7 Best Trucking Companies Hiring Inexperienced Drivers
The demand for truck drivers is high in the USA, and the curve is ascending in time. The companies are opening new positions so that they can deliver consumer packages faster and increase their satisfaction. According to an estimate, there is a need for more than 8 million people in this industry. So are you ready to start your career here? But are you confused about how to start? Also, if you find one, the experience requirement is high. It is challenging to find a job as an inexperienced driver in the USA, but don’t worry. We will help you find a decent job.
How To Find A Trucking Job As An Inexperienced Driver?
Looking for jobs in the trucking industry is frustrating for truck drivers. Most of the company wants experienced truckers as they are reliable and have prior experience dealing with daily problems related to this job. They tend to overlook rookie drivers as they pose a high risk to the companies. Even if they are higher than they do not pay them very well. But don’t lose hope yet. We will have you find a good and decent-paying job in this article. As a beginner, you can follow these steps to find a job.
- Start Applying
You can start by applying for jobs on different portals, such as Tenstreet or CDLJobs. You can filter out the companies offering decent pay to inexperienced drivers to choose one.
- Obtain Class A CDL And Endorsements
To increase your chances of finding a job, you should work on your CDL or other endorsements.
You should seek a class A CDL as it opens doors for several jobs. You can drive any truck that requires Class A, B, or C CDL.
Also, you can get some of the higher paying trucking jobs when you have Class A CDL, for example,
- Ice road trucking
- Luxury car hauling
- Oversize loads
- Hazardous material haulers
- Research
Lastly, before going in for any interview, you should do a little research on the company. Always remember that the organization also wants you to clear the interview.
When you do research on the company you can understand if it is good for you, your family and your lifestyle. You need to find a good company that provides you with a good work-life balance and decent pay.
First-Year Truck Driver Salary
Now let’s talk about what salary range you can expect as a rookie truck driver. It is difficult for you to find a job, but it is even harder to find a job that pays you well. Most companies do not pay inexperienced truck drivers well.
So let us give you an average of how much you can earn in the first year of your job.
According to the Indeed job portal, the average base salary of an entry-level truck driver in the USA is $75,459.
According to another report by ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for an entry-level CDL driver is $52,980.
According to Alltrucking, the average yearly salary of a rookie truck driver is $40,000.
As you can see from the above data, your salary varies according to the organization, field, and region you are working.
Highest Paying Trucking Jobs In the USA
Truck driver compensation varies from one driver to another according to various factors, some of them are:
- Risk factor
- Liability
- Higher skill set
- Experience
- Driving record
- Distance and route
Here are a few highest trucking jobs in the USA that you can consider to earn well:
- Owner-operators:
Average pay: $152,182
- Private Fleets:
Average pay: $57,000- $18,500
- Ice Road Truck Driver:
Average pay: $66314
- Oversized Load:
Average pay: $67,359
- Specialty Car Haulers:
Average pay: $58,437
You can check out the average salary of national average salary by specialty below:
| Specialty | Salary | Specialty | Salary |
| Boat Haulers | $34,000 | Household Goods Drivers | $54,000 |
| Vocational Drivers | $35,000 | Local Drivers | $55,000 |
| Dry Van | $44,000 | Tanker Drivers | $55,000 |
| Reefer Drivers | $46,000 | Auto Drivers | $59,000 |
| Team Drivers | $51,000 | Flat Bed | $60,000 |
| Interstate Drivers | $53,000 | Regional Drivers | $67,000 |
| Dry Bulk Pneumatic | $53,000 | LTL Drivers | $84,000 |
Which State Offers Best Salary Pay To Inexperienced Drivers?
The average salary of the truck driver also varies according to the State you work.
For example, Delaware and Rhodes Island’s average salaries for rookie truck drivers are higher than in other states.
On the other hand, Hawaii offers the lowest salary to truck drivers.
| State | Wages (per year) | Expected Minimum Salary For Entry-Level CDL Drivers |
| Alabama | $56,000 | $42,000 |
| Alaska | $42,000 | $38,000 |
| Arizona | $46,000 | $39,000 |
| Arkansas | $51,000 | $44,000 |
| California | $55,000 | $39,000 |
| Colorado | $46,000 | $39,000 |
| Connecticut | $55,000 | $46,000 |
| Delaware | $49,000 | $47,000 |
| Florida | $50,000 | $37,000 |
| Georgia | $54,000 | $44,000 |
| Hawaii | $40,000 | $33,000 |
| Idaho | $45,000 | $30,000 |
| Illinois | $56,000 | $42,000 |
| Indiana | $56,000 | $45,000 |
| Iowa | $50,000 | $43,000 |
| Kansas | $48,000 | $43,000 |
| Kentucky | $53,000 | $46,000 |
| Louisiana | $49,000 | $39,000 |
| Maine | $49,000 | $42,000 |
| Maryland | $53,000 | $45,000 |
| Massachusetts | $59,000 | $43,000 |
| Michigan | $49,000 | $42,000 |
| Minnesota | $50,000 | $45,000 |
| Mississippi | $68,000 | $44,000 |
| Missouri | $55,000 | $44,000 |
| Montana | $52,000 | $37,000 |
| Nebraska | $45,000 | $37,000 |
| Nevada | $48,000 | $43,000 |
| New Hampshire | $53,000 | $46,000 |
| New Jersey | $53,000 | $46,000 |
| New Mexico | $47,000 | $40,000 |
| New York | $60,000 | $46,000 |
| North Carolina | $48,000 | $43,000 |
| North Dakota | $52,000 | $44,000 |
| Ohio | $50,000 | $44,000 |
| Oklahoma | $48,000 | $45,000 |
| Oregon | $50,000 | $33,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,000 | $45,000 |
| Rhode Island | $53,000 | $47,000 |
| South Carolina | $48,000 | $42,000 |
| South Dakota | $47,000 | $42,000 |
| Tennessee | $50,000 | $40,000 |
| Texas | $50,000 | $33,000 |
| Utah | $48,000 | $39,000 |
| Vermont | $55,000 | $46,000 |
| Virginia | $53,000 | $42,000 |
| Washington | $47,000 | $38,000 |
| West Virginia | $58,000 | $41,000 |
| Wisconsin | $66,000 | $45,000 |
| Wyoming | $61,000 | $43,000 |
7 Best Trucking Companies Hiring Inexperienced Drivers
Pam Transport
Headquarters: 297, West Henri de Tonti Blvd Tontitown, AR 72770
Industry: Transportation & Logistics
Revenue: $500M- $1B
Founder: Paul Allen Maestri
Pam Transport is a famous trucking company. It is situated in Arkansas, USA, and covers over 48 states and the southern part of Ontario in Canada. The company has more than 2,000 trucks and 6,000 trailers. They hire both experienced and new drivers. It is one of the best companies to boost your career growth and earn more.
