Truck Driving Jobs in Minneapolis: Complete Market Guide for 2026

Minneapolis CDL truck drivers earn an average of $76,300 per year, 33% above the national median. The city sits at the crossroads of I-94 and I-35, hosts 16 Fortune 500 companies, and has Amazon fulfillment centers, Target distribution hubs, and dozens of LTL terminals all competing for drivers. There are over 1,400 truck driving jobs in Minneapolis listed on Indeed right now, and the state needs 3,925 additional drivers to fill the current gap.

Whether you're looking for CDL jobs in Minneapolis, non-CDL box truck positions, or trying to figure out which type of driving pays the most in the Twin Cities, this guide covers the full landscape. We break down pay by job type, list the major employers and where they're located, explain how to get hired with and without a CDL, and share what it's actually like driving in this market.

What Truck Driving Jobs in Minneapolis Pay

Minneapolis truck driver salaries run well above national averages, thanks to the concentration of Fortune 500 logistics operations and a structural driver shortage. Here's what each category pays.

Job Type	Annual Pay Range	Hourly Equivalent
OTR/Long-haul CDL	$80,000-$107,000	$38-$51/hr
Regional CDL	$75,000-$94,000	$36-$45/hr
LTL local P&D (CDL)	$66,000-$100,000	$32-$48/hr
Food distribution (CDL)	$80,000-$110,000	$38-$53/hr
Tanker/Hazmat (CDL)	$80,000-$115,000	$38-$55/hr
Local flatbed (CDL)	$78,000-$104,000	$38-$50/hr
Non-CDL box truck (middle mile)	$50,000-$64,500	$24-$31/hr
Non-CDL box truck (delivery)	$41,600-$54,080	$20-$26/hr
Amazon DSP / last mile (non-CDL)	$39,520-$45,760	$19-$22/hr

The cost of living in Minneapolis is 6.8% below the national average, which means your dollar goes further here than in Chicago, Denver, or any coastal city. A CDL driver earning $76,300 in Minneapolis makes 50% above the MIT living wage for a single adult in the metro ($24.47/hour).

For a detailed breakdown of non-CDL pay, see our guide on the best paying truck driving jobs without a CDL.

Types of Truck Driving Jobs Available in Minneapolis

CDL Positions

OTR and Regional: Bay and Bay Transportation (Eagan), Dart Transit (Eagan), Schneider, and Knight Transportation all run OTR and regional lanes from Minneapolis. Regional routes cover the Upper Midwest, typically within a 500-mile radius hitting Wisconsin, Iowa, the Dakotas, and Nebraska. Pay runs $75,000 to $107,000 depending on the carrier and lane.

LTL Local Pickup and Delivery: Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, XPO, Dayton Freight, and Estes all operate terminals in the Minneapolis metro. These are among the best local truck driving jobs Minneapolis offers, with home-daily schedules and predictable routes. P&D drivers at top LTL carriers earn $66,000 to $100,000 per year. Old Dominion's line haul drivers average $82,000.

Food and Beverage Distribution: Sysco Minnesota, US Foods, Martin Brower (McDonald's supply chain), and McLane (Eagan) hire CDL-A drivers for local delivery routes. Sysco pays up to $110,000 per year with incentive pay and offers $5,000 to $10,000 sign-on bonuses. The work starts early (2:00 to 4:00 a.m.) and involves heavy physical labor, unloading 700 to 1,000+ cases per shift by hand.

Dedicated Fleets: Ruan Transportation runs the dedicated Target fleet out of Fridley, paying $75,000 to $83,000 per year with home-daily schedules and a 5-day work week. Dedicated positions offer the most predictable schedules in CDL trucking.

Non-CDL Positions

Box Truck Delivery: The fastest-growing segment of truck driving jobs in Minneapolis. Box truck jobs in Minneapolis through non-CDL positions pay $20 to $26 per hour for standard delivery routes and $24 to $31 per hour for middle mile routes between distribution centers. No CDL required, just a Class D license and a DOT medical card.

Amazon DSP and Last Mile: Amazon operates delivery stations in Maple Grove (DMP1) and Blaine (SUHV), with fulfillment centers in Shakopee and Lakeville feeding the last mile network. DSP driver pay runs $19 to $22 per hour. Hiring is fast (1-2 weeks) but the work is high-volume: 150 to 200+ stops per day.

Middle Mile Routes: Hub-to-hub driving between distribution centers and delivery stations. These are among the best paying non-CDL positions in the metro, with fewer stops, more predictable schedules, and higher per-hour pay than last mile work.

Javier moved to Minneapolis from Houston in 2025 with no commercial driving experience and a clean Class D license. He applied to three non-CDL box truck positions within his first week. Two called him back. He started at $21 per hour doing last mile delivery in Shakopee and moved to a middle mile route at $27 per hour after seven months. "I didn't know Minneapolis had this many driving jobs," he says. "In Houston, everything required a CDL. Here, I was working within two weeks with nothing but my regular license and a DOT medical card."

