Werner Enterprises vs Prime Inc.
Werner and Prime are two of the largest carriers actively recruiting new CDL drivers. Werner focuses on dry van and dedicated. Prime offers reefer, tanker, and flatbed divisions. Both are common first carriers.
Werner Enterprises
- Pay
- $52,000 - $80,000
- Fleet
- 8,000+ trucks
- Rating
- 3.8/5
Prime Inc.
- Pay
- $50,000 - $80,000+
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Werner Enterprises
Werner pays $52K-$80K with mileage pay and safety bonuses.
Prime Inc.
Prime pays $50K-$80K+ with specialty division premiums for tanker and reefer.
Home Time
Werner Enterprises
Werner dedicated and regional offer weekly home time; OTR is 2-3 weeks.
Prime Inc.
Prime OTR is typically 2-3 weeks out with limited regional positions.
Benefits
Werner Enterprises
Werner offers health, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, rider/pet policy.
Prime Inc.
Prime provides CDL training, health, 401(k), and lease purchase options.
Training/Support
Werner Enterprises
Werner accepts CDL graduates with a structured mentoring program.
Prime Inc.
Prime's CDL training is one of the largest in the industry.
Equipment/Technology
Werner Enterprises
Werner runs a modern dry van fleet averaging 2-3 years old.
Prime Inc.
Prime's fleet includes company and contractor trucks; quality varies.
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 Prime Inc.
- • Paid time off
- • Tuition reimbursement
Prime Inc.
- Founded
- 1970
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Drivers
- 7,500+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Refrigerated, Tanker, Flatbed
- Experience wanted
- No experience required (paid CDL training available)
- Strongest states
- Missouri, Texas and Pennsylvania
Prime Inc. is one of the largest privately held trucking companies in North America, operating refrigerated, tanker, flatbed, and intermodal divisions. Based in Springfield, MO, Prime is known for their extensive CDL training program that produces thousands of new drivers annually.
Only Prime Inc. is strong in: Missouri and Pennsylvania — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Prime Inc. and not by Werner Enterprises
- • Paid CDL training program
- • Lease purchase program available
Our Verdict
Werner is better for straightforward dry van with decent home time. Prime is better for CDL training or reefer/tanker/flatbed specialization. Werner's equipment is more consistent; Prime offers more division variety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Werner or Prime better for a first job?
Werner for dry van with predictable home time. Prime if you want to specialize in reefer, tanker, or flatbed.
Does Prime's lease purchase affect this comparison?
Prime offers it; Werner does not. If you want truck ownership, Prime provides that path.
Which has newer trucks?
Werner's fleet averages 2-3 years consistently. Prime uses a mix, so equipment age varies more.