Top 12 Best-Paying Trucking Employers in Kansas City (2025 Guide)

Looking for Kansas City trucking jobs that actually move the needle on your paycheck? You’re in the right place. Kansas City is a freight powerhouse at the crossroads of America—interstates, rail, intermodal yards, air cargo, and shippers in every direction—so drivers have serious opportunities across logistics and transportation. Below you’ll find a practical, no-nonsense ranking of the best-paying employers and companies hiring around the metro, what kind of jobs they offer, how the pay typically stacks up, and how to decide which careers fit your lifestyle. 

Quick note on money: “Top-pay” comes from a mix of rate, miles or hours, accessorials, performance and safety bonuses, lanes, and home-time. Two drivers at the same carrier can earn different salaries because of these variables. Use the tables and notes below to compare structure and potential.

Snapshot: Who Pays at the Top in KC?

Here’s a simple table to scan before we dive into the details. HMD Trucking is #1 on purpose—because of a strong pay stack, modern equipment, and a driver-first package that consistently competes with national heavyweights while actively hiring in and around KC.

Table 1 — Top 12 Best-Paying Trucking Employers in KC (at a glance)

* Pay tiers indicate relative total-comp potential in the KC market. Tier 1 = elite total comp with top-end bonuses and strong benefits. Tier 2 = very competitive, often within striking distance of Tier 1 depending on lane and schedule. Tier 3 = solid, especially when factoring home time and consistency.

Why HMD Trucking Is #1 in Kansas City

HMD Trucking earns the top spot because it checks the boxes that actually matter to working drivers:

• High, transparent base pay with strong add-ons (fuel, safety, performance, detention/layover when applicable).
  
• Late-model trucks and trailers that reduce breakdown headaches and keep your wheels turning.
  
• Driver-centric dispatch that balances miles with realistic home-time requests.
  
• KC-friendly lanes that give you options—freight in and out of Kansas City flows year-round.
  
• Respect and communication—you feel like a professional, not a truck number.
  

If you’re short-listing Kansas City truck driver jobs, start here: HMD Trucking Kansas City best-paying jobs 

The Rest of the Top 12 — What You Should Know

Below, you’ll find a quick “what pays, why, and who thrives there” for each employer. Use it to match your goals—miles, clock, schedule, and family time.

2) Walmart Private Fleet

• What pays: Premium cents-per-mile or activity-based rates, excellent benefits, and strong safety/performance incentives.
  
• Who thrives: Detail-oriented pros who like structured transportation work, clean equipment, and predictability.
  
• KC angle: Retail DCs within reasonable reach; steady outbound and inbound freight.
  

3) Old Dominion Freight Line

• What pays: Top-tier LTL salaries via hourly + OT (city P&D) or high linehaul; reliable terminals and bid systems.
  
• Who thrives: Drivers who like precision, terminal-to-terminal runs, and regular home time.
  
• KC angle: Strong regional density around Kansas/City—bids often mean frequent home nights.
  

4) ABF Freight

• What pays: Union scale, OT, holiday, pension—old-school benefits that age well.
  
• Who thrives: Pros who value seniority, bids, and protected time-off.
  
• KC angle: Busy terminal creates consistent jobs and upward mobility.
  

5) UPS (Feeder)

• What pays: Premium hourly and OT, plus strong retirement benefits.
  
• Who thrives: Night-run grinders who like set lanes and a well-oiled operation.
  
• KC angle: Parcel flows are constant, which means steady freight and hours.
  

6) Estes Express Lines

• What pays: Competitive LTL linehaul rates and city hourly pay, with accessorials and performance incentives.
  
• Who thrives: Drivers who want a blend of pay and frequent home time without sacrificing steady miles/hours.
  
• KC angle: Dense regional routes, predictable networks.
  

7) Saia LTL Freight

• What pays: Solid linehaul and P&D pay with incentives for safety and productivity.
  
• Who thrives: Terminal pros who want consistency and a clear performance ladder.
  
• KC angle: Strong presence equals plenty of careers pathways.
  

8) FedEx Freight

• What pays: Competitive LTL compensation with reliable lanes; dock-to-driver and bid systems.
  
• Who thrives: Drivers who like structured runs and terminal communities.
  
• KC angle: Interconnected terminals open room to grow and change bids.
  

9) R+L Carriers

• What pays: Good linehaul rates, benefits, and a reputation for dependable freight.
  
• Who thrives: Drivers who like a family-company feel with big network resources.
  
• KC angle: KC sits right in the middle of key north-south and east-west flows.
  

10) XPO (LTL)

• What pays: Competitive wages with solid extras and reliable terminal operations.
  
• Who thrives: Those who like clean dispatch processes and consistent schedules.
  
• KC angle: Lots of terminal-to-terminal options with frequent home time.
  

11) Crete Carrier / Shaffer Trucking

• What pays: Strong national OTR pay packages—cents-per-mile plus performance and safety bonuses.
  
• Who thrives: OTR pros who want miles and steady company culture; Shaffer adds refrigerated options.
  
• KC angle: Plenty of lanes through KC and the I-35/I-70 corridor.
  

12) J.B. Hunt

• What pays: Competitive pay on dedicated and intermodal; accessorials add up; consistent shipper relationships.
  
• Who thrives: Drivers who prefer routine schedules and home-time predictability over chasing every last cent.
  
