Marten Transport vs Prime Inc.
Two major reefer carriers compared for temperature-controlled hauling. Marten is publicly traded with newer equipment and better home time. Prime is larger with CDL training and more division flexibility.
Marten Transport
- Pay
- $55,000 - $85,000
- Fleet
- 3,500+ trucks
- Rating
- 3.7/5
Prime Inc.
- Pay
- $50,000 - $80,000+
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Marten Transport
Marten pays $55K-$85K for reefer with regional options.
Prime Inc.
Prime reefer pays $50K-$80K+ with experience-based increases.
Home Time
Marten Transport
Marten regional and dedicated offer weekly home time.
Prime Inc.
Prime reefer is primarily OTR, 2-3 weeks out.
Benefits
Marten Transport
Health, 401(k), PTO, late-model Volvos and Kenworths.
Prime Inc.
CDL training, health, 401(k), lease purchase.
Training/Support
Marten Transport
Accepts 6-month drivers. No CDL school.
Prime Inc.
Full CDL training program for no experience.
Equipment/Technology
Marten Transport
Late-model Volvos and Kenworths with newer reefer units.
Prime Inc.
Mix of company and independent trucks.
Our Verdict
Marten for better home time and equipment. Prime for CDL training from scratch and the option to try other divisions. If you already have CDL, Marten is the better reefer employer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better reefer equipment?
Marten runs late-model Volvos and Kenworths, generally newer than Prime's fleet.
Can I train from scratch?
At Prime, yes. Marten requires at least 6 months CDL experience.
Which has better home time for reefer?
Marten, with more regional and dedicated reefer positions.