Introduction
If New York sells hustle, the Twin Cities sell payoff. In Minneapolis–St. Paul, the checks clear, the miles count, and the driver compensation feels less like a lottery and more like a plan.
The Twin Cities trucking scene has quietly matured into one of the Midwest’s most rewarding hubs for CDL driver jobs. Compared with the national average, transportation industry salaries in the Minneapolis–St. Paul corridor skew higher, especially for home-daily roles. Local route driver pay rates here commonly run a few dollars per hour above national norms, and regional trucking pay often includes steadier schedules than coastal markets.
For trucking job seekers weighing cost of living, commute times, and quality employer benefits, the Twin Cities stand out—not as a copy of NYC’s frenetic pace, but as a balanced market where trucking employment opportunities meet stability. With both Minneapolis trucking jobs and St. Paul trucking jobs opening every week, the local driver job market is flush with trucking job listings across long haul and local freight.
Whether you’re shopping for delivery driver salaries, flatbed driver pay, intermodal trucking pay, or premium hazmat driver pay, the trucking industry salaries and compensation packages here compare favorably to national benchmarks while preserving the Midwestern promise of community, parking, and room to breathe.
| Segment | Twin Cities pay | National average |
| Local route pay (hourly driver pay) | $26–$35/hr + overtime pay rates | $22–$30/hr + OT |
| Regional trucking pay (mileage pay) | $0.58–$0.72 CPM + bonuses | $0.50–$0.66 CPM + bonuses |
| Long haul wages (OTR) | $0.60–$0.75 CPM; $1,600–$2,200/wk | $0.52–$0.68 CPM; $1,300–$1,900/wk |
| Flatbed driver pay | $0.65–$0.80 CPM; $28–$36/hr local | $0.55–$0.72 CPM; $24–$32/hr |
| Intermodal trucking pay | $25–$33/hr; $0.58–$0.70 CPM | $22–$30/hr; $0.52–$0.65 CPM |
| Hazmat driver pay | $28–$40/hr + differential | $24–$35/hr + differential |
| Weekend shift pay premiums | +$1–$3/hr or +$50–$100/day | +$0.50–$2/hr |
That’s the headline for Twin Cities trucking right now: above-average wage scales, robust driver benefits, and plentiful trucking job openings. Below, I’ve rounded up the Twin Cities highest paying carriers—the best paying carriers Twin Cities drivers keep whispering about in break rooms and group chats. This is a different rhythm than the coasts: fewer miracles, more math—and a better chance to get home on time.
Top 12 Best-Paying Carriers Hiring in the Twin Cities
1. HMD Trucking
Flatbed specialists with a safety-first reputation, HMD operates solid lanes through Minneapolis–St. Paul, offering a blend of earnings and respect that routinely puts them among the top paying trucking companies in the region. For drivers chasing high-paying carriers with steady freight and strong employer benefits package, the anchor is clear: HMD Trucking Twin Cities best-paying jobs. The fleet’s a favorite among drivers who want a premium driver compensation package without sacrificing home time.
“I switched to HMD for the flatbed money and stayed for the dispatch. Clean communication, well-maintained equipment, and they pay what they say. My take-home beats what I made in Chicago without the daily stress.” — Marcus T., St. Paul
- Driver pay rates: flatbed driver pay typically $0.70–$0.78 CPM or $1,800–$2,300 weekly gross, depending on loads and experience.
- Mileage pay plus tarp pay, with safety incentive programs for clean inspections.
- Sign on bonuses available; referral bonuses for bringing in experienced CDL-A friends.
- Health benefits, dental insurance, vision coverage, life insurance, and retirement plans.
- Paid time off and paid holidays; weekend shift pay available on select runs.
- Training opportunities for flatbed securement; tuition reimbursement and driver apprenticeships for qualifying candidates.
2. Global Fleet LLC
Global Fleet LLC runs a diverse freight mix across the metro with a strong intermodal footprint, giving Twin Cities drivers access to rail-connected freight and home-daily options. If you’re browsing trucking job search sites for carriers hiring Twin Cities with predictable schedules, Global Fleet is worth a look. Their driver employment opportunities span local drayage, regional, and occasional OTR, tailored to lifestyle and earnings goals. Visit Global Fleet LLC for current postings.
“Intermodal isn’t glamorous, but my paycheck is. I’m home most nights, get consistent overtime, and the terminals are close enough that I’m not burning hours just getting into position.” — Alina P., Minneapolis
- Intermodal trucking pay: $26–$32/hr for local drayage, with overtime pay rates after 40 hours; regional lanes at $0.60–$0.68 CPM.
- Weekend shift pay and bonus pay on peak port/rail weeks.
- Comprehensive employer benefits package with health benefits and retirement plans.
- Safety incentive programs tied to incident-free quarters.
