CDL A Solo OTR Truck Drivers

CDL-A Solo OTR Truck Drivers

DSL Express and partners are now hiring CDL-A Solo OTR Truck Drivers for OTR and Teams to run our newly updated and modernized fleet. Company drivers with 2+ years of experience and a decent MVR/PSP score. Immediate openings available. Seeking drivers from Tennessee and around the Chattanooga, TN area (and in other states). It's a pretty good area for us and we do strong nationwide OTR routes! You can live anywhere in the country.

Pay is respectable. At the bottom end, full-time drivers here still hit $104,000 annually, with the pay rising for those who give it more effort.

Typical Pay Highlights:

• 30% Line Haul + Bonuses (most popular for solos).
• $1,900–$2,400 Weekly Average + Bonuses.
• OR switch anytime to miles pay.
• Up to 60 cents (automatic drivers).
• Up to 65 cents (manual drivers).
• Well over $104K+ per year on percentage (up to $145k top end).
• No Forced Dispatch.

Average Pay Per Week: $1,900 – $2,400 per week (with some peaks reaching $2700+ on legal hours)

Pay is performance based and we offer percentage pay at 30% of the gross and option to switch to miles pay anytime.

For average drivers slow season typically is between $1,900–$2,100 and Peak season $2,100–$2,400 - rare slow weeks during slow season can dip to $1,500, rare peak weeks during busy season can hit $2,700+. Most weeks fall between $1,900–$2,400 depending on season overall. Rule of thumb: Just expect peak seasons to be better overall and pay to be on the high end most of the time. On a normal year, Q1 is slow, Q2 is peak, Q3 mediocre, Q4 peak. For the last 25 years, excluding crazy covid years, this has been the consistent pattern.

Average Company Pay Statistics for Full Time Drivers:

• 87% of drivers chose percentage pay in 2025. Miles seems to be an industry problem recently.
• Top year around runners (the top 5 percenters) hit the $145,000 range last year in 2025.
• Most top runners were somewhere in the $125,000 range in 2025.
• Average drivers good at what they do but not top tier still made $115,000 range last year.
• In 2025, nobody made less than $104,000 when running full time here ($104,130 to be exact).
• Drivers who were seasonal or had excessive home time were considered outliers and not included.

Preferred Percentage Based Solo Driver Pay - Better in this 1 to 2 day run market:

• We are paying up to 30% line haul plus bonuses. In this post covid market, drivers drive less and make more on this.
• Average pay in dead season is usually between $1900 to $2100 with some rare best weeks of about $2400+ and a rare slow week of about $1500.
• Average pay in peak season is usually between $2100 to $2400 with some rare best weeks of about $2700+ and a rare slow week of about $1900.
• Average miles on percentage pay is reduced on purpose. We not only save fuel but our contracts make more by the mile. Its a win/win. Usually 2000 to 2500 miles in slow season and up to around 3000 in busy. You dont have to chase the dragons tail with miles or get burnt out to make more. Plenty of time to make your stops as well and fewer missed appointment times on drops and pickups. Its just a smarter way to do business.

Standard Miles Based Solo Driver Pay - For those who prefer:

• Every driver is given option to switch any time to up to 60 cents plus bonuses depending on EXP and MVR (Up to 65 for manual drivers).
• Average miles when doing miles pay is anywhere between 2500 and 3600 miles per wk. Some drivers do more than others. We run alternate routes with miles pay drivers. However, the market isnt what it used to be. The long east west runs are dead in dry van (for the time being).
• The average gross income is roughly $1600 to $2400 legal max per week per driver. A bit less for automatic only drivers.

Team Driver Pay (Miles Based Pay Only):

• Want to drive in a team provided you have a team member?
• Up to 75 cents per mile plus bonuses. Depending on the EXP and MVRs of the team.
• Average miles when doing miles pay is anywhere between 5500 and 7000 per wk. Middle to lower side recently.
• The average gross income is $4100 and $5200 per wk total split. Roughly $2000 to $2600 per week per team driver.
• Sorry - This is not a team market right now. Solos on percentage generally do better and especially when running by percentage.

If you are motivated and can run and are a good, honest, hard-working honorable person, then we have a place for you and you will make good money with us.

Otherwise, consider the Schneider's of the world. Nothing is for free in life. We are fair and don't screw our men and women but you get what you give! Don't expect to want to be home weekends and make OTR money. That's not an OTR job and frankly that's fantasy! Be wary of anyone who promises that. That's not to say we want you staying out months and have no life either. Look! - This job is demanding and as long as you're a professional, we have a place for you. We treat our people like family but you get what in. We take this business seriously and we want serious drivers who will do the job to the best of their ability. What you make is directly related to your performance and it's entirely up to you how well you do. We want the best!

Sound harsh? Good! The truth is a hard pill to swallow. We won't sugarcoat the reality of the situation. The old timers who threw in the towel when the ELD mandate took effect back in 2019 are sorely missed. Dying breed. Props to all of you still truckin' on!

Still interested after reading that? GOOD! - Here is the link:

What makes our company different?

• First and foremost, we are NOT a mega-carrier! You won't get lost in the mix. But - we are not tiny either.
• We welcome veterans and encourage you to apply - In fact, we love them. We are all about fair chance employment as well. Anyone willing to work hard deserves a chance.
• We have been in business 25 years (since 2001) and we've seen it all. Experienced.
• We have 24-hour dispatch in 3 offices. Real guys all night.
• We keep our equipment in top shape! We have built-in mechanic shops at the Chicago and Vegas depots. We also have newer equipment (lots of automatics now but we still carry manuals for those older school guys who want them).
• We do dedicated freight with Chicago area companies on a regular basis. We also own a brokerage and partner companies where we get spill over.
• We care about drivers. We have simple amenities for drivers that make a difference. Full Kitchen, Washer, Dryer, Lounge available at Chicago.
• We pride ourselves on your relationship with 4 other Chicago area Carriers. We are all family and help each other out. Mega carrier resources without being a mega carrier!