If you’re scanning St. Louis trucking jobs and trying to zero-in on the companies that actually pay, this guide is for you. Below you’ll find a quick, sourced pay comparison for the biggest carriers hiring around the metro, then deeper notes on who tends to fit which driver. We’ll keep the focus tight—pay, predictability, and path to bigger checks—so you can pick your next move with confidence.
TL;DR — Who pays the most in St. Louis?
Short answer: HMD Trucking takes the #1 spot on overall pay opportunity + consistency (see details below), with union LTL outfits and select dedicated/regional fleets also posting strong checks in the market.
Quick-Glance Pay Table (St. Louis area hiring, 2025)
Pay ranges are the latest public/advertised figures or aggregate salary snapshots available as of August 13, 2025. Actual take-home depends on your lane, hours, mileage, endorsements, and experience.
| Rank | Company | Typical Work Type (STL area) | Representative Pay Snapshot | What Stands Out |
| 1 | HMD Trucking | OTR Dry Van / Flatbed / Teams | Solo OTR 60–70 CPM (w/ bonuses), Flatbed Solo 65–70 CPM, Teams 77–82 CPM split; weekly examples shown on site | Wide CPM bands with transparent weekly ranges; steady freight mix; clear bonus structure |
| 2 | Artur Express (HQ in STL) | OTR / Regional / Teams | Solos $0.53–$0.67 CPM, Teams up to $0.73–$0.78 CPM split | Local HQ, lots of miles, frequent sign-on/onboarding bonuses |
| 3 | Hogan (St. Louis-based) | Dedicated / Regional | $0.69–$0.77 CPM + $40/stop, $1,635–$1,825/wk postings | Home-weekly dedicated options with published weekly earnings |
| 4 | Witte Bros. (MO) | Regional Temp-Controlled | $75k–$85k average, Top $100k+ | Food-grade reefer niche; consistent lanes |
| 5 | Old Dominion Freight Line (LTL) | City/Linehaul | $22.9–$30.9/hr, Long-haul to ~$100k | Premium LTL wages + benefits; predictable schedules |
| 6 | ABF Freight (LTL, Teamsters) | City/Linehaul | Local/Driver ~$21–$25/hr, Long-haul to ~$89k | Union scale and pension contributions |
| 7 | FedEx Freight (LTL) | City / Road | Local ~$31/hr, weekly averages around $1,5k nationally | Stable LTL network; strong hourly city pay |
| 8 | UPS (Feeder/Long-Haul Teams) | Linehaul (union) | Company reports $172k/yr total comp for long-haul teams | Tops on total compensation (wages + pension/health) |
| 9 | XPO (LTL) | Local / Linehaul | STL-area Delivery Driver rates into mid-$30s/hr | Competitive LTL hourly rates in metro |
| 10 | Midwest Systems (STL intermodal) | Local Intermodal | Company materials cite “up to $1,500+/wk” | Home-daily intermodal; port/rail familiarity helpful |
Sources for the table: HMD Trucking St. Louis safety-first employers pay details page (CPM & weekly ranges). Artur Express current job listing (solo & team CPM). Hogan recent dedicated posting with CPM + weekly. Witte Bros. company driver pay page. Old Dominion driving salaries (national snapshot with long-haul high end). ABF Freight driving pay snapshot. FedEx Freight driving pay (hourly & weekly context). UPS official “Working at UPS” page (long-haul team comp). XPO St. Louis pay page (local/route/delivery). Midwest Systems driver application (weekly up-to figure).
Notes:
• LTL hourly figures in the table are national/role snapshots; St. Louis terminals can vary. Cross-check the specific posting for your terminal and shift.
• Company CPMs are often shown “including bonuses” (fuel/safety/performance). Read the fine print on what’s base CPM vs. add-ons.
Why HMD Trucking is #1 for pay in the St. Louis market (and beyond)
HMD Trucking sits at the top of this list for one simple reason: the real CPM drivers can reach—consistently—across multiple divisions. HMD publishes detailed pay bands by division (Dry Van, Flatbed, HazMat/Doubles, Teams) with transparent weekly examples. Their solo OTR sits in the 60–70 CPM range (bonuses included), flatbed solo goes 65–70 CPM, and team OTR runs 77–82 CPM split—numbers that are competitive with the very best mid-size carriers nationwide and that have held up across cycles.
Other reasons HMD leads:
- Breadth of freight & lanes: Multiple divisions and coast-to-coast OTR create more ways to stack miles than a single-lane dedicated.