You can either drive solo or earn more than $15,500 annually. Pam Transport has brought a new pan that helps you get decent pay with an annual increase and a monthly bonus.
You can work with the team and get the most miles, perks, and significant pay raise, i.e., $.60 CPM for the team. You will also enjoy a $24,000 performance-based bonus.
Or, if you want to be independent, you can lease your truck for $379 a week.
Roehl Transport
Headquarters: 1916 E 29th St, Marshfield, Wisconsin, USA
Industry: Logistics
Revenue: $965M
Founder: Everett Roehl
Roehl Transport is one of the largest logistics companies in the USA. It is based in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
It helps aspiring drivers obtain their CDL license. At the same time, it also offers employment opportunities to them.
It is one of the best companies to work for an inexperienced Truck Driver, owing to its benefits. Rather than using the old flat cents per mile (CPM) plan, the company has created an innovative choice pay plan.
The drivers will get rewarded for their performance of efficient driving and safety practices. They can also choose a quarterly performance bonus or get a higher pay level by showing high performance. Apart from basic pay, the company also provides additional benefits such as help insurance, voluntary advantage, holidays, vacations, etc.
Schneider National Inc.
Headquarters: 3101 Packerland, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54313
Industry: Transportation & Logistics
Revenue: $5 Billion
Founder: Aloysius John Schneider
Schneider National Inc. is another renowned company to seek a job as an inexperienced driver. Based in Green Bay, Wisconsin, this company currently has 19,600 employees. It deals with various services, including long-haul, dedicated, bulk, cross-dock logistics, supply chain management, etc. So you will have multiple options.
The company gives priority to safety, sustainability, and responsibility. They provide an innovative and energetic working environment, where you can be yourself and get appreciated.
To get a job, you need to be over 21 years with a valid license. You can obtain a CDL license in this company and get a job afterward.
US Xpress Inc
Headquarters: 4080 Jenkins Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Industry: Truckload Carriers
Revenue: $1.74 billion
Founder: Max Fuller
US Xpress is one of the largest asset-based private carriers operating in the USA. It owns more than 8,000 tractors and 22,000 trailers. The company keeps innovating and adapting to new technology for its customers and employees. They were one of the earliest companies to adopt life-saving technologies.
It is one of the best companies for any driver, inexperienced and experienced. It offers various benefits to its employees, including health and financial benefits. They are also eligible for compensation and bonuses.
Swift Transportation
Headquarters: 2200 S 75th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85043
Industry: Motor Transportation
Revenue: $4.23 billion
Founder: Jerry Moyes
Swift Transportation is one of the largest full truckload carriers with more than 23,000 trucks. It is based in Arizona.
You can easily find a job here even if you are a new truck driver. They provide inexperienced drivers with jobs and mentors who help them to boost their career growth and become professionals. They also provide you with additional training with pay. Once you complete this, your pay increases, and you become ready to hit the road on your own.
Trans Am
Headquarters: 4308 Aviation Ave, Tallahassee, Florida, 32310
Industry: Temperature-controlled freight industry
Revenue: $235.8M
Founder: Johnny And Trudy Jacobson
TransAm is a premier carrier in the temperature-controlled freight industry. It was founded in 1987 with 70 tractors and 100 trailers. Now it has expanded and operates over the country with 1000 tractors and over 1900 trailers. To apply for the job, you have to be at least 21 years old and hold a valid CDL-A license.
The company offers transition pay for the new drivers. They can get paid in installments after 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. In addition to the basic salary, after every month, the drivers will get a retention bonus ranging from $200 to $250. It also offers a tuition reimbursement program to help you repay your student loan and kickstart your career.
Prime Inc
Headquarters: Springfield, Missouri, United States
Industry: Transportation service
Revenue: $600M
Founders: Robert E Low
Prime Inc. is a freight transport and logistics trucking company based in Missouri. It started with one truck in 1970 and now has expanded into a multi-fold business. It has become the 28th largest trucking company in the USA. Whether you are a new driver, who is just starting the journey, or an experienced one, you can find a job in this logistics company easily.
Prime offers competitive compensation packages. Apart from basic pay, it also provides insurance options to drivers, including medical coverage, dental insurance, life insurance, etc. The drivers can also accompany their pets to the site by paying a small deposit. One of the significant advantages of joining this company is that it provides a good work-life balance.
It provides you with 24 hours off after spending seven days straight on the road. After a long haul, you can go back, spend some time with your family, and refresh.
Final Words
These were some top companies where you can hire Inexperienced. You can choose any of them to kick start your career.
Remember, the trucking industry is one of the most lucrative businesses. If you practice safe driving practices and keep on improving yourself, you can expect to earn a decent compensation.