If you’re chasing Highest-paying trucking jobs St. Louis, you’re in the right place. Greater St. Louis sits at the crossroads of I-55, I-70 and I-44, with a busy river port and rail intermodal yards—so carriers compete hard for talent. Below is a hand-picked, data-driven list of the best trucking companies in St. Louis for Midwest freight drivers can choose from now, ranked with HMD Trucking at #1 for its pay + driver support combo. You’ll also find a salary snapshot, what each company hauls (van, reefer, flatbed, LTL freight), home-time patterns, and who’s hiring different experience levels—rookies with a fresh CDL to seasoned linehaul pros.
How we ranked (quick version)
- Total compensation potential in/near St. Louis (annualized ranges, CPM or hourly + extras).
- Availability of jobs in the metro (P&D/local, regional, OTR, team, private fleet).
- Home time & equipment (comfort, APUs, maintenance, safety record).
- Stability & advancement (paid training, driver academies, dedicated lanes).
- Driver-reported experience where official pay bands are broad.
Note: Pay varies by lane, shift, and experience. Use the table to zero in on your fit, then confirm the current offer with the recruiter.
The 2025 Leaderboard: Top 13 Trucking Companies Hiring in St. Louis
Table 1 — Who pays what (and who it’s best for)
| Rank | Company | Typical Pay Snapshot* | What They Haul / Best Fit | Experience & CDL Notes | Home Time Pattern |
| 1 | HMD Trucking | OTR dry van 60–70¢ CPM; flatbed ~65¢+ CPM with weekly ranges commonly $1,320–$2,100+ | OTR dry van, flatbed; strong logistics support; modern tractors | Class A CDL; solid for 12+ months experience; teams & hazmat options | OTR (2–4 weeks out typical), regional options |
| 2 | Walmart Private Fleet | First-year up to ~$110,000; regional postings up to ~$105,000 | Private fleet retail transportation (no-touch, high standards) | Class A, clean MVR; fleet-specific onboarding | Mostly regional with weekly reset |
| 3 | UPS (Feeder/Long-haul Teams) | Long-haul team drivers average ~$172,000 (total comp) | Premium LTL parcel linehaul; union benefits | Class A with doubles; seniority rules apply | Linehaul/relay schedules; predictable |
| 4 | Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) | Avg P&D ~$81k; Linehaul ~$107k | LTL P&D (home daily) and linehaul | Class A, doubles; paid training paths | P&D home daily; linehaul scheduled |
| 5 | ABF Freight (ArcBest) | City drivers clock low-$30s/hr; posted top rate ~$31.84/hr for qualified new hires in 2025 | Union LTL P&D + linehaul; strong benefits | Class A with endorsements; dock/P&D mix | P&D home daily; linehaul overnight |
| 6 | FedEx Freight | City driver postings show ~$31–$36/hr; linehaul ~$0.71–$0.83/mi + task pay | Non-union LTL; city & road roles | Class A, doubles/hazmat for road | City home daily; road scheduled |
| 7 | Prime Inc. (MO-based) | Competitive CPM + accessorials; teams have split CPM + bonuses; owner-operator % linehaul options | Reefer, flatbed, tanker; train-to-hire options | Company, lease/IC; in-house training | OTR/regional; variety |
| 8 | TMC Transportation | Percentage pay (often 27–34% of load) out-earns many CPM flatbeds in strong freight | Flatbed specialists; performance-based pay | Class A; securement training provided | OTR/Regional; some weekends home |
| 9 | Maverick Transportation | Experienced flatbed: starting ~$0.59–$0.635 CPM with guarantees; students start lower with paid training | Flatbed/glass; structured raises | Class A; student pathways available | Mix of regional & OTR |
| 10 | Crete Carrier / Shaffer | Top 50% of OTR average ~$92,000; starting ~$0.61–$0.66 CPM | Dry van (Crete), reefer (Shaffer) | Class A; practical miles paid | OTR/Regional; predictable resets |
| 11 | Nussbaum Transportation | Established drivers ~$88k–$92k+; top 30% ~$100k | Midwest-centric dry van; highly rated culture | Class A; door-to-door practical miles pay | Mostly regional/OTR (weekends often) |
| 12 | K&B Transportation | Strong weekly guarantees commonly advertised $1,550–$1,750+ depending on fleet | Reefer OTR; “Road Warrior” premium options | Class A; experience required | OTR; premium for extended time out |
| 13 | Hogan Transportation (HQ in St. Louis) | Competitive dedicated/local pay (varies by account) | Local/dedicated/regional; intermodal & fleet services | Class A; many home-daily roles | Local & regional — St. Louis focus |
*Pay snapshots summarize public postings/official pages as of August 2025; your offer depends on lane, shift, experience, endorsements, and current freight mix.
Company notes (what stands out)
1) Why HMD Trucking is #1
HMD blends highest-paying OTR CPM ranges with driver-first dispatch, late-model equipment, and transparent weekly ranges on its site. For a truck driver who wants strong income without giving up modern comforts (APU, inverter, roomy sleepers) and responsive maintenance, HMD’s package is hard to beat in the current St. Louis market. They list multiple lanes (van, flatbed, hazmat/doubles) so you can match what you like hauling to your ideal salary potential and schedule. It’s the most balanced “money + support + equipment” offering on this list.
2) Walmart Private Fleet
Walmart’s private fleet remains the benchmark for “company job that pays like an elite dedicated.” First-year earning potential pushing six figures plus is realistic on posted roles, and the work is clean (no-touch retail freight) with predictable logistics and time-off.