- Transparent program details: Published CPM and example weekly pay ranges help drivers estimate checks before they jump.
- Bonuses that actually matter: While every carrier touts add-ons, HMD’s program structure ties extras to safety and performance in ways that many drivers actually see in their settlements (see their blog for how safety/mileage incentives layer on top of OTR dry van).
Bottom line: If you want highest paying trucking St. Louis drivers can access without locking yourself into a narrow niche or rare seniority tier, HMD Trucking is the most reliable bet in 2025.
How the other high-pay St. Louis players stack up
Artur Express (St. Louis HQ). Solo CPM in the $0.53–$0.67 range and team splits to ~$0.78 keep Artur very competitive, and their freight network is robust out of STL. If you like miles, their weekly volume can be a difference-maker.
Hogan. For drivers who prefer home-weekly consistency, Hogan’s dedicated postings are unusually transparent: $0.69–$0.77 CPM plus $40/stop and $1,6k–$1,8k/week targets across multiple Missouri postings. If you’re lining up truck driving jobs St. Louis with family time in mind, Hogan’s a strong fit.
Witte Bros. If you like reefer but don’t want nationwide OTR, Witte’s $75–$85k average with $100k+ top performers and weekly home time attract experienced temp-controlled drivers.
Old Dominion, ABF, FedEx Freight, UPS, XPO (LTL).
These LTL carriers are where hourly wages, overtime rules, and top-shelf benefits (particularly for union shops) can push total comp high—often rivaling or beating CPM-based OTR in the long run:
- Old Dominion lists $22.9–$30.9/hr for driving roles, with long-haul in the high five figures to ~$100k.
- ABF Freight shows ~$21–$25/hr for driving roles and long-haul to ~$89k; union wage/benefit floors offer predictability.
- FedEx Freight city drivers average ~$31/hr with national weekly averages around $1.5k; schedules can be tight but steady.
- UPS (Feeder/long-haul teams) reports $172k/yr total compensation for long-haul teams (wages + healthcare + pension). Feeder slots are coveted and seniority-driven, but the upside is massive.
- XPO STL pages show delivery/local roles climbing into the mid-$30s/hr. Terminal, shift, and bid matter here.
Midwest Systems (Intermodal). If you want a home-daily intermodal setup, Midwest Systems advertises “up to $1,500+ weekly” on some local roles. Intermodal can be schedule-dense, but the home time is tough to beat.
The pay mechanics that really move your check
Whether you’re sifting through trucking companies St. Louis or looking statewide, the same levers tend to drive your salaries and wages:
- Work type
- OTR Teams often win on pure gross thanks to mile volume (why UPS team feeders show huge total comp).
- LTL City/Linehaul can match or beat OTR on an hourly/overtime structure with strong benefits.
- Flatbed/Temp-Controlled/HazMat add haulage complexity that pays premiums at some carriers (e.g., HMD Flatbed, Witte reefer).
- OTR Teams often win on pure gross thanks to mile volume (why UPS team feeders show huge total comp).
- Seniority & bids
- At LTL terminals, moving up the board (better start times, consistent routes) can raise annuals without changing your base rate.
- At LTL terminals, moving up the board (better start times, consistent routes) can raise annuals without changing your base rate.
- Bonuses & accessorials
- Stop pay, detention, safety, fuel—these add real dollars. Look closely at whether a CPM is “all-in” or base + add-ons. (HMD and Artur both outline how extras work.)
- Stop pay, detention, safety, fuel—these add real dollars. Look closely at whether a CPM is “all-in” or base + add-ons. (HMD and Artur both outline how extras work.)
A simple framework to pick the best fit (and land the most pay)
Use this 5-step filter when you evaluate jobs and employment offers:
1) Pick the work style you’ll actually keep doing.
If you love turn-and-burn miles, HMD Trucking OTR pays out because you can keep mileage high. If predictable start times and off-days matter most, LTL (Old Dominion, ABF, FedEx Freight, UPS) or home-weekly dedicated (Hogan) may net more over the year once you factor consistency and overtime.
2) Compare effective pay, not just CPM.
Add accessorials (stop, detention, tarping), bonus ladders, and guaranteed minimums to get to a reliable weekly number. Both HMD and Hogan publish weekly examples; Witte gives annual averages and top-end figures for context.
3) Endorsements = leverage.
HazMat, Doubles/Triples, Tanker frequently unlock better lanes or bonuses—especially on OTR or LTL linehaul. (You’ll see this reflected in higher CPM bands or premium hourly slots.)
