Flatbed Trucking Jobs
Flatbed drivers haul cargo on open trailers without walls or a roof, transporting building materials, steel coils, heavy machinery, lumber, and other oversized or irregularly shaped freight. The job requires hands-on load securement using chains, straps, binders, and tarps — it's the most physically demanding segment of trucking. Flatbed consistently pays more than dry van because of the skill and effort involved.
Average Pay
$60,000 - $92,000
CDL Class
CDL-A
Demand Level
High
What Is Flatbed Trucking?
Flatbed drivers haul cargo on open trailers without walls or a roof, transporting building materials, steel coils, heavy machinery, lumber, and other oversized or irregularly shaped freight. The job requires hands-on load securement using chains, straps, binders, and tarps — it's the most physically demanding segment of trucking. Flatbed consistently pays more than dry van because of the skill and effort involved.
Requirements
- Valid CDL-A license
- DOT medical card
- Physical fitness — you'll be climbing on trailers, throwing tarps, and cranking binders
- Knowledge of FMCSA cargo securement rules (393.100-136)
- Most carriers prefer 6+ months of experience, though some train new drivers
A Day in the Life
You pull into a steel mill outside Gary, Indiana at 6 AM. The yard workers are already moving I-beams with an overhead crane. You position your trailer and watch as they set four bundles of structural steel across the deck — 44,000 pounds total, each bundle separated by dunnage. This is bread-and-butter flatbed freight. Once they're done, it's your turn. You grab your chain box from the side rail and start securing. Four chains per bundle, each one threaded through a winch on the trailer rail. You check the working load limit on each chain — 5,400 pounds for 3/8-inch Grade 70 — and make sure you've got enough aggregate WLL to exceed half the cargo weight. You crank each binder tight, then go around a second time checking for slack. The whole process takes about 45 minutes. No tarps needed for steel, which is a relief. You're delivering to a construction site in Louisville, 270 miles south on I-65. The roads are flat and the weight is distributed evenly, so the truck handles well. You stop at a rest area near Indianapolis to re-check your chains — steel shifts, especially the first 50 miles after loading. One chain has loosened slightly. You crank it tight and keep moving. At the construction site, a forklift operator unloads you while you pull chains and coil them back in the box. By 2 PM you're empty and heading to a lumber yard in Lexington for your next load. This one will need tarps — lumber has to stay dry. You'll spend another 30 minutes throwing a 90-pound tarp over the stack, pulling it tight with bungees, and checking that it won't flap loose at highway speed. It's hard work, but you're earning $0.62 a mile and you didn't sit in a dock for three hours.
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Highest-paying non-hazmat, non-oversized CDL-A segment — experienced drivers regularly clear $80K+
- No waiting at docks — you load and secure at job sites, steel mills, and lumber yards, usually outdoors
- Strong sense of craftsmanship — a well-secured load is a point of pride among flatbed drivers
- Diverse freight keeps the job interesting — one week it's steel beams, the next it's wind turbine blades
Challenges
- Physically demanding — tarping a load in summer heat or freezing rain is genuinely tough work
- Higher injury risk from climbing on trailers, handling chains, and working around heavy equipment
- Weather exposure is constant — you're securing loads in rain, snow, and 100-degree heat
- Construction freight slows in winter months in northern states, reducing available loads
Top States for Flatbed Jobs
These states have the highest demand for flatbed drivers based on freight volume, industry presence, and carrier activity.
Top Companies Hiring Flatbed Drivers
Melton Truck Lines
#1Maverick Transportation
#2TMC Transportation
#3Decker Truck Line
#4System Transport
#5Ready to Start Driving?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Flatbed Trucking
How much do flatbed drivers make compared to dry van?
Flatbed drivers typically earn 15-25% more than dry van drivers. Company flatbed drivers average $0.55-$0.70 per mile compared to $0.45-$0.60 for dry van. The premium exists because flatbed requires physical labor (tarping, chaining, strapping), specialized knowledge of cargo securement, and willingness to work in all weather conditions. Owner-operators hauling flatbed can gross $2.50-$3.50 per mile on the spot market.
Is flatbed trucking hard on your body?
Yes, flatbed is the most physically demanding trucking job. You'll regularly climb 5-6 feet up onto the trailer deck, throw 70-90 pound tarps, crank chain binders with a cheater bar, and work in extreme heat or cold. Common injuries include shoulder strains, back problems, and hand injuries from chains. That said, many flatbed drivers stay in the segment for decades by staying in shape, using proper lifting technique, and wearing gloves. The physical nature of the work is exactly what some drivers prefer over sitting at a dock.
What do flatbed drivers haul?
Flatbed freight includes structural steel, lumber and building materials, heavy machinery, concrete products, pipe and tubing, military equipment, wind turbine components, prefabricated buildings, large appliances, and construction vehicles. Anything that doesn't fit in an enclosed trailer or needs to be loaded from the top or side by crane or forklift typically goes on a flatbed. The variety is one of the biggest appeals of the job.
Do flatbed drivers have to tarp every load?
Not every load, but many loads require tarps. Steel coils and beams, heavy machinery, and concrete barriers typically don't need tarps. Lumber, paper products, drywall, and anything that can be damaged by rain must be tarped. Some shippers provide tarps, but most carriers expect you to carry your own (usually 2-3 tarps in different sizes). Tarping is one of the biggest complaints among flatbed drivers — it's time-consuming and physically exhausting, especially in bad weather.
What cargo securement rules apply to flatbed?
Flatbed drivers must follow FMCSA regulations in 49 CFR 393.100-136. Key rules include: cargo must be secured with enough tiedowns to prevent shifting in any direction, the aggregate working load limit of all tiedowns must be at least 50% of the cargo weight, one tiedown is required for articles 5 feet or shorter and additional tiedowns for each additional 10 feet of length. Specific commodity rules apply to logs, metal coils, paper rolls, concrete pipe, and heavy vehicles. DOT inspectors at weigh stations actively check flatbed securement and will put you out of service for violations.