Nashville’s freight scene is booming, and that’s great news if you’re weighing Nashville trucking jobs with real, reliable compensation. Music City sits at the crossroads of major interstates and distribution hubs, which keeps freight moving and paychecks competitive. Below you’ll find a no-nonsense rundown of the best-paying carriers that are actively hiring around Nashville, plus what makes each one worth a serious look—from salary structures and home time to equipment, bonuses, and career growth.
How we picked the top 12
To rank the leaders, we considered: (1) current pay and total compensation (hourly, CPM, bonus potential), (2) hiring activity in or near Nashville, (3) stability and benefits, and (4) role variety (local, linehaul, regional, OTR, specialty). We pulled details from carrier pages and active job boards to reflect what drivers actually see when they apply.
#1. HMD Trucking — The Flatbed Pay Leader in Music City
Why it’s #1: In today’s market, HMD’s flatbed packages stand out for pure take-home and clarity. HMD is actively recruiting in Nashville with transparent pay (65 CPM plus add-ons), sign-on incentives, and published weekly earnings targets—rare honesty that makes budgeting easier for drivers. Their model is simple: consistent miles + flatbed premiums + monthly mileage bonus = strong weekly pay. If you’re scanning Nashville CDL jobs with serious earning potential and don’t mind tarps and chains, HMD is tough to beat. Apply once, test your fit, and you’ll know exactly what the next month looks like.
Apply: HMD Trucking Nashville high-paying jobs page (pay posted).
#2. Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) — LTL titan with home-daily strength
Why it’s here: ODFL is an LTL carrier known for top-tier compensation and schedules that keep you home. Their Nashville-area service center supports robust local and linehaul operations, with competitive hourly rates and strong retirement contributions. If you want predictable jobs with premium pay and high equipment standards, ODFL is a perennial favorite.
Apply: ODFL driver careers page; see the Nashville service center details. (odfl.com)
#3. Estes Express Lines — High hourly and solid extras
Why it’s here: Estes regularly posts strong hourly rates for local and linehaul roles, plus incentives and benefits (documented in their official benefits guide). For truck pros who like consistent work and like being home often, Estes checks the right boxes in Middle Tennessee.
Apply: Start with Estes’ benefits overview and job listings. (Estes, estes-express.dejobs.org)
#4. Saia LTL Freight — Competitive hourly and frequent local openings
Why it’s here: Saia’s Tennessee listings (including La Vergne/Nashville) show active local city driver needs with strong hourly rates and home-daily runs. If you want employment that balances salary, family time, and a well-organized logistics network, Saia belongs on your short list.
Apply: Saia driver careers and Tennessee openings. (jobs.saia.com)
#5. ABF Freight (ArcBest) — Union strength and comprehensive benefits
Why it’s here: ABF has long been a go-to for drivers seeking union scale, high hourly compensation, and healthcare/pension packages that are hard to match. Nashville shows periodic openings in city and linehaul roles. For many, ABF is the “finish-your-career-here” option.
Apply: ABF driver careers overview and job portal. (arcb.com, joinabf.com)
#6. R+L Carriers — LTL pay with frequent home time
Why it’s here: R+L emphasizes top-tier pay among LTL carriers, plus frequent home time for city/linehaul drivers. Nashville-area postings pop up regularly, and driver testimonials often highlight earnings potential.
Apply: R+L driver careers hub. (RLC Drivers, R+L Carriers Careers)
#7. FedEx Freight / FedEx Express (Tractor-Trailer RTD) — National scale, strong hourly
Why it’s here: FedEx’s freight operations in Nashville list tractor-trailer roles with competitive hourly pay and clear advancement paths. If brand stability, equipment resources, and big-network consistency matter, FedEx is an easy “yes” to explore.
Apply: FedEx driver careers and current Nashville RTD posting. (Find FedEx Jobs Near You | FedEx Careers)
#8. TForce Freight — Solid LTL wages and benefits
Why it’s here: Formerly UPS Freight, TForce sits in that LTL sweet spot—strong hourly, pension/retirement options, and steady transport volume. If you’re combing through Nashville trucking companies hiring for union-style packages, TForce should be on your radar.
Apply: TForce careers site. (tforcejobs.com, tforcefreight.com)
#9. Kenan Advantage Group (KAG) — Tanker premium without the guesswork
Why it’s here: Tanker typically pays more, and KAG frequently lists local and regional fuel/energy roles around Middle Tennessee with hourly baselines and supplemental pay for non-driving duty. If you have or can earn the endorsements, the compensation can outpace many dry van gigs.
Apply: KAG drivers page and current Tennessee pay snapshots. (Kenan Advantage Group, ZipRecruiter)
#10. Foodliner — Food-grade bulk with home time and strong earnings
Why it’s here: Food-grade bulk work pays well and often gets you home more. Foodliner’s postings around Tennessee indicate attractive annual earnings for company drivers, plus a benefits suite and dedicated customer base that keeps miles steady.