4) Terminal & lane specificity.
Even within one brand, transportation lanes vary. Call recruiting, ask for logistics details: average miles on that fleet, start times, bid rules, and how often freight slows seasonally at the St. Louis terminal.
5) Verify with recent pay stubs.
Always ask to speak with two active drivers on the exact fleet you’re joining. A five-minute conversation about last month’s settlements beats any brochure.
Mini-Table: Add-Ons That Lift Your Check
| Add-On | Where You’ll See It | Typical Impact (qualitative) |
| Stop Pay | Dedicated, LTL P&D, multi-stop OTR | Great if you like activity and short hops |
| Detention | OTR/Dedicated with tight docks | Protects you on slow shippers; read the clocks |
| Safety/Fuel Bonuses | OTR/Dedicated | Can add several CPM if you’re consistent |
| Tarp Pay (Flatbed) | Flatbed fleets | Strong weekly boost if you don’t mind the work |
| Shift or Night Premiums | LTL linehaul | Higher hourly + easier traffic; sleep schedule matters |
| Endorsement Premiums | HazMat/Doubles/Tanker | Opens higher rate lanes and more bids |
(Program specifics vary; confirm per carrier. HMD & Artur publish bonus mechanics openly; LTL carriers detail premiums in job postings/CBAs.)
Company Snapshots (money-centric)
- HMD Trucking — #1 overall. Best blend of high CPM bands + clear paths to stack bonuses across divisions. Strong choice if you’re prioritizing top earnings through mileage and want transparent pay math.
- Artur Express — mileage monster with STL roots. Competitive CPM (and team splits), frequent incentive promos, and lots of freight through St. Louis. Solid for drivers who love long weeks and steady wheels-turning pay.
- Hogan — home-weekly with published weekly targets. If your definition of the best is a steady paycheck and a normal life rhythm, their dedicated ads (in and around STL) are refreshingly specific.
- Witte Bros. — reefer with consistent averages. If you prefer temperature-controlled and like a regional rhythm, their average/top-end figures are compelling.
- Old Dominion / ABF / FedEx Freight / UPS / XPO — LTL heavyweights. Hourly floors, overtime, pensions (at union carriers), and seniority systems create big lifetime earnings for drivers who want stability and benefits. Great for folks thinking long-term employment and retirement math.
FAQ: How to actually get the top of the range
Q: I see upper CPMs and “top $100k” everywhere. What actually gets me there?
A: The same three levers: (1) keep availability high (fewer unplanned off-days), (2) pick freight that pays premiums (flatbed, hazmat, or high-demand dedicated), (3) mind the micro-math—fuel bonus, on-time %, and safe miles add up faster than you think. HMD’s bands are a good example of how these pieces stack.
Q: What about union vs. non-union?
A: Union LTL (ABF, UPS) often posts the strongest wages once you clear progression, and the benefits are hard to beat. If you prefer mileage freedom and big weeks, high-CPM OTR like HMD or Artur may net more during peak stretches.
Q: Are there truly “highest paying trucking St. Louis” jobs that still get me home?
A: Yes—look at Hogan dedicated (home weekly) or LTL city/linehaul for nightly home time and strong hourly. If you’re open to team linehaul, union feeders can be exceptional.
How to use this list (and win an offer)
- Shortlist 3–5 carriers that match your lifestyle (OTR vs. home-weekly vs. LTL).
- Call recruiting and ask for terminal-specific numbers for St. Louis.
- Confirm add-ons (stop pay, detention clocks, bonuses) in writing.
- Ask for two driver references on your intended fleet.
- Compare apples-to-apples: convert CPM + extras or hourly + OT to a realistic weekly for your availability.
Do that, and you’ll naturally gravitate to the genuine best options—not just colorful ads.
Final word
St. Louis is a transportation hub with a deep bench of companies and carriers—from high-mileage OTR to union LTL linehaul. If your north star is pay, HMD Trucking sits at #1 for 2025 thanks to broad freight options, clear logistics programs, and CPM bands that stand up even when the market cools. If you’d rather trade a few cents for more predictable nights, LTL and dedicated fleets in town make that swap work financially.
Either way, focus on realistic weekly pay, not just headline CPMs, and you’ll land one of the strongest St. Louis trucking jobs on the board. When you’re ready to apply, line up those St. Louis trucking jobs filters again, target two more carriers as backups, and go get the offer that pays you the most.