7 Best Trucking Companies Hiring Inexperienced Drivers
Starting a career in trucking can be rewarding, but it can be challenging for those without experience. Many trucking companies are looking to hire inexperienced drivers and offer training to get you on the road.
Whether you want to drive locally or long-distance, there are companies that provide the support you need to begin your career.
In this blog, we will cover the 7 best trucking companies hiring inexperienced drivers, offering excellent training programs to help you succeed.
How to Find a Trucking Job as a New Driver
Getting a trucking job without experience can be tough. Most companies prefer experienced drivers because they know how to handle the job’s challenges. But don’t get discouraged—here’s how you can land a good job even as a beginner.
1. Start Applying
Look for jobs on websites like Tenstreet or CDLJobs. Use filters to find companies that are willing to hire new drivers. Apply to as many as possible to improve your chances of getting hired.
2. Get Your Class A CDL and Endorsements
If you don’t already have one, work on getting your Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). This license allows you to drive most types of trucks, opening the door to more job opportunities.
Consider adding endorsements like:
- Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
- Tanker Vehicles
- Doubles/Triples Trailers
These can help you qualify for higher-paying jobs like hauling hazardous materials, oversized loads, or luxury vehicles.
3. Research the Company
Before you apply or go for an interview, spend some time researching the company. Check their pay, benefits, and work schedule. Make sure the job fits your needs and lifestyle.
Being prepared and informed about the company shows that you’re serious and can make a great impression.
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.
They provide you 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.
Highest-Paying Trucking Jobs in the USA
Truck driver pay depends on things like risk, skill, experience, and the routes they drive. Here are some of the highest-paying trucking jobs in the U.S.:
Owner-Operators
Average Pay: $152,182/year
Owner-operators run their own trucking business. They earn more but also pay for fuel, repairs, and insurance.
Private Fleet Drivers
Average Pay: $57,000 – $118,500/year
These drivers work for companies like Walmart. They get higher pay, better benefits, and steady schedules.
Ice Road Truckers
Average Pay: $66,314/year
Ice road truckers drive on frozen roads in extreme weather. It’s risky, but the pay is high.
Oversized Load Drivers
Average Pay: $67,359/year
These drivers haul big loads like heavy equipment. It requires skill and special permits.
Specialty Car Haulers
Average Pay: $58,437/year
These truckers transport luxury or classic cars. It’s a careful job with good pay.
You can check out the average salary of national average salary by specialty below:
| 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 |
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.
Which State Offers Best Salary Pay To Inexperienced 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 |
Conclusion
Starting a trucking career without experience is possible with companies like Pam Transport, Roehl Transport, and Swift Transportation. They offer paid CDL training, mentorship, and fair pay to help new drivers build their skills. Schneider National and Prime Inc. also provide benefits like tuition reimbursement and flexible schedules.
Entry-level salaries vary by state and job type, with higher pay for specializations like flatbed or regional driving. Adding endorsements like HAZMAT or tanker certification can increase earnings. Choosing the right company and gaining these qualifications can help new drivers succeed in the trucking industry.