Landstar System Driver Pay
Top Tier — #1 of 40$150,000 - $300,000+ gross (owner-operators)/year
Last updated: 2026-03-01
Landstar System Pay Overview
Landstar is an owner-operator-only carrier — they have zero company drivers. BCOs (Business Capacity Owners) receive 65-80% of the freight revenue depending on the load. After deducting truck payment, fuel, insurance, and maintenance, net take-home is typically $70,000-$120,000 for well-managed operations. Landstar's no-forced-dispatch model gives BCOs complete freedom to choose loads.
Pay by Experience Level
CPM increases with verifiable experience — here is what to expect at each stage.
| Experience | Pay Range |
|---|---|
| 0-1 year | Not applicable — owner-operator model |
| 1-3 years | $150,000 - $200,000 gross |
| 3-5 years | $200,000 - $250,000 gross |
| 5-10 years | $220,000 - $280,000 gross |
| 10+ years | $250,000 - $300,000+ gross |
Pay by Equipment Type
| Equipment | CPM / Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dry Van (BCO) | 70-75% of revenue |
| Flatbed (BCO) | 72-78% of revenue |
| Specialized/Heavy Haul | 70-80% of revenue |
| Step Deck | 72-78% of revenue |
Pay by Job Type
OTR (BCO)
$150,000 - $300,000+ gross
per year
Flatbed
$180,000 - $280,000 gross
per year
Specialized
$200,000 - $350,000+ gross
per year
Bonuses & Incentives
Sign-On Bonus
No sign-on bonuses — BCO revenue-based model
Safety Bonus
Safety awards and recognition programs
Referral Bonus
Referral programs through agents
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel discount program (saves $0.10-$0.25/gal)
Benefits Package
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Health Insurance | Occupational accident insurance available (not employer-provided) |
| Dental | Not employer-provided — BCOs are independent contractors |
| Vision | Not employer-provided — BCOs are independent contractors |
| Retirement | Not employer-provided — BCOs manage own retirement |
| Paid Time Off | Not applicable — independent contractors set own schedules |
| Tuition Reimbursement | Not applicable |
Pay Schedule, Home Time & Per Diem
Pay Schedule
Weekly settlements via direct deposit
Home Time
Self-determined — no forced dispatch, choose your own loads
Per Diem
Owner-operators can deduct per diem on taxes ($69/day IRS rate)
How Landstar System Pay Compares
Landstar System ranks #1 out of 40 carriers tracked — rated Top Tier for driver compensation.
| Company | Overall Pay Range |
|---|---|
| Landstar System (this carrier) | $150,000 - $300,000+ gross (owner-operators) |
| 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 do Landstar owner-operators make?
Landstar BCOs gross $150,000-$300,000+ annually, with net take-home of $70,000-$120,000+ after expenses (truck payment, fuel, insurance, maintenance). Specialized and heavy-haul BCOs can gross even more. Earnings depend heavily on miles, load selection, and expense management.
What percentage does Landstar pay?
Landstar BCOs receive 65-80% of the freight revenue, depending on the type of load and whether it comes through a Landstar agent or the Landstar MaxxForce load board. The average is around 72-75% of linehaul revenue.
Does Landstar have company drivers?
No, Landstar is exclusively an owner-operator carrier. All drivers are independent contractors called BCOs (Business Capacity Owners) who own or lease their own trucks. Landstar provides the freight, back-office support, and insurance programs.
What does it cost to lease on to Landstar?
Leasing on to Landstar as a BCO requires your own truck, insurance (occupational accident insurance available through Landstar), and operating authority or operating under Landstar's authority. Weekly deductions include insurance, fuel card purchases, and Qualcomm fees.
Is Landstar good for owner-operators?
Landstar is consistently rated one of the best carriers for owner-operators. No forced dispatch, high revenue percentages, a strong freight network through agents, and fuel discount programs make it a top choice. The company has been serving owner-operators since 1968.
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