleet. They offer tuition-free CDL training to drivers joining their fleet. Experienced drivers choose Roehl Transport for the consistent miles, pay, and home time. Top of the line trucks offer greater comfort and safety, and they even have automatic transmissions.
Best For: New Trucks
Established: 1962
Location: 1916 East 29th Street Marshfield, WI 54449
Employees: 2,950 employees
Carrier Type:
- Dry Van
- Flatbed
- Heavy
- Specialized
- Refrigerated
- Curtainside
- Dedicated
Services Provided:
- Long-Haul
- Regional Service
- Refrigerated
- Dedicated
Salary Scale:
- Yearly Pay (< 1 years): $50,000
- Yearly Pay (1-3 years): $65,000
- Yearly Pay (4-10 years): $75,000
- Yearly Pay (> 10 years): $80,000
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Accident and injury insurance
- Paid time off
- 401(k)
Indeed Employee Ratings: 3.1/5 stars with 592 reviews
Hight Logistics
Hight Logistics, based in Long Beach, California, offers salaries well above industry average. They are specialized in port drayage, and they also offer over-road trucking and warehousing. This small family-owned business has a fleet of 50 trucks and works with a network of nationwide carriers. This is one of the best trucking companies to work for with no experience or for new drivers.
Best For: High starting salary
Established: 2012
Location: 1661 E 32nd St, Long Beach, CA 90807
Employees: Less than 25 employees
Carrier Type:
- Green carriers
- Flatbed carriers
- Over the Road
Services Provided:
- Warehousing
- Transloads
- Cross Dock
- Tri-Axle Fleet
- Over the Road
- Container Storage
Salary Scale:
- Yearly Pay (< 1 years): $75,000
- Yearly Pay (1-3 years): $100,000
- Yearly Pay (4-10 years): $125,000
- Yearly Pay (> 10 years): $150,000
Benefits:
- 401(k)
Indeed Employee Ratings: Not currently rated on Indeed.com
Shoreside Logistics
Based in Jacksonville, Shoreside Logistics serves the ports of Jacksonville and Palm Beach, Florida. While their reviews on Indeed.com aren’t great, they only represent a small sample size. Shoreside Logistics has a fleet of over 250 trucks, and the company is investing in new vehicles to update the fleet while improving driver comfort and safety.
Best For: Paid Orientation
Established: 2002
Location: 11637 Camden Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32218
Employees: 74 employees
Carrier Type:
- Flatbeds
- Vans
- Containers
- HAZMAT permitted
- Heavy haul permitted
- Overweight
- Residential deliveries
Services Provided:
- Drayage
- Trucking
- Intermodal
- Cross-docking
- Warehousing
- Consolidation
- Customers brokerage services
- Regional
- Dedicated
- Local
- Long-haul
Salary Scale:
- Yearly Pay (< 1 years): $55,000
- Yearly Pay (1-3 years): $55,000
- Yearly Pay (4-10 years): $70,000
- Yearly Pay (> 10 years): $90,000
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid orientation
- Consistent miles
For independent contractors:
- Flexible home time
- Fuel discounts
- Maintenance shop labor discounts
- Competitive pay
Indeed Employee Ratings: 2.7/5 stars with 6 reviews
GP Transco
Based in Joliet, Illinois, GP Transco prioritizes driver safety and industry innovation. They are dedicated to exceptional service both for customers and drivers while taking steps towards environmental conservation. GP Transco aims to be a modern company.
Best For: Safety
Established: 2006
Location: 3200 Channahon Rd, Joliet, IL 60436
Employees:
- 169 full-time employees
- 522 drivers
Carrier Type:
- Flatbed
- Truckload
- Refrigerated
- Dry Van
- Reefer
- Lift-Gate
Services Provided:
- Full Truckload
- Dedicated
- OTR
- Long haul
Salary Scale:
- Yearly Pay (< 1 years): $82,000
- Yearly Pay (1-3 years): $86,000
- Yearly Pay (4-10 years): $90,000
- Yearly Pay (> 10 years): $110,000
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Free dental insurance
- Free vision insurance
- Free life insurance
- Long- and short-term disability
- 401(k) with 4% match
- Base pay 25% higher than industry average
Indeed Employee Ratings: 3.9/5 stars with 51 reviews
Which Trucking Company Is Best For You?
These are some of the best paying trucking companies for new drivers to experienced ones. When looking for a company that is the best fit for you, analyze what compensation amount is realistic and what opportunities the company provides. Moreover, look for a company that has a clear payscale and benefits package.
While the best company will vary for each driver, trucking companies that prioritize driver’s safety, comfort, and well-being are better choices long-term.These companies also often offer competitive pay and benefits.
Truck drivers can find the best jobs nationwide with FreightWaves’ complete pay scale listing of the top 500 companies to work for.
FAQ
Some of the highest-paid trucking companies include Big Ass Freight, Manchester Freight, Hight Logistics, and Frayley & Schilling. These, along with the other companies listed here, offer drivers excellent opportunities for advancement.
Yes, a truck driver can make more than $100,000 per year. Earning potential is affected by company location, driver’s record and years of experience. How much do truck drivers make an hour? That varies, but it can add up to $100,000 or more per year with experience and the right company.
The best trucking company to work for is different for each driver. Company size, payment package and benefit, and company culture can all influence how much a driver likes a particular company. The proximity to a driver’s home is also often an important consideration. Many prefer local trucking jobs. For these reasons, different trucking companies can be the best for each driver.
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