Like many truck drivers, my driving journey began with an obsession with large vehicles. I always relished every chance to be behind the wheel of such vehicles. As my adult responsibilities increased, that hobby became my profession.
At my earlier jobs, I was just happy to drive their trucks. But as my driving expertise increased, my wants began to change. I wanted to drive the best diesel trucks, get higher pay, and have long-term benefits like healthcare and retirement plans.
These perks make driving worthwhile, so I’ve decided to make a list of “driver-centric” trucking companies in Wisconsin. These companies value your time, respect your opinion, and have solid customer bases. Here are the seven top trucking companies you can drive for in Wisconsin.
5 High-paying trucking companies in Wisconsin
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Schneider National Carriers
Source: schneider Schneiders National is a freight transportation company operating out of Green Bay, Wisconsin. They serve clients in industries like agriculture and manufacturing. Their freight includes refrigerated goods, bulk items, and heavy machinery.
The company employs different types of drivers for its local, regional, intermodal, and OTR services. So, you get to apply for what best fits your financial and lifestyle goals.
They also have other driver benefits like health insurance, life insurance, disability, home time, and a retirement plan. Additional packages include a sign-on bonus and tuition reimbursement for CDL training.
Should you experience a breakdown in the line of duty, Schneiders uses top heavy-duty towing services for their fleet maintenance.
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000
Routes: Interstate
Trailer Options: OTR, Flatbed, Tanker, Reefer, HAZMAT, Specialized, Intermodal and LTL.
Driver Benefits: Insurance (health, dental, life, disability), medical check-ups, gym membership, retirement plan, home time, flexible scheduling, dedicated routes, lease-to-purchase program, paid CDL training, ongoing training, deadhead compensation, sign-on and safety bonus.
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Roehl Transport
Source: Roehl Transport Roehl Transport started in 1962. Their transport services include general freight, construction materials, and fresh produce within local and interstate locations.
The company is a top choice for drivers because of its favorable pay structure, which ensures drivers get deserved pay raises. They also support drivers with paid training, bonuses, and various insurance packages.
Location: Marshfield, Wisconsin
Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000
Routes: Interstate
Trailer Options: OTR, Flatbed, Reefer, HAZMAT, Specialized, Local, Regional and Dedicated.
Driver Benefits: Insurance (health, dental, life, disability), flexible scheduling, sign-on and safety bonus, gym membership, PTO, paid CDL training, driver training, and dedicated routes.
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Paper Transport LLC
Source: Paper Transport For more than 20 years, Paper Transport has been a top Wisconsin freight transportation company. It conveys goods like paper, fresh produce, and mechanical equipment locally and regionally.
Paper Transport constantly pushes for driver development with sponsored training and development programs for drivers. They also provide drivers many benefits, including sign-on bonuses, insurance, and competitive pay packages.
They equally care that drivers enjoy a work-life balance with favorable schedules that ensure drivers aren’t on the road longer than necessary.
Location: De Pere, Wisconsin
Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000
Routes: Interstate
Trailer Options: OTR, Reefer, Specialized, Regional, and Dedicated.
Driver Benefits: Insurance (health, dental, life & disability), flexible scheduling, sign-on and safety bonus, health screening, vision coverage, dedicated routes, PTO, paid CDL training, rider and pet allowances.
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Fox Valley Alfalfa
Source: Fox Valley Alfalfa Mill/Facebook Fox Valley Alfalfa is a team-focused transport company in Hibert that specializes in transporting agricultural, manufacturing, and construction cargo. Some of these include animal feed, wood, and construction materials.
For drivers, benefits include competitive pay, stock ownership opportunity, and a supportive team. They also offer drivers flexible schedules and preferences for freight, which is perfect for specialized drivers.
Location: De Pere, Wisconsin
Salary Range: $50,000 – $70,000
Routes: Interstate
Trailer Options: OTR, tanker, specialized, regional, dedicated, HAZMAT, and flatbed.
Driver Benefits: Insurance (health, dental & life), flexible scheduling, sign-on and safety bonus, truck lease-to-purchase, dedicated routes, home time, deadhead compensation, rider and pet allowances.
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Marten Transport
Source: Marten.com Marten Transport has one of the best packages for Wisconsin truck drivers with its highly competitive pay, numerous bonuses, and extensive client base. Its freight includes chemicals, farm produce, refrigerated goods, and construction materials.
They also sponsor training, provide insurance and retirement plans, and even give drivers paid time off. The company considers driver schedules important to ensure their home time is unaltered.
Location: Mondovi, Wisconsin
Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000
Routes: Interstate
Trailer Options: OTR, Reefer, local, regional, dedicated, HAZMAT, LTL, and flatbed.
Driver Benefits: Insurance (health, dental, disability & life), flexible scheduling, sign-on and safety bonus, truck lease-to-purchase, dedicated routes, home time, deadhead compensation, rider and pet allowances, retirement plan, PTO, paid CDL training.
Four Ways to Find and Secure High-Paying Truck Jobs in Wisconsin
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Certifications and Endorsements
High-paying trucking jobs usually have lots of requirements to help them get the best drivers. These include certifications and endorsements such as a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and hazmat endorsements.
There are also federal requirements for drivers, like the Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card that certifies that a driver is fit to be behind the wheel. You should also take regular industry training and refresher courses to update your driving knowledge.
These documents give you the clearance and qualification to take on specialized trucking roles that require certain skill sets. Drivers with these documents are sought-after in the trucking industry.
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Networking
The importance of networking in the trucking industry can’t overemphasized. It’s a casual way of getting yourself acquainted with employers and other drivers who can provide you with top-paying job opportunities.
How do you do this in the trucking industry? You can regularly attend industry events like trade shows and job fairs and join industry social media groups and online forums. These platforms let you share your expertise and experience, which, in turn, gives you the right visibility and referrals.
Some associations that make these activities possible include the Wisconsin Motor Carriers Association (WMCA) and the Wisconsin Towing Service.
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Trucking Job Boards and Recruiting Platforms
We now have industry-specific job boards like The Trucker that only post truck driving jobs. There are also general job platforms like Indeed and Glassdoor, where trucking companies place high-paying driving jobs.
On these platforms, you can also filter job listings by pay range, location, cargo, truck type and other specifics. Some platforms even provide details like bonuses, compensations, and even retirement packages.
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Jobs For Regional and Dedicated Routes
Regional and dedicated routes jobs are among the most stable and high-paying jobs in the trucking industry. The schedule is usually consistent, and the client routes rarely change. So, you know when you’ll work and when you’ll go home.
Drivers on such routes should always prepare for emergencies and the best ways to tackle them. For instance, if your truck breaks down, you must be able to assess a reliable tow truck company.
What are the most common freight types in Wisconsin?
A major part of Wisconsin’s economy thrives off agriculture and manufacturing. As a result, the freight in the Badger State usually contains agricultural products, refrigerated goods, beverages, and heavy equipment.
What are the Unique benefits for Truck Drivers in Wisconsin?
Due to Wisconsin’s agricultural prowess, consistent freight is available for drivers. Also, companies usually offer bonuses to drivers of these seasonal freight.
Are there Wisconsin Trucking Companies that provide modern, high-tech trucks for drivers?
There are still companies that prioritize the comfort and safety of their drivers. Their trucks have advanced safety features, ergonomic cab designs, comfortable sleeper cabs, and built-in GPS. Schneider National and Roehl Transport are examples of such companies.