3) UPS Feeder (esp. Teams)
Under the current national agreement, UPS transportation comp for long-haul teams is outstanding. If you like the linehaul rhythm, are open to doubles, and want top-tier retirement/health, this is a premier path. Feeder openings ebb and flow; check the Saint Louis bid board.
4) Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL)
ODFL’s formula is simple: high productivity, tight terminals, and top-quartile LTL pay. Many drivers prefer P&D for jobs that get them home daily; others chase long-haul linehaul checks.
5) ABF Freight (ArcBest)
ABF is a union LTL stalwart with a clear wage scale. City drivers work a dock-and-deliver rhythm, often commanding low-$30s per hour at or near top rate, with strong pension/benefits.
6) FedEx Freight
Non-union LTL with widely posted ranges for both city (hourly) and road (mileage + fixed task pay). Strong fit if you like terminal-to-terminal work without touch labor.
7) Prime Inc. (Springfield, MO)
Prime pulls from St. Louis heavily. Between company and independent contractor programs (including lease), plus CDL training pipelines, it’s a flexible ladder with multiple divisions. Team drivers can stack bonuses on top of split CPM.
8) TMC Transportation
If you like flatbed, TMC’s percentage pay lets you share in rate increases. In tight markets, the percentage model often beats CPM checks—especially for high-value freight.
9) Maverick Transportation
Maverick’s flatbed division posts clear numbers and a weekly minimum guarantee. Strong securement training, predictable raises, and special glass fleets for qualified drivers.
10) Crete Carrier / Shaffer
A perennial best trucking companies St. Louis contender for OTR pros who value practical miles, consistent freight, and a no-nonsense pay plan.
11) Nussbaum Transportation
Midwest regional specialist with culture perks (profit-sharing/ESOP elements) and salary trajectories approaching or topping $90k+ for experienced solo drivers.
12) K&B Transportation
Known for guaranteed weekly pay structures (varies by fleet), which is appealing if you hate weeks where miles dip. The “Road Warrior” option rewards staying out longer.
13) Hogan Transportation (St. Louis HQ)
Local pride. Hogan’s depth in dedicated/local keeps many drivers sleeping at home while still earning solid checks. A go-to for Trucking companies hiring St. Louis right now.
Table 2 — St. Louis Truck Driver Salaries at a Glance (what to expect by job type)
| Role Type | Typical St. Louis Earnings Pattern | Who It Fits |
| LTL P&D (Home Daily) | About $28–$36+ per hour base; OT eligible per company/contract; strong benefits | Drivers who like city work, dock + delivery, set start times |
| LTL Linehaul (Road) | Often $0.70–$0.85/mi plus fixed task pay; six-figure potential with steady bids | Night owls and relay runners who prefer terminal-to-terminal |
| Private Fleet (e.g., Retail) | Posted first-year near or above $100k | Clean, predictable freight with strict safety standards |
| OTR Dry Van (Solo) | $0.60–$0.70 CPM common; top 50% often $80–$95k with bonuses | Mileage-driven earners who like nationwide routes |
| Flatbed (Solo) | CPM ~$0.59–$0.70 or 27–34% of load; frequent $90k trajectories | Securement pros who enjoy variety and higher skill premiums |
| Teams (Company) | Per-driver totals that can reach upper-five to low-six figures with bonuses (private fleets & parcel can be higher) | Pairs seeking maximum miles/earnings |
This is a snapshot of St. Louis truck driver salaries based on 2025 postings and carrier disclosures. Your mileage (literally) may vary.
How to land one of the Top trucking jobs St. Louis (3-step plan)
- Pick the lane that fits your life.
Love being home daily? Target LTL P&D or dedicated/local at Hogan/ODFL/ABF/FedEx Freight. Want the absolute biggest checks? Consider linehaul teams or private fleet (UPS/Walmart), or high-earning OTR flatbed at HMD/Maverick/TMC. - Match endorsements to pay.
Doubles/triples and hazmat boost your options at parcel and LTL carriers. Flatbed securement and TWIC can tilt offers upward. Tanker with Prime or other specialized fleets adds another lever. - Audit the “hidden comp.”
Ask about accessorials, safety/performance bonuses, detention/tarp pay, per-diem, paid training/tuition, and transportation benefits (401(k) match, profit-sharing). Small line-items add up.
FAQ (straight answers)
Q: I’m new—can I start in St. Louis without experience?
Yes. Prime and several LTLs run driver academies or paid pathways; Roehl and Maverick also have strong training programs. You’ll start lower, but the on-ramp is real.
Q: Which companies are actively hiring around St. Louis right now?
All 13 in this guide have recent postings or active hiring funnels; local dedicated (Hogan), private fleet/regional (Walmart), LTL P&D (ODFL/ABF/FedEx Freight) and OTR (HMD/Crete/Nussbaum/Prime/TMC/Maverick/K&B) are consistently live.
Q: CPM vs. percentage pay for flatbed—what’s better?
In hot freight markets, TMC-style percentage pay can outpace CPM. When rates soften, a high CPM with guarantees (HMD/Maverick) can feel steadier.
Q: Do I need all the endorsements to earn top pay?
Not all, but doubles/hazmat help in parcel/LTL, and tanker/flatbed skills open premium lanes. A clean MVR and strong safety record are universal boosters.
Final tips (save this checklist)
- Call two or three recruiters the same day—compare apples to apples (base CPM or hourly, average miles/hours, typical week gross, bonus rules, benefits).
- Ask for a recent settlement example on the actual lane you’ll run.
- Confirm home-time in writing.
- If you’re searching boards, include phrases like “Trucking companies hiring St. Louis” and “Top trucking jobs St. Louis”—and filter by highest-paying.
- Keep your CDL medical card, endorsements, and TWIC (if relevant) current. That simple admin work widens your choices.
