Schneider National vs Prime Inc.
The two most popular carriers for brand-new CDL drivers. Schneider offers company-paid training with APU trucks and diverse divisions. Prime offers more specialty options with a lease purchase path.
Schneider National
- Pay
- $50,000 - $85,000
- Fleet
- 9,500+ trucks
- Rating
- 4/5
Prime Inc.
- Pay
- $50,000 - $80,000+
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Schneider National
Schneider pays $50K-$85K with tanker and intermodal highest.
Prime Inc.
Prime pays $50K-$80K+ with specialty premiums.
Home Time
Schneider National
Regional, dedicated, intermodal offer weekly+.
Prime Inc.
Primarily OTR, 2-3 weeks out.
Benefits
Schneider National
Company-paid CDL, APU trucks, full benefits, 401(k).
Prime Inc.
CDL training, health, 401(k), lease purchase.
Training/Support
Schneider National
Highly structured CDL program with clear path to solo.
Prime Inc.
One of the largest CDL programs in the industry.
Equipment/Technology
Schneider National
APU Freightliners with telematics.
Prime Inc.
Mix of company and contractor trucks.
Our Verdict
Schneider is the safer, more consistent choice. Better equipment, better home time, company-paid training. Prime wins on specialty diversity and lease purchase. For most new drivers, Schneider is the recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CDL training is better?
Both are excellent. Schneider is more standardized; Prime is larger.
Can I try reefer at Schneider?
Schneider doesn't have a dedicated reefer division. For reefer, Prime is better.
Which has newer trucks?
Schneider's company fleet is more consistent. Prime uses a mix of company and independent trucks.