How Much Money Do Flatbed Truck Drivers Make?
Flatbed drivers haul open-deck freight like steel, lumber, pipe, and building materials. Every load has to be chained, strapped, and sometimes tarped by hand, and that extra work is why flatbed pays more than most dry van jobs.
The short answer: flatbed job postings show a median of $1,350 a week in October 2026, based on Lanefinder's index of active ads. At MigWay, flatbed drivers can earn up to $2,370 on a 3,000-mile week and up to $2,940 on a 3,500-mile week with every qualifying bonus, plus $100 per tarped load.
What Are the Average Flatbed Rates in 2026?
Most flatbed job ads now advertise weekly pay instead of cents per mile. Across 1,197 active flatbed postings tracked by Lanefinder in October 2026, the median was $1,350 a week. The middle half of postings ran from $1,100 to $1,750, and the top 10% started at $2,250.
MigWay pays flatbed by the mile. Base pay starts at 60 cents per mile, and a performance bonus grows with your weekly miles. Meeting the idle requirement adds 2 cents per mile, and meeting the safety requirement adds another 2 cents.
With every qualifying bonus, MigWay flatbed runs from up to 69 cents at 2,500 miles to up to 84 cents at 3,500 miles. Every mile is paid, empty and loaded, and the bonuses apply to all of them.
How Much Do Flatbed Truck Drivers Make a Year?
The Lanefinder flatbed median of $1,350 a week works out to about $64,800 a year across 48 working weeks. For all truck drivers, Indeed shows an average of $1,695 a week from about 1.14 million job postings, updated October 2026. That's about $81,360 across 48 weeks, and it blends flatbed with dry van, reefer, tanker, and local work.
Here is what MigWay flatbed pays at each mileage level, with annual figures also based on 48 working weeks.
| Weekly miles | CPM with all qualifying bonuses | Weekly pay (up to) | 48 weeks (up to) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 | 69 CPM | $1,725 | $82,800 |
| 2,600 | 71 CPM | $1,846 | $88,608 |
| 2,700 | 73 CPM | $1,971 | $94,608 |
| 2,800 | 75 CPM | $2,100 | $100,800 |
| 2,900 | 77 CPM | $2,233 | $107,184 |
| 3,000 | 79 CPM | $2,370 | $113,760 |
| 3,500 | 84 CPM | $2,940 | $141,120 |
The table includes base pay, the performance bonus, and the 4 cents for idle and safety. If you miss the idle or safety requirement in a given week, subtract 2 cents per mile for each. Tarp pay of $100 per tarped load is on top.
These are mileage-based outcomes, not guarantees. Your miles depend on freight, hours of service, and how well you plan a week.
How Does Flatbed Pay Change by Job Type?
How you're hired changes what the paycheck number means. Here's how weekly pay breaks out across active flatbed postings in October 2026.
| Hiring type | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company driver (W-2) | $1,050 | $1,250 | $1,500 |
| Independent contractor (1099) | $1,450 | $1,800 | $2,300 |
| Owner-operator | $4,500 | $6,625 | $8,500 |
Source: Lanefinder index of active flatbed job ads, October 2026. Each ad counts at the midpoint of its advertised weekly range.
- Company drivers get a W-2 paycheck. The carrier pays for the truck, fuel, insurance, and repairs.
- 1099 contractors show a higher number, but taxes come out of your pocket and some costs may shift to you.
- Owner-operator numbers are revenue, not take-home. Fuel, insurance, truck payments, and maintenance come out first.
For comparison, a MigWay flatbed company driver can earn up to $2,370 on a 3,000-mile week. That sits above the 75th percentile for W-2 flatbed postings.
How Much Is an OTR Flatbed Driver Salary by State?
No public source breaks out flatbed pay by state. The closest 2026 numbers are weekly medians for company drivers (W-2) across all CDL job postings in each state, which include flatbed. They leave out 1099 and owner-operator postings, since those figures don't come from the same kind of paycheck.
