Owner-Operator Earnings by Equipment Type
Transparent earnings data across 7 equipment types. See what owner-operators actually gross, spend, and keep — broken down by region, cost category, and top-paying lanes.
National Averages Comparison
| Equipment Type | Annual Gross | Annual Expenses | Annual Net Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥Team Drivers | $380,000 | $245,000 | $135,000 |
| 🎪Conestoga | $268,000 | $178,000 | $90,000 |
| 📐Step Deck | $258,000 | $170,000 | $88,000 |
| 🔩Flatbed | $245,000 | $160,000 | $85,000 |
| 🚗Car Hauler | $255,000 | $175,000 | $80,000 |
| 🤝Freight Broker | $320,000 | $242,000 | $78,000 |
| 🛢️Tanker | $225,000 | $148,000 | $77,000 |
| ☣️Hazmat Driver | $235,000 | $158,000 | $77,000 |
| ❄️Reefer | $228,000 | $156,000 | $72,000 |
| 🛣️OTR Trucking | $210,000 | $140,000 | $70,000 |
| 📦Dry Van | $198,000 | $132,000 | $66,000 |
| 🚛Power Only | $168,000 | $105,000 | $63,000 |
| 🗺️Regional Trucking | $188,000 | $125,000 | $63,000 |
| 📦Amazon Relay | $175,000 | $112,000 | $63,000 |
| 🪪Company Driver | $65,000 | $8,500 | $56,500 |
| ⚡Hotshot | $142,000 | $88,000 | $54,000 |
| 🏙️Local Trucking | $145,000 | $92,000 | $53,000 |
| 📋Lease Operator | $185,000 | $138,000 | $47,000 |
| 🚚Box Truck | $118,000 | $72,000 | $46,000 |
Explore by Equipment Type
Team Drivers
$380,000 gross / yr
Conestoga
$268,000 gross / yr
Step Deck
$258,000 gross / yr
Flatbed
$245,000 gross / yr
Car Hauler
$255,000 gross / yr
Freight Broker
$320,000 gross / yr
Tanker
$225,000 gross / yr
Hazmat Driver
$235,000 gross / yr
Reefer
$228,000 gross / yr
OTR Trucking
$210,000 gross / yr
Dry Van
$198,000 gross / yr
Power Only
$168,000 gross / yr
Regional Trucking
$188,000 gross / yr
Amazon Relay
$175,000 gross / yr
Company Driver
$65,000 gross / yr
Hotshot
$142,000 gross / yr
Local Trucking
$145,000 gross / yr
Lease Operator
$185,000 gross / yr
Box Truck
$118,000 gross / yr
By Experience Level
How Year 1, Year 3, and Year 5+ operators earn differently across all equipment types.
View Comparison →By Region
Compare earnings across Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, and Southwest.
View Comparison →Dispatch vs Self-Dispatch
Side-by-side analysis of using a dispatch service versus finding your own loads.
Read Comparison →Data Sources & Methodology
Earnings figures are compiled from publicly available industry data, owner-operator surveys, freight rate indices (DAT, Truckstop), and FMCSA operating cost reports. All numbers represent national averages for solo owner-operators in 2025-2026.
Individual earnings vary significantly based on lanes, load volume, deadhead percentage, fuel management, maintenance practices, and business skills. Regional breakdowns show average monthly gross revenue for operators primarily running within that region.
Cost breakdowns include both fixed and variable expenses. Dispatch and factoring fees are included in the data since the majority of owner-operators use one or both services. Operators who self-dispatch and wait for payment may see lower costs in those categories but higher time investment.