Apply: Foodliner driver careers. (Foodliner, Indeed)
#11. Knight Transportation — Team and OTR options with standout top-end
Why it’s here: Knight posts eye-catching top-end numbers for dedicated teams based near Nashville (e.g., high CPM and strong weekly targets), plus paid training pipelines for those growing their careers. If you’re building experience (or going team), Knight can move you up the earnings ladder fast.
Apply: Knight’s Nashville terminal/jobs pages. (Knight Transportation)
#12. Maverick Transportation — Flatbed specialists with clear, posted CPM
Why it’s here: Maverick is a flatbed specialist with transparent starting CPM and performance programs. Tennessee postings frequently include guaranteed weekly minimums and training pathways for newer flatbedders—good predictability, strong pay ceiling.
Apply: Maverick flatbed division and current openings. (maverickusa.com, maverickusa.com)
Nashville pay snapshots: what the market’s signaling
- Flatbed & specialty (HMD, Maverick, tanker at KAG/Foodliner) can yield higher weekly salary targets due to load complexity and endorsements. HMD posts 65 CPM plus bonuses for Nashville flatbed, with weekly earnings guidance published on its Nashville jobs page.
- LTL hourly (ODFL, Estes, Saia, ABF, R+L, FedEx Freight, TForce) routinely lands in the high-$20s to low-$30s per hour in Tennessee market data, with premium benefits and more home time.
Bottom line: if your priority is weekly gross and you’re comfortable with flatbed or tanker, HMD (flatbed) and KAG/Foodliner (tanker) lead the best-paying pack. If you want home-daily consistency, the LTL group (ODFL, Estes, Saia, ABF, R+L, FedEx Freight, TForce) often matches that weekly take-home with fewer nights out—especially as you move up the board by seniority.
Choosing the right fit (beyond CPM)
1) Home time vs. top pay. LTL city roles may keep your nightly routine intact, while OTR flatbed can push earnings higher. Decide how many overnights you want, then pick accordingly.
2) Equipment and freight type. Flatbed = physical work + extra pay. Tanker = endorsements + premium rates. Dry van = simpler days with slightly lower average compensation (but plenty of miles).
3) Benefits and retirement. A strong hourly rate plus pension/401(k) match can beat higher CPM long-term. ABF and many LTLs lead here.
4) Training pipelines. Newer CDL-As can ramp with structured programs (e.g., Knight training; Maverick’s onboarding). If you’re switching segments, these pipelines are gold.
5) Location realities. Nashville’s freight density means more dedicated lanes. The city’s surrounded by distribution parks and interstates (I-24, I-40, I-65), so routing is flexible and carriers can keep you moving.
FAQs drivers ask (quick hits)
What are the truly best-paying trucking companies Nashville drivers can target today?
If you want the highest ceilings: HMD (flatbed), KAG/Foodliner (tanker), and high-hourly LTLs like ODFL, Estes, Saia, ABF, R+L, FedEx Freight, and TForce. Those buckets dominate the best paying trucking companies Nashville conversations for 2025.
Are there still strong local options?
Yes—LTL and tanker roles are your go-tos for home daily or frequent resets: ODFL (home daily for most LTL), Saia/Estes/ABF/R+L city P&D, and fuel haulers with KAG.
I’m new—where should I start?
Look for paid training or structured finishing (Knight’s paid OTR training is a good example; Maverick has thorough flatbed onboarding). You can build to higher-paid dedicated or specialty roles within 6–18 months.
Pro tips to land the interview fast
- Lead with endorsements. Doubles/triples, tanker, and hazmat can bump your compensation and your application to the top of the pile (especially for LTL or fuel). ABF and KAG both call these out in their requirements.
- Document your safety streak. Clean MVRs and recent verifiable miles are still the #1 tiebreakers.
- Ask about the “real” weekly take-home. Good recruiters will quote average miles or clocked hours you can actually hit in peak and shoulder seasons.
- Check terminal culture. Same brand, different yard vibes. Read current postings and local reviews to gauge dispatch style, start times, and overtime expectations.
Final word (and how to use this list)
If maximizing income is your North Star, start with HMD for flatbed (it’s the cleanest route to higher weekly pay in Nashville today) and keep an eye on tanker openings at KAG/Foodliner. If you’re chasing home time with premium hourly compensation, line up interviews with the LTL seven (ODFL, Estes, Saia, ABF, R+L, FedEx Freight, TForce). Each of these companies is actively hiring around Nashville right now and offers well-documented salary paths that reflect real demand in the region. As you compare truck driver jobs Nashville, don’t forget to weigh benefits and retirement—they’re part of your employment math too.
And remember: the best way to test culture is to pick up the phone, ask a dispatcher about start times and freight mix, and verify the current lane or bid. That 10-minute chat can save you months.