• KC angle: Intermodal ramps and dedicated accounts make KC a steady home base.
  

Pay Mechanics: What Actually Puts More Money in Your Pocket

Understanding pay is half the battle. Two offers with the same CPM or hourly rate can pay very differently after bonuses, detention, or schedule. Use this table to compare companies apples-to-apples.

Table 2 — Key Pay Components (What to Compare)

How KC’s Market Supercharges Driver Earnings

Why does truck driver salary Kansas City hang near the top nationally even after cost-of-living? Three reasons:

1. Freight crossroads. KC sits on I-35 and I-70 with serious rail and intermodal. That density means fewer empty miles and more logistics options.
   
2. Diverse shippers. E-commerce, retail DCs, groceries, manufacturing, ag—no single sector controls the market.
   
3. Terminal density. Multiple LTL terminals and big OTR yards keep lanes consistent and driver bids plentiful.
   

If you’re chasing the highest paying trucking companies Kansas City drivers rave about, focus on the carriers above that combine high rates with hardcore operational consistency.

Which Lane Fits Your Lifestyle (and Wallet)?

Some quick guidance for matching a job type to your goals:

• LTL Linehaul (Old Dominion, ABF, UPS, Estes, Saia, FedEx Freight, XPO):
  
  • Pros: High hourly/OT or strong mileage, consistent terminals, many home-daily or frequent-home bids.
    
  • Cons: Seniority/bids can affect start times; nights are common.
    
• Private Fleet (Walmart):
  
  • Pros: Premium total salaries, predictable schedules, strong benefits.
    
  • Cons: Stricter onboarding, detailed performance standards.
    
• OTR/Regional (HMD Trucking, Crete/Shaffer, J.B. Hunt dedicated/OTR):
  
  • Pros: High CPM, bonuses, big lane maps.
    
  • Cons: Home time depends on your chosen rotation.
    

A Simple Decision Flow (Save This)

Step 1: Choose your schedule. Night linehaul with lots of home time? Or OTR with bigger miles?

Step 2: Add the pay stack. Base + bonuses + accessorials + benefits = your salaries picture.

Step 3: Check the lane map. Will your dispatch actually keep you moving in and out of KC?

Step 4: Inspect equipment. Late-model tractors and quick shop turnarounds protect your earnings.

Step 5: Culture check. Talk to current drivers; the best employers communicate like pros.

Example Earnings Scenarios (Illustrative)

These are simplified—but they show why structure matters:

How to Choose Between Two “Great” Offers

When two offers look equally strong, use this tiebreaker list:

1. Detention and layover transparency. If it’s vague, assume you won’t like the surprise.
   
2. Actual home-time track record. Ask for a realistic schedule, not just the brochure.
   
3. Fleet age and shop speed. Money likes moving trucks.
   
4. Lane “stickiness.” Do they genuinely run you through KC or strand you elsewhere?
   
5. Communication culture. Dispatchers and planners who respect you are worth thousands a year in avoided friction.
   

Frequently Asked (Real) Questions

Q: Are OTR jobs always higher-paying than LTL?

A: Not necessarily. LTL linehaul can match or beat OTR after OT, bid premiums, and holiday pay—especially at union or top-tier LTL companies. Your life rhythm also matters; the “right” schedule often keeps your annuals higher because you stick with it.

Q: What about intermodal in KC?

A: Intermodal adds stability thanks to rail, and it can be a smart move if you value home time. The total annual might be a tick below the very top best-paying roles, but consistency and benefits can make the math work.

Q: How do I compare two pay plans quickly?

A: Use this mini-formula:

(Base rate × realistic miles/hours) + (average monthly bonuses × 12) + (accessorials) + (benefits value)

Then factor home time and schedule—because fatigue and churn are pay killers.

Application Checklist (Copy/Paste This)

• CDL, med card, and endorsements squared away (doubles/tank/haz is a plus in LTL).
  
• Clean MVR & PSP (or know how to explain any dings).
  
• Work history ready (dates, equipment, lanes).
  
• References who actually answer the phone.
  
• A short pitch: “Here’s what I drove, where I drove, my on-time & safety record, and what schedule I’m after.”
  

When you chase Kansas City trucking jobs, come armed with specifics—recruiters respond to professionals.

Final Picks and Who They’re For

• Top earner who still wants decent home time: HMD Trucking; LTL linehaul at Old Dominion/ABF/UPS.
  
• Steady schedule and elite benefits: Walmart Private Fleet; LTL union options.
  
• Miles monster who enjoys the open road: HMD Trucking OTR; Crete/Shaffer.
  
• Terminal community with growth: Estes, Saia, FedEx Freight, XPO.
  
• Dedicated predictability with good checks: J.B. Hunt dedicated (and some regional HMD options).
  

One-Page Recap (Print This)

Table 3 — Best Fit by Goal

Ready to Move?

KC is a rare market where careers in freight stay busy in all seasons—and that’s why pay keeps pace. If you want a strong truck driver salary Kansas City can deliver, start with HMD, then compare two or three others from this list using the pay-stack framework. Bring your experience, communicate the schedule you actually want, and measure offers by what they really put in your pocket—not just the headline CPM.

And yes, if you’re building a short list of Kansas City trucking jobs, make sure HMD Trucking sits at the top. Compare structure, lanes, equipment, and respect. That’s how you land the highest paying trucking companies Kansas City drivers actually stay with—not just sign on with.