Heartland Express Driver Pay
Below Average — #35 of 40$55,000 - $80,000/year
Last updated: 2026-03-01
Heartland Express Pay Overview
Heartland Express focuses on short-to-medium haul lanes in the eastern U.S., which means drivers get home more frequently than typical OTR carriers. Their average length of haul is 500-600 miles, so drivers can realistically be home every week. After acquiring CFI and Smith Transport, Heartland has more route diversity.
Pay by Experience Level
CPM increases with verifiable experience — here is what to expect at each stage.
| Experience | Pay Range |
|---|---|
| 0-1 year | $0.44 - $0.50/mi |
| 1-3 years | $0.50 - $0.55/mi |
| 3-5 years | $0.55 - $0.60/mi |
| 5-10 years | $0.60 - $0.64/mi |
| 10+ years | $0.64 - $0.68/mi |
Pay by Equipment Type
| Equipment | CPM / Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dry Van (OTR) | $0.44 - $0.64/mi |
| Dry Van (Regional) | $0.48 - $0.66/mi |
| Dry Van (Dedicated) | $0.52 - $0.68/mi |
Pay by Job Type
OTR
$55,000 - $76,000
per year
Regional
$55,000 - $78,000
per year
Dedicated
$58,000 - $80,000
per year
Bonuses & Incentives
Sign-On Bonus
Up to $5,000 for experienced drivers
Safety Bonus
$0.01/mi quarterly safety bonus
Referral Bonus
$1,000 per hired referral
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel bonus program for top MPG performers
Benefits Package
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Health Insurance | Medical plans available after 60 days |
| Dental | Dental coverage included |
| Vision | Vision coverage included |
| Retirement | 401(k) with company match |
| Paid Time Off | Paid vacation after 1 year |
| Tuition Reimbursement | CDL training partnerships available |
Pay Schedule, Home Time & Per Diem
Pay Schedule
Weekly direct deposit
Home Time
Short-haul focus — most drivers home weekly, some home every few days
Per Diem
$56/day per diem available
How Heartland Express Pay Compares
Heartland Express ranks #35 out of 40 carriers tracked — rated Below Average for driver compensation.
| Company | Overall Pay Range |
|---|---|
| Heartland Express (this carrier) | $55,000 - $80,000 |
| Werner Enterprises | $52,000 - $80,000 |
| Schneider National | $50,000 - $85,000 |
| J.B. Hunt Transport Services | $55,000 - $95,000 |
| Knight-Swift Transportation | $50,000 - $85,000 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Heartland Express pay per mile?
Heartland Express pays $0.44-$0.68 per mile depending on experience. New drivers start around $0.44-$0.50/mi, with regular increases. The company focuses on shorter hauls, so total miles per week may be slightly lower than pure OTR carriers.
Does Heartland Express get you home weekly?
Yes, Heartland Express focuses on short-to-medium haul lanes (500-600 miles average) in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. Most drivers can expect weekly home time, and many are home every few days on certain accounts.
What trucks does Heartland Express run?
Heartland Express runs a fleet of late-model Freightliner Cascadias. The company maintains one of the youngest fleets in the industry, with most trucks being 2-3 years old or newer.
Does Heartland Express hire new CDL drivers?
Heartland prefers drivers with at least 1 year of CDL-A experience, but they do accept some recent graduates through their training partnerships. Check current openings for graduate-specific programs.
How often does Heartland Express pay?
Heartland Express pays weekly via direct deposit. Drivers receive their paycheck every week, and accessorial pay (detention, stop-off, etc.) is included in the same pay cycle.
Ready to Drive for Heartland Express?
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