| State | Company driver median, per week | 48 weeks | Active W-2 postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | $1,500 | $72,000 | 771 |
| North Carolina | $1,450 | $69,600 | 802 |
| South Carolina | $1,450 | $69,600 | 686 |
| Alabama | $1,450 | $69,600 | 697 |
| Kentucky | $1,436 | $68,928 | 935 |
| Indiana | $1,400 | $67,200 | 1,040 |
| Ohio | $1,400 | $67,200 | 977 |
| Illinois | $1,400 | $67,200 | 1,033 |
Source: Lanefinder index of active CDL job postings, October 2026 (Illinois: May 2026). MigWay's flatbed pay is the same in every state we hire from, so where you live doesn't change your CPM. A MigWay flatbed driver can earn up to $2,370 on a 3,000-mile week in any of these states.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in North Carolina
Company CDL drivers in North Carolina had a median of $1,450 a week in October 2026, about $69,600 across 48 weeks. MigWay is headquartered in Pineville, NC, and NC flatbed drivers earn the same per-mile pay as drivers anywhere else in our network.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in South Carolina
South Carolina's company driver median was $1,450 a week, matching North Carolina. Flatbed freight here moves out of the Port of Charleston and the Upstate manufacturing belt along I-85.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Alabama
Alabama's company driver median was $1,450 a week. Steel out of the Birmingham area and auto plant supply freight keep open-deck trailers busy across the state.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Kentucky
Kentucky's company driver median was $1,436 a week. I-65 and I-75 cross the state, carrying auto parts, machinery, and building materials north and south.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Virginia
Virginia had the highest company driver median of these eight states at $1,500 a week. The Port of Virginia in Norfolk and the I-81 corridor generate steady flatbed freight.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Indiana
Indiana's company driver median was $1,400 a week. Steel mills along Lake Michigan near Gary produce coil and plate that ship on flatbeds.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Ohio
Ohio's company driver median was $1,400 a week. Steel, machinery, and manufacturing freight move along I-70, I-71, and I-75.
OTR Flatbed Driver Salary in Illinois
Illinois's company driver median was $1,400 a week as of May 2026. The Chicago area is one of the busiest freight hubs in the country, with I-80, I-55, and I-57 feeding it.
How Much Do Local, Solo, and Team Flatbed Drivers Make?
Local flatbed drivers
Local flatbed jobs usually pay by the hour and run fewer miles, so weekly pay tends to be lower than OTR. The tradeoff is home every night. MigWay's flatbed jobs are OTR, with drivers home every weekend.
Solo flatbed drivers
Solo OTR is where mileage pay matters most, because one driver's hours set the week. At MigWay, a solo flatbed driver running 3,000 miles can earn up to $2,370 a week, and up to $2,940 at 3,500 miles.
Team flatbed drivers
Teams split driving time so the truck keeps moving, which produces more total miles. Each driver usually earns a split rate on the combined miles. Before you sign, ask how many miles the team actually runs per week and what CPM each driver gets.
How Much Does a MigWay Flatbed Company Driver Make?
Base CPM is the floor. These are the additions that move real money into a weekly check.
| Bonus | Amount | How you earn it |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | Grows with weekly miles | Starts at 2,500 miles, applies to all miles, empty and loaded |
| Idle | +2 cents per mile, about $60 on a 3,000-mile week | Under 12% idle with an APU, under 30% without |
| Safety | +2 cents per mile, about $60 on a 3,000-mile week | Weeks you meet the safety score requirement |
| Tarping | $100 per tarped load | Any flatbed load that requires a tarp |
| Clean inspection | Level 1: $300, Level 2: $200, Level 3: $100 | Paid per clean DOT inspection |
| Extra stop | $25 each | Any stop beyond the standard pickup and delivery |
| Sign-on | $500 at 90 days, $1,000 at 6 months, $1,500 at 1 year | Up to $3,000 total across your first year |
| Driver referral | $1,000 | Paid after your referred driver completes 90 days (referral form required) |
Bonuses are paid when you qualify. In weeks under 2,500 miles, the rate drops by 5 cents per mile. MigWay also pays detention and layover, so time lost at a slow dock isn't time you work for free.
What a strong flatbed week looks like
| Line item | 3,000-mile week | 3,500-mile week |
|---|---|---|
| Base + performance bonus | $2,250 at 75 CPM | $2,800 at 80 CPM |
| Idle bonus (+2 CPM) | $60 | $70 |
| Safety bonus (+2 CPM) | $60 | $70 |
| One tarped load | $100 | $100 |
| Weekly total (up to) | $2,470 | $3,040 |
| Effective CPM | 82.3 cents | 86.9 cents |
Across 48 working weeks, that's up to $118,560 at 3,000 miles and up to $145,920 at 3,500 miles. Both assume you hit the miles and qualify for every bonus every week, which is a strong week, not a typical one. Unsafe driving, citations, accidents, and skipped pre-trips all reduce bonus eligibility.
Want to compare with dry van? See our breakdown of how much truck drivers make in 2026.
How Much Does a Flatbed Owner-Operator Make?
Flatbed owner-operator postings showed a median of $6,625 a week in October 2026. That number is revenue, not pay. Fuel, insurance, the truck payment, tires, maintenance, permits, and taxes all come out before the owner sees a dollar.
Before going the owner-operator route, build a real weekly budget. Compare what's left after costs to what a company job pays with no truck payment and no repair bills.
MigWay's flatbed pay in this article is for company drivers.
How Can Flatbed Truck Drivers Make More Money?
