- May 19, 2025
Truck drivers play a fundamental role in transporting goods around the country. Truck driving involves operating a commercial vehicle that transports goods to a specific destination. Trucking businesses generally operate on behalf of an organization. In general, transportation services are lucrative and there are numerous well-paying positions within the trucking industry. There are also some of the highest-paying truck driving companies that pay drivers based on their experience and the number of miles driven.
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Average Salary for a Truck Driver
The average salary of a truck driver in the United States is around $93,839 per year. The salary they earn can be influenced by several factors, including years of experience and the geographic location where the truck driver operates. Truck drivers can also be paid in various ways, depending on the route type and their operating mode. Solo drivers who work alone and must take time to stop and sleep between shifts to comply with the HOS regulations are paid differently than two drivers taking shifts in driving. Truck drivers can also get paid depending on their route type. For instance, over-the-road drivers who spend weeks on the road, traveling long distances, and making deliveries across countries are generally paid more. Regional drivers who stay within a specific geographic limit are paid differently from the over-the-road drivers.
Highest Paying Trucking Companies in the US
The trucking industry plays a vital part in the global economy, with millions of truck drivers working tirelessly to transport goods across the country. Compared to other trucking companies, the features that these offer, including superior pay and benefits, are an attractive choice for drivers. Here are some of the top trucking companies that pay their truckers well.
Old Dominion Freight Line
This trucking company is known for its industry-leading on-time records and low crime rates. It is indeed an excellent company to work for, as most of its driving positions allow its drivers to get home daily. The company offers great benefits, including a 401 (k) match on weekly contributions and an annual match based on the company’s net profits. The company also offers safety bonuses and tuition reimbursement programs for new and qualifying drivers.
Mercer Transportation
This trucking company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, and hauls a number of specialized freight. The company also hauls freight for the Department of Defense (DOD). Mercer Transportation works only with owner-operators, and most of its drivers report making over six-figure salaries. Drivers are also paid within hours of Mercer receiving the paperwork on the final loads. Owner-operators reportedly make an average of over $200,000 per year.
Sysco Foods
Sysco Foods is a private fleet company, and they tend to pay their drivers very well because they only haul their products. Their overhead costs are also lower than those of other trucking companies. They set up their distribution channels and own freight lanes. Their primary focus is getting their goods to the final destination, and profit is a secondary concern.
Walmart
Walmart drivers are part of one of the largest and safest fleets in the world. Walmart has strict hiring standards, which help it maintain its prominent safety record. Being a private fleet, they are also known for paying their drivers well and compensating them for all their time. For instance, if the driver spends the night in the truck for a DOT 10-hour break, they will be compensated for it. They also pay quarterly safe driving bonuses. Walmart offers a range of driving options like hourly driving positions, over-the-road jobs, and regional routes.
UPS
Similar to Walmart, UPS also rewards its drivers for their tenure. They also offer a variety of driving positions for their truck drivers. Truck drivers with their CDL can move freight in a tractor-trailer, but UPS also has well-paying positions for package delivery drivers and personal vehicle drivers. UPS is also known for having the safest fleet of drivers and for providing a variety of freight options.
GP Transco
This is indeed the newest trucking company on the list. Despite being a new company, they are known for their competitive and consistent pay scales. The trucking company has positions available for owner-operators, team company drivers, and company drivers. GP Transco is a technology-driven company that helps truckers significantly increase their earnings.
Marten Transport
This trucking company is predominantly a reefer carrier. They are a top-paid and certified carrier, and also the first in the business to offer guaranteed pay. Their guaranteed pay lasts as long as the driver is associated with them. They offer many dedicated positions for their drivers, including the dedicated, regional, and OTR routes. For such exceptional work values, they enjoy the lowest employee turnover rates in the industry.
High Paying Truck Driver Jobs
Having discussed the best trucking companies that offer the best driver compensation and accessorial pay, let us discuss the best-paid truck driver jobs in the US.
Owner Operators
Owner-operators enjoy a national average compensation of $344,068 per year. Owner-operators run their trucking businesses and are also responsible for leasing and owning at least one truck. They are also responsible for finding goods to transport and handling the day-to-day operations of the trucking business.
Team Truck Drivers
Team truck drivers earn a national average salary of $164,200 per year. They generally work in pairs and take turns at the wheel to ensure that the truck is constantly moving, up to twenty-two hours a day. To complete this job, they should perform long-range commutes with about ten off-duty hours. The team of truck drivers’ intention is to efficiently carry out long-haul deliveries without making stops. It helps deliver goods significantly faster than solo drivers.
Long-Haul Truck Drivers
Long-haul truck drivers make around $159,379 per year. Long-haul truck drivers travel long distances to transport goods. A single delivery can involve hundreds of miles and might take several days to complete. The primary responsibilities of this job are to monitor expenses, such as fuel and tolls, plan journey routes, create schedules, record mileage, and assist with unloading goods.
Specialty Vehicle Hauler
A specialty vehicle hauler helps to transport expensive specialty automobiles such as luxury collectibles and race cars. Due to the nature of the vehicles in transit, this job demands additional precautions and protective procedures. This helps to prevent damage and protect against theft.
Oversized Load Truck Driver
Oversized load truck drivers have above-average maneuvering skills as they transport large, heavy loads. The items in transit are industrial machinery, mobile homes, or wind turbines. Drivers with responsibility are advised to follow state regulations that outline the allowable timings and routes for hauling over-dimensional loads.
Mine Haul Truck Driver
The mine truck drivers will operate large dump trucks to assist with mining and quarry-related tasks, including moving waste for disposal. They earn around $89,487 per year and primarily work on mining sites. They also operate at industrial locations to distribute raw materials.
Hazmat Tanker
A hazmat tanker handles dangerous and unstable materials, such as toxic waste. The truck drivers would require special training for this role. The drivers are also expected to undergo a Transportation Security Administration background check. They make around $62,363 per year.
Apart from these truck driving positions, there are also other truck driver roles, such as ice load driver and delivery driver. Who earn an average of $72,000 a year.
How are Truck Drivers Taxed on their Income?
Truck drivers who operate heavy vehicles are required to file their heavy vehicle highway use tax, also known as Form 2290, with the IRS. The carrier should e-file the tax Form and report their returns. Truck drivers who operate a vehicle of weight over 55,000 pounds should file this Form. For vehicles first used on a public highway in July, the HVUT Form should be filed between July 1 and August 31 of the same year.
Tax Deductions and e-filing Form 2290
Truck drivers will be able to claim tax deductions for expenses incurred on the road, including association dues, tools and equipment, and meals, while working away from home overnight. Only self-employed truck drivers will be able to claim tax deductions on their federal tax return for job-related expenses, while those who receive a W-2 from a trucking company cannot.
The actual expense method and per diem allowance methods can be used for deducting meal expenses, depending on the driver’s circumstances. Typical expenses for semi-truck drivers include insurance, depreciation, repairs, and other travel-related costs.
To earn more from the trucking business, it’s essential to choose the highest-paying trucking company. It’s important to check characteristics such as benefits, pay, and reviews from other drivers. It is also beneficial to choose trucking companies that offer CDL training programs to help drivers get started. Companies like Tax2efile will help trucking companies and truckers file their HVUT taxes with the IRS on time. They will also ensure that the stamped Schedule 1 copy of the tax return is sent to the trucker’s mail instantly.