- Tuition reimbursement and training opportunities for transitioning from van to intermodal.
3. Waste Connections
Waste Connections is a national name with strong roots in the Twin Cities. For drivers who value consistency and job stability, municipal and commercial waste routes offer some of the most dependable local driver salaries in the metro. If you’re after daily home time and stout benefits, check Waste Connections.
“I used to chase miles. Now I chase bedtime stories. The pay is solid, the OT is real, and the route is mine. You don’t get that kind of predictability everywhere.” — Steven D., St. Paul
- Local route pay: $28–$35/hr with guaranteed overtime pay rates after 40 hours.
- Sign on bonuses in certain districts; referral bonuses for qualified hires.
- Paid time off accrual from day one; paid holidays; life insurance.
- Health benefits, dental insurance, vision coverage, and retirement plans.
- Training opportunities and driver apprenticeships for new CDL holders transitioning to commercial waste vehicles.
4. Estes Express Lines
In LTL, Estes is a heavy hitter—with both P&D and linehaul options across the Twin Cities. The appeal is choice: steady-day P&D or higher-mileage night runs, with strong driver compensation and union-adjacent discipline in operations. Explore openings at Estes Express Lines.
“My P&D bid gets me home for dinner and keeps the benefits intact. If I want a bigger check, I swap to linehaul for a season. It’s nice to have that lever.” — Jae K., Minneapolis
- P&D driver pay rates: $28–$33/hr, daily home time.
- Linehaul long haul wages: $0.70–$0.80 CPM with mileage pay plus drop-and-hook premiums.
- Overtime pay rates after 8 or 40 depending on terminal policy; weekend shift pay for Saturday coverage.
- Health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off; safety incentive programs for accident-free performance.
- Wage scales published; clear bid system adds transparency to trucking employment.
5. Breakthru Beverage Group
Distribution pays well in the Twin Cities, and Breakthru’s beverage routes offer premium delivery driver salaries with customer-facing stability. It’s physical work, but the compensation and daylight runs can be hard to beat. Learn more at Breakthru Beverage Group.
“People underestimate beverage work. My paychecks don’t. The route is tight, the account managers respect drivers, and the overtime stacks up especially in summer.” — Renee S., Bloomington
- Hourly driver pay: $26–$32/hr plus overtime; incentive pay on select deliveries.
- Referral bonuses and seasonal sign on bonuses in peak months.
- Health benefits, dental insurance, vision coverage, paid time off, and retirement plans.
- Training opportunities for new market routes and customer service protocols.
- Stable schedule with strong employer benefits package for families.
6. Maxtech
Maxtech focuses on regional and OTR logistics with Twin Cities-based lanes that appeal to drivers who want miles without coastal chaos. With a reputation for responsive dispatch and competitive driver compensation packages, they attract experienced hands who prefer the Upper Midwest’s rhythm. See current roles at Maxtech.
“I run regional most weeks and take an OTR swing when I want to spike the paycheck. Pay is fair, and breakdowns don’t leave you hanging.” — Devon L., Maplewood
- Regional trucking pay: $0.62–$0.70 CPM; long haul wages up to $0.72 CPM for high-service OTR.
- Weekend shift pay and detention/layover compensation spelled out in writing.
- Sign on bonuses for experienced CDL-A drivers; referral bonuses for qualified leads.
- Health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, and life insurance.
- Tuition reimbursement for advanced endorsements; safety incentive programs.
7. Moran Transportation
Moran’s footprint in LTL and regional cartage gives Twin Cities drivers reliable schedules with earnings that compare well against the national average. If you want to balance family time with solid checks, browse Moran Transportation.
“P&D here pays right and doesn’t waste your clock. The dock teams are dialed in, and I’m not chasing miles to make rent.” — Henry A., St. Paul
- Hourly driver pay: $25–$30/hr for P&D; overtime pay rates after 8 or 40 hours.
- Regional linehaul options with mileage pay and predictable hoteling.
- Health benefits, dental insurance, vision coverage, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Safety incentive programs and quarterly performance bonuses.
- Training opportunities and driver apprenticeships for dock-to-driver paths.
8. BlueLinx
Building materials distribution means flatbed and curtain-side work, and BlueLinx offers some of the most consistent flatbed driver pay in the Twin Cities, with home-daily schedules on local routes. Check BlueLinx for active postings.
“Flatbed here is a grown-up’s game—good pay, steady customers, and predictable days. I like the balance.” — Sarah W., Minneapolis
- Local route pay: $28–$34/hr; overtime pay rates standard.
- Load securement premiums and safety incentive programs.
- Health benefits, paid time off, retirement plans, and life insurance.
- Training opportunities for specialized loads; tuition reimbursement for advanced endorsements.
- Referral bonuses on new hires who complete probation.