- Run consistent miles. At MigWay, moving from 3,000 to 3,500 miles a week takes flatbed from up to 79 cents to up to 84 cents per mile. That's up to $570 more per week.
- Keep idle time down. Staying under 12% idle with an APU, or 30% without, adds 2 cents on every mile.
- Protect your safety score. Meeting the safety requirement adds another 2 cents per mile, and clean DOT inspections pay up to $300 each.
- Take tarp loads. Each tarped load adds $100. Drivers who tarp fast and tarp right get more of them.
- Add endorsements. Oversize, TWIC, and hazmat credentials open freight that many drivers can't haul.
- Check empty-mile pay before you sign. A carrier advertising 75 cents but paying 30 cents on empties pays about $2,048 on a 3,000-mile week with 15% empty miles. MigWay pays every mile at the full rate.
Why Drive Flatbed for MigWay?
Pay that grows with your miles
Flatbed base starts at 60 cents, and the performance bonus climbs with your weekly miles all the way to 3,500. Empty and loaded miles pay the same.
Late-model automatic trucks
MigWay runs 2023 to 2027 Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo, and Mack trucks, all automatics. We're adding 100 new 2027 Freightliner Cascadias. Every truck is governed at 70 mph for safety, fuel economy, and consistent miles.
Home every weekend
MigWay drivers are home every weekend. You run hard during the week and get your weekends back.
Dispatch that answers
Dispatch is 24/7 and in-house, with zero outsourcing. Every truck runs live ELD and GPS tracking, and you get one accountable contact who knows your load instead of a call center.
An asset-based fleet
MigWay runs 400 trucks and 750 trailers out of Pineville, North Carolina, with 48-state freight coverage across dry van and flatbed.
What Do You Need to Drive Flatbed for MigWay?
- A valid CDL A
- At least two years of recent OTR experience
- A clean driving record
- Working knowledge of cargo securement: chains, binders, straps, and tarps
- The physical ability to climb on and off the deck and handle heavy tarps in any weather
Start Your Flatbed Career with MigWay
If you have two years of recent OTR and you want flatbed pay that grows with your miles, we want to talk. Orientation is one day. Apply in minutes or call recruiting at +1-980-255-3200.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flatbed truck drivers make per week?
Active flatbed job postings showed a median of $1,350 a week in October 2026, and $1,250 for W-2 company drivers. At MigWay, flatbed drivers can earn up to $1,725 at 2,500 miles and up to $2,940 at 3,500 miles with every qualifying bonus, plus $100 per tarped load.
How much do flatbed drivers make per mile?
MigWay flatbed starts at 60 cents per mile base. With the performance bonus plus 2 cents for idle and 2 cents for safety, it runs up to 69 cents at 2,500 miles and up to 84 cents at 3,500 miles. Many carriers advertise weekly pay instead, so compare total pay on the same number of miles.
How much do flatbed drivers make a year?
Flatbed job postings had a median of $1,350 a week in October 2026, about $64,800 across 48 working weeks. Company driver postings in MigWay's hiring states ran $1,400 to $1,500 a week, or $67,200 to $72,000 across 48 weeks. At MigWay, a flatbed driver can earn up to $113,760 at 3,000 miles a week or up to $141,120 at 3,500 miles a week across 48 weeks, before tarp pay.
Do flatbed drivers earn more than dry van drivers?
Usually, yes, because securing and tarping loads is harder physical work. At MigWay, flatbed starts at 60 cents base versus 55 cents for dry van. On a 3,000-mile week with every qualifying bonus, flatbed pays up to 79 cents per mile and dry van up to 72 cents, and flatbed adds $100 per tarped load.
How much is tarp pay for flatbed drivers?
MigWay pays $100 per tarped load. It's paid on top of your mileage pay and bonuses.
What bonuses can flatbed drivers earn at MigWay?
MigWay flatbed drivers can earn a mileage-based performance bonus, 2 cents per mile for idle, and 2 cents per mile for safety. There's also clean inspection pay of up to $300, $25 per extra stop, a sign-on bonus of up to $3,000 across the first year, and a $1,000 referral bonus.
How does the MigWay flatbed performance bonus work?
The performance bonus is added to your 60-cent base and grows as your weekly miles grow, from 2,500 up to 3,500 miles. It applies to all miles, empty and loaded. In weeks under 2,500 miles, the rate drops by 5 cents per mile.
How often are MigWay flatbed drivers home?
MigWay drivers are home every weekend. The flatbed job is OTR during the week.
What experience do I need to drive flatbed for MigWay?
You need a valid CDL A, at least two years of recent OTR experience, and a clean driving record. You should also know cargo securement with chains, binders, straps, and tarps.
What trucks does MigWay use for flatbed?
MigWay runs 2023 to 2027 Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo, and Mack automatics, and is adding 100 new 2027 Cascadias. Every truck is governed at 70 mph.