Werner Enterprises vs Heartland Express
Werner is a diversified mega carrier accepting new CDL graduates. Heartland focuses on short-haul with better home time but prefers experienced drivers.
Werner Enterprises
- Pay
- $52,000 - $80,000
- Fleet
- 8,000+ trucks
- Rating
- 3.8/5
Heartland Express
- Pay
- $55,000 - $80,000
- Fleet
- 5,000+ trucks
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Werner Enterprises
Werner pays $52K-$80K with dedicated at the higher end.
Heartland Express
Heartland pays $55K-$80K on shorter haul lanes.
Home Time
Werner Enterprises
OTR 2-3 weeks; dedicated and regional weekly.
Heartland Express
Short-haul model gets many drivers home weekly or more.
Benefits
Werner Enterprises
Health, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, rider/pet.
Heartland Express
Health, 401(k) match, paid orientation, late-model trucks.
Training/Support
Werner Enterprises
Accepts CDL graduates with mentoring.
Heartland Express
Prefers 1 year experience.
Equipment/Technology
Werner Enterprises
Modern fleet averaging 2-3 years.
Heartland Express
Late-model Freightliners.
Where they actually differ
The scores above are our reading. This part is just the two carriers' profiles side by side — divisions, what they ask of a new hire, where they run, and which benefits only one of them lists.
Werner Enterprises
- Founded
- 1956
- Fleet
- 8,000+ trucks
- Drivers
- 10,000+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Intermodal
- Experience wanted
- Recent graduates accepted (with CDL training)
- Strongest states
- Nebraska, Texas and Ohio
Werner Enterprises (Omaha, NE) remains one of the largest truckload carriers in North America in 2026, with 8,000+ trucks and dedicated, OTR, regional, and intermodal seats across the Lower 48, Canada, and Mexico. New CDL grads commonly start near the low-to-mid $50k range on student/OTR tracks; experienced dedicated and specialized drivers more often land $70k–$80k+ depending on account, miles, and bonuses. Werner’s draw is still training pipeline + modern equipment; the tradeoff is mega-carrier home-time variance on classic OTR. Compare pay and benefits below before you sign — and cross-check our best trucking companies rankings by state.
Only Werner Enterprises is strong in: Nebraska and Ohio — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Werner Enterprises and not by Heartland Express
- • Health, dental, and vision insurance
- • Paid time off
- • Rider and pet policy
- • Tuition reimbursement
Heartland Express
- Founded
- 1978
- Fleet
- 5,000+ trucks
- Drivers
- 5,000+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated
- Experience wanted
- 1 year CDL-A preferred (some recent graduate programs)
- Strongest states
- Iowa, Texas and Georgia
Heartland Express is a major irregular-route truckload carrier focused on short-to-medium haul lanes. Known for getting drivers home more frequently than typical OTR carriers, Heartland operates primarily in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S.
Only Heartland Express is strong in: Iowa and Georgia — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Heartland Express and not by Werner Enterprises
- • Medical, dental, and vision
- • Paid orientation
- • Late-model Freightliner equipment
- • Weekly home time options
Our Verdict
New drivers should choose Werner. Experienced drivers wanting maximum home time should choose Heartland. Both are solid mid-tier carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for new drivers?
Werner. Heartland prefers 1 year experience.
Which gets you home more?
Heartland, with shorter haul routes.
Are both financially stable?
Yes. Werner is publicly traded. Heartland is also publicly traded and profitable.