9. Toll Company
Gas and welding supply delivery demands safety and professionalism, and it pays accordingly. Hazmat-certified drivers can earn a premium here while sleeping in their own beds. Learn more at Toll Company.
“Hazmat used to intimidate me—until I saw the paycheck. Routes are tight, training is solid, and I’m home for dinner.” — Luis M., Inver Grove Heights
- Hazmat driver pay: $30–$38/hr with differentials for endorsements and weekend shift pay when needed.
- Overtime pay rates after 8 or 40 hours; safety incentive programs for clean records.
- Health benefits, dental insurance, vision coverage, life insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Tuition reimbursement for hazmat and tanker endorsements; ongoing training opportunities.
- Strong job stability with industrial and medical customers.
10. Royal Oak Recycling
Recycling and paper recovery routes anchor a segment of local freight that rarely slows. For drivers chasing predictable daylight and benefits, Royal Oak can be a pragmatic pick. Explore Royal Oak Recycling.
“It’s not glamorous, but it’s steady. I know my route, I know my pay, and the overtime’s reliable.” — Anita F., Roseville
- Hourly driver pay: $24–$30/hr with overtime pay rates and weekend shift options.
- Safety incentive programs and productivity bonuses.
- Health benefits, paid time off, retirement plans, and life insurance.
- Training opportunities for roll-off and walking-floor trailers.
- Employer benefits package emphasizes stability and predictable schedules.
11. Lakeshore Recycling Systems (LRS)
LRS has grown fast, and the Twin Cities market benefits from that scale. If your priority is a stable paycheck and a clear growth ladder, LRS is worth a conversation. Visit Lakeshore Recycling Systems.
“Union-style discipline without the chaos. Good gear, good pay, and I don’t have to trade my weekends unless I want the extra money.” — Terry C., St. Paul
- Local route pay: $26–$34/hr, steady overtime, and paid holidays.
- Health benefits, dental insurance, vision coverage, life insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
- Referral bonuses and training opportunities for equipment certs.
- Safety incentive programs and clear wage scales by job class.
- Job stability backed by long-term municipal contracts.
12. Fresh Logistics
Cold chain is hot in the Twin Cities, with grocery and foodservice volumes keeping reefers rolling. Fresh Logistics offers a mix of regional out-and-back and short OTR that’s tailor-made for drivers who want earnings and frequent home time. Get details at Fresh Logistics.
“My week usually looks like two regional turns and a short OTR loop. The money lands, the runs are planned, and the dispatchers actually listen.” — Byron E., Brooklyn Park
- Regional trucking pay: $0.60–$0.68 CPM; weekend shift pay for Friday–Sunday turns.
- Detention and layover spelled out; mileage pay plus stop pay on multi-drop loads.
- Health benefits, retirement plans, paid time off, and life insurance.
- Tuition reimbursement and training opportunities for temperature-control best practices.
- Safety incentive programs for incident-free refrigerated operations.
13. J.B. Hunt (Bonus Pick)
Call it a baker’s dozen. J.B. Hunt’s intermodal and dedicated contracts in the Twin Cities open the door to a range of trucking career opportunities, from home-daily rail to regional dedicated with consistent lanes. If you’re trying to map earnings to lifestyle, the diversity here is a draw. Explore J.B. Hunt.
“I moved from OTR van to dedicated intermodal. Now I’m home most nights, still making what I need, and the benefits are a notch above.” — Gwen R., Minneapolis
- Intermodal trucking pay: $1,400–$1,800 weekly averages; hourly driver pay for yard and local moves varies by site.
- Regional driver openings with mileage pay and predictable resets.
- Sign on bonuses and referral bonuses on select accounts.
- Health benefits, dental insurance, vision coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and life insurance.
- Tuition reimbursement, driver apprenticeships, training opportunities, and safety incentive programs.
Conclusion
“So, is it worth moving?” a friend from Queens asked me while doom-scrolling trucking job market trends.
“If you want high paying jobs Twin Cities drivers rave about, and not just promises? Yes,” I told him. “The trucking job market here is lively, but it’s not frantic. The top carriers Twin Cities drivers trust show their math—clear driver compensation packages, transparent wage scales, and real routes. You’ll see trucking job opportunities across LTL, intermodal, beverage, waste, flatbed—even hazmat—without the grind that eats your week on the coasts.”
He asked about the money. I pointed him to this list of Twin Cities highest paying carriers—truly the best trucking companies for people who value both checks and calendars. “Between the trucking employment options, generous employer benefits package—think health benefits, retirement plans, and paid time off—and the sheer number of carriers hiring Twin Cities right now, the calculus is simple. Put in an application or three, see who calls, and choose the life you want.”
Because that’s the difference here. The Twin Cities don’t sell the dream—they pay for the work.
