Are you considering becoming a truck driver? Right now is the best time to start, as many of the best companies for truck drivers are experiencing a shortage and massively hiring. But first, you must, of course, be a qualified truck driver who can handle the huge freight demand.
In this article, you will find some highest-paying truck driver companies where you can make your career goals happen. We’ll dive into all the pros of being a truck driver, but you must also weigh the cons of this job through employee reviews that we included below. If you are interested to learn more about becoming a truck driver, read on.
What Is a Truck Driver?
A truck driver is a person who earns a living by driving a truck that transports goods over land, working at any time of the day or night. They usually work with retail and distribution centers and manufacturing companies, providing a range of services to the industrial community. Truck drivers typically drive long distances continuously for about two to three weeks.
A trucking job is not for everyone. However, for someone who loves to drive and doesn’t mind being away from home, it is a great way to earn a living. A truck driver enjoys their job of being on the road most of the time. As such, they must also have the ability to inspect their vehicles’ mechanical conditions for a long, safe trip.
How to Get a Truck Driver Job
There are a few requirements to consider when pursuing a career in the trucking industry. These requirements ensure that professional truck drivers have sufficient capability and discipline to handle their jobs. Below is a step-by-step process of the requirements and steps to becoming a truck driver with the largest trucking companies.
- Pass the regular driver’s license exam. First, potential truck drivers need a regular driver’s license. Once that’s obtained, the next step is to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL). State fees for the initial driver’s exam usually range from $20 to $90.
- Complete high school or earn a GED. Most trucking companies require their drivers to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Having one of these will increase an applicant’s chances of landing a job.
- Start professional training for truck driving. CDL exam training programs are available at places such as a community college, driving school, or trucking company. The programs use professionals to teach CDL skills and other credentials. They can last up to a year and range from $1,000 to $10,000 in cost.
- Obtain a CDL and other endorsements. After your training, a CDL is a must-have for any truck driver. CDL exams usually incur other fees on top of the license fee itself, which ranges from $20 to $120. Aside from a CDL, applicants might also need endorsements that indicate what they can legally transport.
- Network to land a job. The ability to leverage a network is a valuable skill. Networking isn’t necessary to land a job, but having someone to provide a solid reference or open doors at a trucking company is crucial.
Top 10 Highest-Paying Truck Driver Companies
| Company | Salary for Truck Drivers |
|---|---|
| Walmart | $91,778 |
| Sysco | $79,007 |
| Knight Transportation | $77,021 |
| Brady Trucking | $76,478 |
| Crete Carrier | $70,122 |
| TMC Transportation | $69,427 |
| UPS | $68,342 |
| Werner Enterprises | $65,088 |
| Roehl Transport | $65,088 |
| J.B. Hunt Transport | $62,832 |
Walmart
Walmart is one of the most well-known companies in the world. It is an American multinational retail corporation, with numerous department stores, grocery stores, and convenience stores worldwide. The company’s size and scope mean it has a wide range of roles to fill, from cashiers to marketing agents to truck drivers.
What Does Walmart Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, Walmart truck drivers have an average base salary of $91,778 per year. They also have an additional pay average of $3,846. Walmart is one of the highest, if not the highest-paying company for truck drivers.
Walmart Reviews
On Glassdoor, Walmart has an overall rating of 3.3 out of five stars. Positive reviews speak of good pay, excellent benefits, and flexible hours. Critical reviews mention long hours, needing improvement in management, and somewhat low pay for the more mundane jobs, such as cashiers.
Sysco
Sysco is a multinational wholesale truck company responsible for distributing food to some of the big restaurants in the world. Because it is responsible for merchandise distribution, Sysco is always in need of company drivers. Sysco also has a variety of roles to fill, such as sales roles and IT specialist roles.
What Does Sysco Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, Sysco provides its truck drivers with an average annual salary of $79,007. On top of the attractive salary are excellent benefits, such as health insurance. Sysco offers a competitive salary and has many trucking career options. These are some of the it is one of the best companies for experienced drivers.
Sysco Reviews
On Glassdoor, Sysco has a rating of 3.4 out of five stars. Positive comments speak of great benefits and pay, as well as the opportunity to work with an industry leader. Critical reviews mentioned somewhat long work hours and improvements that needed to be made in upper management.
Knight Transportation
Knight Transportation is one of the best transportation companies in the industry. It offers a range of services from flatbed to refrigerated, so each driver’s type of truck work can vary. In this company, there are many job opportunities for truck drivers.
What Does Knight Transportation Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, Knight Transportation truck drivers have an average salary of $77,021, per year. It also provides various benefits for its employees, including medical coverage, personal injury protection, and more.
Knight Transportation Reviews
On Glassdoor, Knight Transportation has a rating of 3.5 out of five stars. Positive comments speak of a great work setup and company culture. Critical reviews mentioned long work hours, especially during holidays.
Brady Trucking
Brady Trucking has been in the trucking services industry since 1980 and is one of the safest and most reliable truckload carriers in the US. It provides a wide range of transportation solutions locally and regionally, such as long-haul trucking services and customer-tailored solutions. The company is continuously hiring drivers.
What Does Brady Trucking Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, Brady Trucking drivers have an average competitive salary of $76,478, per year. It also provides various benefits to its employees such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) with Brady match, and a 401(k) with Brady match.
Brady Trucking Reviews
On Glassdoor, Brady Trucking has a rating of 4.3 out of five stars. Positive comments speak of the company’s great work culture and contagious, positive atmosphere. At the time this article is being written, there are no negative reviews.
