Launched in 1990, Knight Transportation offers numerous employment opportunities for new and experienced drivers. A family atmosphere with a tight-knit culture, Knight has a reputation for having one of the lowest turnover rates in the business.
Drivers are known by name, and you have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with team members and managers.
That face-to-face interaction allows drivers to forget successful relationships with everyone they interact with in the company.
But what about the pay rate?
Not Surprisingly, Knight Trucking offers solid pay and excellent benefits.
- $0.40-$0.49/mile depending on the length of the haul
To get a better idea of what the pay is like, our 3rd-party surveys of 19 current or recent company drivers offer some insight into how much Knight drivers earn:
- Truck drivers: $57,710
- OTR driver monthly: $4,809
The average pay listed on Glassdoor is competitive, and about on par with what most other trucking companies offer. But some drivers will earn more depending on where they’re located and the length of the haul.
Let’s take a closer look at what positions are available at Knight and the pay/benefits offered.
Knight Transportation Jobs and Benefits
Knight offers numerous driver positions across three departments in the company:
- Dry van
- Refrigerated
- Port & rail
Port & rail has the fewest opportunities, with most positions only available on the West coast. Refrigerated positions are available throughout the country, but dry van positions are the most prevalent.
While the pay will vary depending on the length of the haul and the location, you’ll find that the bonuses and benefits are roughly the same across the board. Here’s what you can expect to receive as a company driver:
Quarterly Bonus Pay
- $0.02/mile for production
- $0.01/mile for safety
- $0.02/mile for fuel
- Driver referral bonus
- Bonus for HAZMAT inspections
Knight says that most solo truckers earn $6,000 per year in bonuses, which is a nice perk for new drivers.
Benefits
- Paid time off (after 90 days of working with Knight)
- Medical, vision, life and dental insurance
- 401(k) and company match
- Rider program (can bring family member, spouse, pet or child)
- 30+ service centers throughout the country with laundry and free Wi-Fi
Knight Transportation Driver Requirements
To drive for Knight, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- 21 years of age
- Valid Class A CDL
- At least 3 months of OTR experience
- Must pass DOT and functional capacity test
As for home time, some positions offer time at home every day or week, but over the road positions will require longer times out on the road. With that said, even OTR positions get more home time than what you’d get with most other trucking companies.
Knight is very understanding of the need to balance work and home life, so they’re pretty flexible when it comes to scheduling home time and will work with you to find a schedule that suits your needs.
Knight Transportation Trucking School
What if you don’t have your CDL yet, but you’re interested in working for Knight Transportation?
The company does offer driver training, and students can earn money while training for their new career.
Training with Knight will allow you to become prequalified before you attend a CDL school, you can also obtain your CDL through Knight if you choose.
Class sizes are small, which means students receive personalized attention. Refresher training is also available to veteran drivers.
In order to enroll in the driver training program, you’ll need to:
- Pass a skills test
- Pass a written exam
- Obtain CDL instruction permit from your state
Once you meet these qualifications, you can begin training within a week.
Knight doesn’t require students to sign a contract, and the training will take place at the company’s Phoenix terminal.
You will be required to secure your own transportation and lodging during your training, which takes 2-3 weeks. During that time, you will receive $400 per week.
After the CDL course, you’ll go on to become a Squire. Squires receive individual attention from driver trainers. This is where you’ll get hands-on experience. Training as a Squire lasts 4-6 weeks, and you’ll get home time 2 to 3 times during this period.
Next, you’ll take the road test and the CDL skills test.
Once you pass the test, you’ll drive as a solo driver for 4-5 months, and after you have 30,000 solo OTR miles under your belt, you’ll become an official Knight Driving Associate.
Independent Contractors Driving For Knight Trans
Knight also works with independent contractors, and also offers competitive pay as well as other perks.
Just like company drivers, independent contractors can take advantage of support 24/7 at any one of Knight’s 30 service centers throughout the United States.
Contractors also receive:
- Flexible lease payments
- Discounts on tires, maintenance and insurance
- Options to lease multiple trucks
- Flexible home time
- Dispatch is single-source
- No fee to rent trailers
- Discounts on fuel
- Weekly settlements
- Extra pay for deadhead miles
In order to drive as an independent contractor for Knight, you must meet the following requirements:
- 1 year of OTR experience within 5 years
- At least 24 years old
- No more than 2 moving violations within the last 2 years
- No more than 1 preventable accident within the last 2 years
- Must have completed the Contractor Qualification Process
Independent contractors can take advantage of flexible home time that suits their lifestyle.
Knight Transportation offers great pay, excellent benefits and the opportunity for potential drivers to earn their CDL license through personalized training. As a leader in the industry, Knight is a great company to work for, and past employees rate their experience well.