Founded by CL Werner in 1956, Werner Trucking is one of the leading trucking companies in the world with coverage in North America, South America, Asia, Australia, Europe and Africa.
As one of the five largest carriers in the U.S., Werner is a top choice for both rookie and experienced drivers.
If you’re considering a career at Werner, you may be wondering how much drivers earn and what career opportunities are available. We’ll cover these points in our detailed guide below.
Werner Trucking Careers
Before we even talk about pay rates, it’s important for you to understand what career opportunities are available to you as a driver.
With a fleet of 24,000 trailers and 7,100 trucks, Werner offers a number of different driver opportunities.
Regional
Regional drivers haul many different types of freight, but they stay in one specific region of the country. Drivers enjoy great pay, home time every week, benefits and steady work opportunities.
Dedicated
Werner’s dedicated drivers haul freight for a specific customer. Typically, the area of operation is confined to 3-7 states. Most dedicated drivers enjoy weekly home time as well as benefits, steady work and excellent pay.
Team Drivers
Werner’s streamlined system eliminates delays and allows team drivers to get up to 1,000 miles in a single day. As a team driver, you’ll drive the newest equipment and you’ll use the most advanced technological systems in the industry. You’ll also earn bonus pay for all of the miles you run. Sign-on bonuses are also offered.
TCU
The TCU division started in 1992 and now boasts more than 600 power units and 800 trailers. A large percentage of Werner’s units are dedicated operations with special equipment and on-site management.
Flatbed
One of the oldest services offered by Werner, this division boasts 250 trucks and over 500 48ft. flatbed trailers. Drivers are equipped with binders, chains, a full set of tarps and straps to ensure that all products are properly secured.
Canadian
Qualified drivers also have the opportunity to drive for Werner’s Canadian division.
Student Driver Program
Just getting started in the industry? The Werner trucking school offers paid training and in some cases, tuition reimbursement.
Driver Trainer
If you have a passion for helping others, becoming a driver trainer may be the right choice for you.
Werner’s training program sets new drivers on the right path to success.
Werner Owner-Operators
Werner Trucking also recruits owner-operators, offering schedule flexibility and steady work.
All owner operators must meet the following requirements:
- At least 21 years of age
- Verifiable and recent tractor trailer experience
- Hold a valid Class A CDL license
- Meet all DOT requirements
- A stable and verifiable work history
- Acceptable driving record
- Pass a company physical and drug screening
Werner Trucking offers a variety of career opportunities for drivers of all experience levels.
Werner Enterprises Benefits and Perks
Whether you work as a regional driver or an owner operator, all Werner employees enjoy a variety of benefits.
Company Driver Benefits
- Medical and dental (PPO; eligible after 30 days of employment)
- Basic life insurance ($7,500)
- Vision (eligible after 30 days of employment)
- 401(k) retirement plan (fully vested after 5 years)
- Stock purchase plan (company will match 15% of your plan up to $20,000)
- Employee assistance program
- Bereavement leave
- Onsite fitness and recreation facilities
- Optional benefits
Owner Operator Benefits
- Medical and dental (PPO; eligible after 30 days of employment)
- Basic life insurance ($7,500)
- Vision (eligible after 30 days of employment)
- $1,000 sign-on bonus for single and $5,000 for team drivers
- Paid permits, plates and PrePass
- Paid authorized scale tickets
- Toll card and paid authorized tolls included
- 85% no-touch freight
- Group rates available for tractor insurance
- Fuel surcharge for empty and loaded
- Tire discounts
- Dedicated dispatchers
- Home time flexibility
- Direct deposit and weekly settlements
- Opportunity to earn more miles through training
Opportunities are available in the company’s dedicated, van, TCU, flatbed, regional and teams departments. Owner operators can bring a passenger along as long as they have a Werner rider pass.
Company drivers can also earn bonuses and enjoy the benefit of driving the latest, most advanced equipment in the industry.
Other Werner advantages include:
- Rider and pet policy (year round)
- Scale pre-pass
- Toll, fuel and cab cards
- PIKEPASS and E-ZPass
- Load optimization
- 24-hour maintenance
- Truck tracking
- Assigned dispatcher and equipment
Through the Werner Trucking lease purchase program, you also have the opportunity to own your own truck, earn more money and take control of your schedule. You’ll get to choose the truck you want from a group of well-maintained Werner trucks. Plus, you can use the Savings Plan payroll deduction to cover the down payment. The truck payment will automatically be deducted from your weekly Settlement.
Werner Trucking Pay Scale
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You know that Werner offers great career opportunities and benefits, but what about compensation?
How much does the carrier pay its drivers?
Company Drivers
On the Driver Pre-Application page, Werner advertises a $2,500 sign-on bonus for qualified dedicated/van drivers. This bonus is paid out over six months. The company also offers a sign-on bonus of up to $10,000 for team drivers.
Werner offers no information on exact pay rates for company drivers, but drivers say that rookies earn about 30-40K. Those with experience can earn between 50K and 70K. Only the most advanced drivers can earn higher than 70K per year.
Owner Operators
Werner does offer information on their pay rates (per loaded miles) for owner-operators.
- Over 1000: $0.94
- 701-1,000: $0.95
- 501-700: $0.97
- 301-500: $1.00
- 201-300: $1.14
- 101-200: $1.22
- 25-100: $1.62
- 0-24: $2.37
Werner pays $0.76 for empty miles.
To become an owner operator with Werner, your truck will need to meet a number of different requirements, including:
- Having a model no older than 5 years
- A 275” wheel base; fifth wheel that is no higher than 48”; stack height that is at least 13’4”
- Cannot weigh more than 20,000 pounds for flatbeds and 19,000 pounds for vans.
- Have a blind spot mirror, custom equipment and professional paint color
- Pass a visual inspection
That said, owner-operators have the opportunity to earn more money than company drivers while still enjoying medical, dental, vision and life insurance benefits.
However, if you prefer not to have to deal with the extra work that comes along with being an owner-operator, you’ll be happy to know that company drivers still earn an excellent salary and enjoy plenty of home time.
The Bottom Line
Werner has been in the business for a long time. They offer steady work, great benefits and competitive pay.
With opportunities to drive regionally, in teams, on dedicated routes and as an owner-operator, drivers of all experience and skill levels can find great career opportunities at Werner Trucking.