Roadrunner Transportation
$58,000 - $88,000OTR, Regional, LTL, Owner-Operator
High Demand
Owner Operator Jobs in New Jersey
Browse owner-op trucking positions across New Jersey with top carriers hiring now.
Average Pay
$178,000 - $355,000+ gross
Demand Level
High
Top Carriers
5+ Hiring
Key Cities
5+ Markets
Owner-Op Trucking in New Jersey
Owner-operators in New Jersey benefit from the Northeast's premium freight rates, driven by high demand and limited parking. Spot market rates on lanes out of the tri-state area consistently rank among the highest in the country. The market for independent operators in New Jersey is high, with multiple freight brokers and load boards showing strong load availability.
Top Companies Hiring Owner-Op Drivers in NJ
View Company
Landstar System
$150,000 - $300,000+ gross (owner-operators)OTR, Flatbed, Specialized, Owner-Operator
Mercer Transportation
$150,000 - $280,000+ gross (owner-operators)OTR, Flatbed, Specialized, Owner-Operator
Werner Enterprises
$52,000 - $80,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Intermodal
Schneider National
$50,000 - $85,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Tanker, Intermodal
Top Cities for Owner-Op Jobs in New Jersey
Edison
New Jersey
Carteret
New Jersey
Paterson
New Jersey
Jersey City
New Jersey
Elizabeth
New Jersey
Key Freight Routes in New Jersey
1
NJ Turnpike/I-95 (full state)
2
I-78 (Newark to PA)
3
I-80 (northern NJ east-west)
Requirements for Owner-Op Driving in NJ
- Valid CDL-A license with 2+ years verifiable experience
- Own or lease a truck meeting carrier/DOT specifications
- Active motor carrier authority (MC number) or willingness to lease onto a carrier
- Current IFTA registration and fuel tax compliance
- Commercial auto liability insurance ($1M minimum for most carriers)
- Clean CSA scores and satisfactory safety rating
Start Your Owner-Op Driving Career in New Jersey
Submit your application and get matched with companies hiring owner-op drivers in NJ.
Owner-Op Trucking Jobs in New Jersey — FAQs
How much do owner-op truck drivers make in New Jersey?
Owner-Op truck drivers in New Jersey earn $178,000 - $355,000+ gross annually, depending on experience, endorsements, and carrier. Pay rates in New Jersey run above the national average due to higher cost of living and dense freight markets. Sign-on bonuses of $3,000 to $15,000 are common at major carriers actively hiring in NJ.
Is New Jersey a good state to base an owner-operator business?
New Jersey offers high freight volumes for owner-operators, with dense population centers and premium outbound rates. Operating costs including fuel, permits, and insurance should be factored against the state's load-to-truck ratio when choosing a home base.
Are trucking companies in New Jersey hiring owner-op drivers in 2026?
Yes — owner-op driver demand in New Jersey is high heading into 2026. Carriers operating in New Jersey are actively recruiting owner-op drivers with competitive pay packages and benefits to fill open positions. Check individual carrier listings for current openings and application requirements in NJ.