Crete Carrier
Crete Carrier has been in business for 50 years, starting as a family-owned company in Crete, Nebraska. Since then, Crete Carrier has served customers across the country daily, with a commitment to deliver each load safely and in a timely fashion. The company creates opportunities for drivers and supports them to succeed.
What Does Crete Carrier Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, Crete Carrier truck drivers have a competitive salary average of $70,122, per year. It also provides various benefits for its employees, such as health, dental, and disability insurance, to mention a few.
Crete Carrier Reviews
On Glassdoor, Crete Carrier has a rating of 3.6 out of five stars. Positive comments about the trucking company speak of good pay, a laid-back workplace, and proper employee treatment. On the other hand, critical reviews mentioned having to be away from home for long periods of time.
TMC Transportation
Another big name in the industry, TMC Transportation, is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. It is one of the industry’s premier flatbed carriers, known for integrity, innovation, highly-trained drivers, and an unwavering dedication to quality and customer service. The company has many job openings for drivers, maintenance personnel, and IT workers.
What Does TMC Transportation Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, TMC Transportation truck drivers have an average salary of $69,427, per year. It also provides various benefits for its employees such as health and wellness insurance. TMC Transportation is an employee-owned company where all employees contribute to and benefit from its success.
TMC Transportation Reviews
On Glassdoor, TMC Transportation is rated 3.8 out of five stars. Positive comments speak of great pay and benefits, an employee-owned company, and workers being home every weekend. Critical reviews mentioned limited trucking career advancement opportunities.
UPS
UPS is among the world’s largest package delivery companies. It is one of the “World’s Most Admired” companies and No. one in the delivery industry as rated by Fortune magazine. Employees at UPS work flexible hours and enjoy good pay, with various job opportunities for qualified drivers and their warehouses.
What Does UPS Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, UPS truck drivers earn an average salary of $68,342, per year. It also has a wide range of insurance and health and wellness benefits for its employees, in addition to the base pay. There are numerous job openings for drivers and office personnel in UPS.
UPS Reviews
On Glassdoor, UPS has a rating of 3.5 out of five stars. Positive comments speak of good pay and great benefits. Critical reviews mention long hours and very hard work.
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Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises is an American transportation and logistics company with more than 8,000 trucks, 24,000 trailers, and nearly 13,000 employees. It services all of North America and is a prominent name in the transportation industry.
What Does Werner Enterprises Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, Werner Enterprises truck drivers make an average annual salary of $65,088 with additional pay of about $1,864. Werner Enterprises compensates its truck drivers well, along with various benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.
Werner Enterprises Reviews
On Glassdoor, Werner Enterprises has a rating of 3.6 out of five stars. Positive reviews speak of a good overall experience, decent pay, impressive facilities, and a solid company. On the other hand, many reviews cite long hours and changing compensation rates, each year.
Roehl transport
Roehl Transport is one of the largest trucking companies in North America, and it offers a wide range of transportation and logistics services. There are a lot of career prospects for professional truck drivers at this company.
What Does Roehl Transport Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, Roehl Transport Truck Drivers earn an annual average of $65,088. Drivers also receive additional benefits such as health insurance. Hence, professional truck drivers can find a satisfying career in this company.
Roehl Transport Reviews
On Glassdoor, Roehl Transport has an overall rating of 3.6 out of five stars. Positive reviews speak of excellent equipment, fleet managers, good training, and a safety-oriented company. Critical reviews speak of somewhat low pay at the beginning and occasional long hours.
J.B. Hunt Transport
J.B. Hunt Transport is one of the most prominent transportations and logistics companies. It’s the 80th-largest trucking firm in the US and is currently based in Lowell, Arkansas.
What Does J.B. Hunt Transport Pay Its Truck Drivers?
According to Glassdoor, J.B. Hunt Transport pays its truck drivers a base pay average of $63,348, per year. Aside from that, truck drivers also receive health insurance, a 401k plan, and other job benefits. J.B. Hunt Transport is one of the best companies for truck drivers.
J.B. Hunt Transport Reviews
On Glassdoor, J.B. Hunt Transport has been rated 3.7 out of five stars. Most positive reviews speak of good pay and benefits, as well as a great working environment with room to grow. Critical reviews involve somewhat long hours and suggested improvements in upper management.
Why You Should Become a Truck Driver in 2023
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the truck-driving industry will grow by a projected six percent from 2020 to 2030. There are high numbers of job openings for truck drivers as the demand for goods increases. Truck drivers are the prime factor in keeping the supply moving.
You will enjoy many perks of being a professional truck driver. People entering the field can make good money, as is evident with the salaries listed in this article. Commercial truck drivers often enjoy competitive wages and good benefits. If you’re serious about a rewarding job, consider a truck driving career.
Best Companies for Truck Drivers FAQ
Flatbed trucking companies handle oversized cargo. They use heavy equipment and specialize in transporting and providing logistical solutions to large corporations, aiding them in their huge freights.
Yes, as long as you meet the requirements. Those interested in the field must obtain a CDL before applying to work in the trucking industry.
There is no special certification required to be a professional truck driver, but job seekers must have a valid standard driver’s license and the aforementioned CDL. Also, most companies prefer truck drivers to have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
A bachelor’s degree might be required to qualify for driving a dump truck, although it’s possible to become a dump truck driver even with just a high school diploma or GED.
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