How Much Money Do Flatbed Truck Drivers Make?

Every day you see open‑deck trailers rolling down the highway with steel coils, lumber, or massive industrial equipment. Have you ever wondered how much money do flatbed truck drivers make a week for moving freight that simply will not fit inside a box? The answer is: a great deal—especially when you choose a carrier that rewards the extra skill it takes to run a flatbed. In this guide we break down pay by mile, by week, and by year, compare national averages to what we pay at MigWay, and show you how to boost your income as one of the highest paid flatbed drivers on the road.

What Are the Average Flatbed Rates?

Because freight sits exposed, every load has to be tarped, chained, or strapped correctly, and that added responsibility shows up in the paycheck. National flatbed pay rates hover between $0.52 and $0.68 per mile. Ask, though, how much money do flatbed truck drivers make per mile at MigWay? Our 2025 mileage bands start at $0.60 CPM and climb up after 2,600 weekly miles—plus securement and tarp pay on top. With fuel surcharges trending up, take‑home pay keeps edging higher.

Flatbed Truck Driver Salaries in Numbers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the 2024 average cdl flatbed driver salary at $74,200—about $12,000 more than the average cdl driver pay across all trailer types. Databank‑wide, the annual salary of a flatbed driver ranges between $65,000 for rookies in light freight lanes and $98,000 for veterans pulling heavy‑haul on long runs. Drivers at MigWay finished 2024 with an average income of flatbed driver $86,400, thanks to productivity bonuses and a best‑in‑class safety payout that added almost six CPM on average.

Flatbed Truck Driver Salary by Related Titles

Shoes do not come in one size and neither do flatbed jobs. Below is a snapshot of flatbed salaries by position nationwide, followed by our package so you can compare:

• Company Flatbed Driver (National): $60 k – $85 k
• Company Flatbed Driver (MigWay): $75 k – $95 k + bonuses
• Lease‑Purchase Driver: $90 k – $135 k after fixed costs
• Owner‑Operator Flatbed: $140 k – $220 k gross revenue
• Specialized Heavy‑Haul: $100 k – $160 k

How Much Is an OTR Flatbed Driver Salary?

Long‑haul routes maximize mileage and securement pay; that’s why the otr flatbed driver salary consistently beats regional gigs. Nationally the average otr flatbed salary sits near $82,000, but the numbers swing with state freight demand. Let’s look at a few of MigWay’s busiest corridors:

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in North Carolina

Tar‑Heel flatbedders averaged $79,100 in 2024. High inbound steel and outbound building products keep rates strong.

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in South Carolina

Port of Charleston exports drive pay up to $76,800, with bonus lanes into the Midwest.

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Alabama

Mobile’s shipyards push earnings to $74,300—plus fairly mild winters for easier securement.

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Kentucky

Auto‑plant freight helped Bluegrass drivers bank $75,200 in 2024.

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Virginia

Defense contracts boost rates; average pay hit $81,600 last year.

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Indiana

With abundant steel mills, Hoosier drivers reached $78,900.

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Ohio

Construction beams and farm machinery translated to $77,400 on average.

OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Illinois

Chicago’s freight mix pushed earnings to $80,200—with favorable deadhead ratios.

How Much Is a Local Flatbed Truck Driver Salary?

Prefer to sleep in your own bed? The average local flatbed driver salary runs $52 k – $72 k depending on city congestion and live‑load wait times. Local MigWay positions in Charlotte and Atlanta pay a guaranteed $1,350 weekly minimum and still offer safety bonuses—proof that home‑daily does not mean low pay.

How Much Is a Solo Flatbed Truck Driver Salary?

A single logbook limits hours, but savvy solos still rack up miles. Across all carriers the average class a driver salary in flatbed solo roles is $70,000. At MigWay, solos who hit 2,800+ miles plus tarp pay pocket up to $93,000—eclipsing the average otr flatbed salary by a wide margin.

How Much Is a Team Flatbed Truck Driver Salary?

Two seats, one truck, and the wheels rarely stop. Team flatbeds often post the flatbed driver earnings north of $105,000 each. MigWay’s fastest teams (coast‑to‑coast repeat lanes) averaged $118,700 per driver last year, thanks to split securement pay and productivity tiers that reward every mile beyond 5,500 weekly.

How Much Is a Flatbed Company Driver Salary?

If you value stability and paid benefits, a carrier paycheck is hard to beat. Industry‑wide flatbed drivers earnings as company employees land around $80,000. At MigWay, the compensation model stacks line‑haul CPM, securement/tarp pay, detention, layover, holiday pay, and a quarterly safety bonus worth up to $2,400. That brings most of our company flats to $85 k – $95 k without breaking the 70‑hour‑in‑8‑day rule.

How Much Is a Flatbed Owner Operator Salary?

Ready to run your own show? Gross revenue for independent flats often tops $200 k, but what matters is net. After fuel, insurance, and maintenance, owners clear $120 k – $160 k. Partnered with MigWay’s percentage‑pay program (75% of line‑haul + 100% FSC), seasoned owners were netting $147,300 on average in 2024, making them part of the highest paid flatbed drivers segment nationally.

How to Make More Money as a Flatbed Truck Driver

Wondering how to make more money as a flatbed truck driver? First, certify. Oversize, TWIC, and hazmat endorsements bump rates by 5–12 %. Second, know your lanes. Steel, energy, and infrastructure freight pay premium surcharges. Third, protect your CSA. Clean inspections translate directly into bonus CPM at MigWay and many brokers won’t load a carrier with a shaky score, throttling your ability to earn. And finally, ask yourself how much money can you make with a cdl when you master time management. Keeping your clock moving—even 30 extra minutes per day—adds 10,000+ billable miles per year.

Advantages of Becoming a Flatbed Driver at MigWay

Our goal is simple: build the most driver‑centric fleet in America. Here’s why hundreds of open‑deck professionals call MigWay home.

Competitive Pay Rates

A tiered pay scale that starts above the national median and rewards tenure every six months. Plus, per diem is available to keep taxable income lower without reducing your net check.

Quality Equipment

All tractors are 2022 or newer Freightliners, Western Stars, Macks, and Volvos with factory‑installed headache racks, steel coil bunks, and quick‑release strap winches. No climbing rusty trailers here.

Comprehensive Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, life, and a 401(k) with 4% company match start after 60 days—rare in the flatbed world.

Regular Home Time

Our OTR fleet averages 14 days out / 3 days home; regional drivers are on a 5‑and‑2 rotation.

Driver‑Friendly Culture

We cap fleet size to keep dispatch ratios low (8 trucks per dispatcher) so your load planner knows you by name and route preference—not a truck number.

Skills Needed to Become a Flatbed Driver at MigWay

We hire professionals committed to safety and customer service. You’ll need:

• Valid CDL A and 24 months recent verifiable experience
• Clean MVR and PSP; no more than one DOT‑recordable in 36 months
• Confidence in using chains, binders, straps, and tarps—training provided
• Ability to lift 75 lb tarps and work outdoors in all weather
• Strong communication via ELD and phone for real‑time customer updates

Start Your High‑Paying Flatbed Career with MigWay

You now know how much do flatbed drivers get paid compared to other sectors and exactly why MigWay stands out. Whether you crave cross‑country scenery or a predictable regional loop, we have freight that moves your career forward. Apply in minutes and discover a carrier that treats you—and your paycheck—the way a skilled flatbed professional deserves.