No matter whether you’re a new CDL graduate or a seasoned driver, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Melton Truck Lines.
With a reputation for safety, great pay and a family-like atmosphere, Melton is one of the leading trucking companies in the industry.
Melton Truck Lines Salaries
If you’ve just graduated from trucking school or you’re looking to change employers, Melton is a great place to consider working. Read on to learn more about the company’s history, benefits, pay and more.
How much do Melton drivers get paid? Well, that depends on how much OTR (over the road) experience you have. The more experience, the higher the pay. And drivers are given raises based on how many miles they’ve driven with Melton.
On average, Melton drivers earn $71,893 a year.
Pay packages are between 52cpm and 65cpm. Melton claims that they have positioned themselves in the top 1% of pay and benefits in the country.
Melton Truck Lines Base Pay Per Mile (2024 Update)
| Qualified Driving Experience | Pay Rate Per Mile |
| 0-5 months | 52 CPM |
| 6-11 months | 53 CPM |
| 1-3 years | 58 CPM |
| 3+ years | 60 CPM |
| After 120,000 Melton miles | 60 CPM |
| After 240,000 Melton miles | 61 CPM |
| After 360,000 Melton miles | 62 CPM |
| After 600,000 Melton miles | 63 CPM |
| After 900,000 Melton miles | 64 CPM |
| After 1,200,000 Melton miles | 65 CPM |
Melton’s Pay Changes & Salary Trends
Additional pay and bonuses are also available, including:
- Tarp pay: $40 a load
- HAZMAT/Canada pay: 3cpm extra
- Fuel bonus: up to 4cpm
- Stop pay: $25 per additional stop
- Over-dimensional pay: an additional 8 cpm
- Referral bonus: $1,000
Melton History
Melton Truck Lines first opened its doors in 1954 after Melton family, Bert and Gladys, purchased a few trucks.
Operations started in Crossett, Arkansas with the plan to haul roofing material and lumber throughout Missouri, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arkansas.
After just three years, Melton had six trucks and 23 trailers.
Unfortunately, Bert would pass away in 1957, leaving the company under his wife’s control.
William Duncan McRae bought the company in 1958 and retained the Melton name out of respect for Bert.
Over the years, Melton has maintained a friendly, family atmosphere and is quick to adopt new technologies that put them ahead of their competitors.
Today, the company is a leader in the industry, with over 1,000 company drivers.
If you’re looking for a reliable, stable trucking company to drive for, Melton is a great choice.
Working for Melton
With an excellent salary, great benefits and a family atmosphere, Melton is a great place for truckers to work. You’ll find both CDL and non CDL driving jobs available all throughout the year.
Let’s take a closer look at the company’s benefits, training opportunities and how orientation works.
Company Benefits
Melton offers excellent benefits to its employees, including:
- Health – Consumer Driven Health Plan, BCBS Network and 100% Preventative Care coverage. Onsite clinics are available in Laredo and Tulsa terminals with free care to employees.
- Dental – $50 deductible; 100% preventative coverage; 80% basic; 50% major; $1500 maximum annually; $1500 lifetime max; $50 orthodontic deductible
- Vision – Up to $200 in reimbursement annually for employees. Up to $100 annually children or spouse.
- Paid vacation – 1 week after one year; 2 weeks after two years; 3 weeks after 10 years.
- 401(k) – Offered after three years of employment.
- Cafeteria plan – A flexible spending account.
- Short-term disability – $51.82 per month.
- Home on Christmas day.
- Fuel bonus program.
- Pass it On bonus.
- $20,000 life insurance for free.
- Supplemental life insurance.
- Safety recognition program.
- Free gym/personal trainer.
- Pet and rider program.
Melton has competitive pay rates too (more on that later). It’s no wonder the company has developed a reputation for hiring excellent drivers.
Driver Equipment
Melton has one of the most advanced fleets in the industry. The average age of Melton tractors is 2.5 years, and trailers are, on average, 3.5 years old. Drivers have the chance to drive new Kenworth T660s.
The company currently has over 500 53’ trailers and more than 1,100 48’ trailers.
Does Melton Offer Paid CDL Training?
Are you just getting started as a driver?
Melton does offer truck driver training for recent graduates, but they do not run a truck driving school like some other transport companies.
To be considered for a driver position, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 21 years of age.
- Must possess a valid CDL Class A license from the state you live in.
- Must not have more than 3 moving violations within the last three years.
- Must not have more than 2 preventable accidents within the last three years.
- Must meet all DOT regulations, including a physical and NIDA-approved drug test.
- Must not have any DUIs, DWIs or BACs within the last 5 years.
- Must not have had more than 7 jobs within the last three years.
- Must pass a Melton integrity interview and meet the company’s availability and attendance requirements.
- Must not have had any felony convictions within the last 7 years.
Once you’ve earned your Class A CDL, you can submit your application and schedule your Melton Truck Lines orientation if you meet the company’s requirements.
Melton’s Wellness Program
Melton takes health and wellness very seriously.
According to their website, one of the company’s 12 traditions is to count on one another to be there.
It’s in the company’s best interest to keep employees happy, healthy and productive.
Injuries, unhealthy lifestyles and absenteeism affect all employees.
Melton makes it easy to create a fitness program, and offers various initiatives designed to keep drivers active and healthy.
Drivers gain access to a variety of fitness programs through an organized calendar to stay in tip-top shape – even when out on the road.
In addition, the company has on-site IMWell Health Clinic facilities in Tulsa and Laredo that offer:
- Chronic disease monitoring, evaluation and treatment management.
- Acute care, including common illnesses and minor injuries.
- Wound care and minor procedures, such as skin tag removal and simple biopsies.
- Diagnostic screenings and testing, including on-site lab work.
- Electronic medical records for added convenience.
All clinics are staffed by licensed nurses and healthcare providers, and all services are free for employees and their dependents.
Melton Truck Lines Driver Reviews
What do drivers have to say about Melton?
The vast majority have nothing but good things to say about the company.
Excellent pay, great quality home time and steady miles are just a few of the things drivers love about Melton.
Pay raises, a family atmosphere and excellent benefits also attract drivers to the company.
I’ve only found a handful of negative reviews for the company, and those former employees were never really clear about why they disliked Melton.
That being said, I’ve found hundreds of positive driver reviews of the company.
Melton does more than just supply their drivers with great pay and steady work (although those are two of the most important things).
They go the extra mile to take care of their employees by offering excellent benefits, wellness programs to promote health and home time to ensure that drivers maintain a healthy work/life balance.