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IA · Seasonal

Agriculture & Farm Trucking Jobs in Iowa

Iowa leads the nation in corn and hog production, making it the epicenter of agricultural trucking in America. The state's 86,000+ farms generate enormous demand for grain hauling, livestock transport, and ethanol feedstock delivery. During fall harvest, every available truck in the state is pressed into service hauling corn and soybeans from field to elevator. Iowa's extensive ethanol plant network (43 plants) creates year-round demand beyond seasonal harvest work.

IA Industry Pay

$52,000 - $78,000

Top Employers

5 Companies

National Growth

+5% through 2028

Agriculture & Farm Trucking in Iowa

Iowa leads the nation in corn and hog production, making it the epicenter of agricultural trucking in America. The state's 86,000+ farms generate enormous demand for grain hauling, livestock transport, and ethanol feedstock delivery. During fall harvest, every available truck in the state is pressed into service hauling corn and soybeans from field to elevator. Iowa's extensive ethanol plant network (43 plants) creates year-round demand beyond seasonal harvest work.

Top Agriculture & Farm Trucking Employers in Iowa

1

POET LLC (ethanol)

Agriculture & Farm Trucking · Iowa

2

Iowa Select Farms

Agriculture & Farm Trucking · Iowa

3

Cargill (multiple elevators)

Agriculture & Farm Trucking · Iowa

4

Heartland Express

Agriculture & Farm Trucking · Iowa

5

Ruan Transportation

Agriculture & Farm Trucking · Iowa

Requirements for Agriculture & Farm Trucking in IA

CDL-A (CDL-B for local grain shuttle routes)
Experience with hopper bottom, livestock, or reefer trailers
Ability to operate during extended harvest hours (12-16 hour days)
Farm equipment transport may require oversize/overweight permits
Physical ability to tarp loads, climb trailers, and operate grain augers

Equipment Used in Iowa

Hopper bottom trailersGrain trailersLivestock trailersReefer trailers (produce)Flatbed (farm equipment)Belly dump trailers

Trucking in Iowa

State CDL Avg

$47,000 - $70,000

Key Industries

Agriculture (corn, soybeans, pork), Ethanol production, Meatpacking & food processing

Major Cities

Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Sioux City

Top Corridors

I-80 (east-west through Des Moines), I-35 (north-south through Des Moines)

Start Your Agriculture & Farm Trucking Career in Iowa

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Agriculture & Farm Trucking in Iowa — FAQ

How much can I earn during Iowa harvest season?

Iowa harvest season drivers typically earn $4,000-$8,000 per month during the September-November peak, with total seasonal earnings of $12,000-$24,000 for the 3-month period. Year-round agricultural positions at ethanol plants and feed mills pay $52,000-$78,000 annually.

What crops are hauled most in Iowa?

Corn is the dominant crop, followed by soybeans. Iowa produces over 2.5 billion bushels of corn annually, much of which moves by truck to local ethanol plants, feed mills, and river terminals on the Mississippi for export. Soybeans move to crushing plants and export elevators.

Are there year-round agriculture trucking jobs in Iowa?

Yes. Iowa's 43 ethanol plants, numerous feed mills, livestock operations, and fertilizer distributors need drivers year-round. Cargill, ADM, and POET operate large facilities with permanent truck driver positions. Livestock hauling for Iowa's massive hog industry is also year-round.