Where the Jobs Are: Minneapolis Distribution Hubs

Truck driving jobs in Minneapolis aren't concentrated downtown. They're spread across suburban distribution corridors. Here's where the major facilities are located.

South Metro (Eagan, Shakopee, Lakeville, Burnsville)

This is the densest logistics corridor in the Twin Cities. Amazon MSP1 (Shakopee, 800,000 sq ft, 1,500+ employees), Amazon MSP6 (Lakeville, 750,000 sq ft), Dart Transit, T.A. Dedicated, Bay and Bay Transportation, McLane, and Murphy Logistics all operate here. Easy access to I-35 south and Highway 169.

North Metro (Fridley, Brooklyn Park, Blaine, Maple Grove)

Target's original distribution center (Fridley) anchors this corridor. Ruan's dedicated Target fleet runs from here. Amazon operates delivery stations in Maple Grove and Blaine, plus sortation centers in the Maple Grove area. Access to I-94 west and I-694.

East Metro (Woodbury)

Amazon MSP8 (517,000 sq ft, 500 employees) is the major facility here, along with growing 3PL operations. I-94 east corridor toward Wisconsin.

West Metro (Plymouth)

MVP Logistics and multiple 3PL operations. I-494 west corridor with access to the broader metro.

Commute tip: Most distribution centers sit along the I-494/I-694 beltway, so you can reach them without driving through downtown. Early morning start times (food distribution at 2:00 to 4:00 a.m., LTL at 4:00 to 6:00 a.m.) mean minimal traffic.

How to Get Hired for Truck Driving Jobs in Minneapolis

With a CDL

If you already have a CDL, the CDL jobs Minneapolis market is wide open. Apply directly to carriers rather than through staffing agencies. Direct-hire positions pay more, include better benefits, and offer faster advancement.

Top CDL employers to apply to directly:
- Ruan Transportation (Fridley): Target dedicated, home daily, $75K-$83K
- Old Dominion (Minneapolis terminal): LTL, $82K-$100K, paid CDL training available
- Sysco Minnesota: Food distribution, up to $110K, $10K sign-on bonus
- Schneider (MN operations): Regional, dedicated, intermodal
- FedEx Freight (Minneapolis terminal): $89K+ average, strong benefits

Sign-on bonuses of $5,000 to $12,000 are common across carriers in Minneapolis. Read the fine print: most require 6 to 12 months of employment or you pay it back.

Without a CDL

Non-CDL truck driving jobs in Minneapolis don't require driving school, and many employers provide all training on the job. Here's what you need:

1. Valid Class D driver's license with a clean 3-year driving record
2. DOT medical card ($75 to $150 at walk-in clinics). See our DOT physical requirements guide.
3. Pass a drug screening (pre-employment urine test)
4. Physical fitness (ability to lift 50-75 lbs for positions with loading/unloading)

That's it. No CDL. No driving school. No months of training before your first paycheck. For a complete walkthrough, see our guide on getting a box truck driving job with no experience.

Getting Your CDL in Minneapolis

If you want to upgrade to CDL positions, several options exist in the Twin Cities:

• 160 Driving Academy (Minneapolis): 4 weeks, ~$4,000-$5,000
• Interstate Truck Driving School (near Minneapolis): 3-4 weeks, $4,000-$6,000
• MN State Commercial Driver Academy (Anoka-Ramsey, Saint Paul College, Dakota County): 6 weeks, college tuition rates
• Employer-sponsored: Old Dominion offers a 280-hour paid CDL program. Sysco offers 3-week paid CDL training. Several carriers offer paid CDL training with a 1-year commitment.

The smart play for many drivers: start with a non-CDL box truck position, earn income immediately, then get your CDL through an employer-sponsored program at no cost.

What It's Like Driving in Minneapolis

Winter Driving

There's no way around it. Minneapolis winters are brutal for driving. Temperatures regularly drop below -10 degrees F, black ice forms on bridges and overpasses (especially I-35W and I-94), and snowstorms can shut down entire corridors.

The upside: drivers comfortable with winter conditions are in higher demand and often receive seasonal premiums. MnDOT maintains highways aggressively, and most carriers provide winter preparation support (tire chains, anti-gel additives, cold-weather kits). If you've driven through even one Minnesota winter in a personal vehicle, you have an advantage over out-of-state applicants.

Traffic Patterns

Rush hour congestion hits I-35W, I-94, and I-394 hard from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. Most truck driving schedules avoid peak hours entirely. Food distribution starts at 2:00 to 4:00 a.m. LTL P&D starts at 4:00 to 6:00 a.m. Box truck delivery routes launch between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. By the time traffic peaks, you're already on your route.

The I-494/I-694 beltway connects most distribution hubs without going through downtown, which keeps most commercial routes clear of the worst congestion.

Home Every Night

One of the biggest advantages of truck driving jobs in the Twin Cities, and what separates this market from most others, is the concentration of home-daily positions. Unlike markets where CDL drivers must choose between local (lower pay) and OTR (higher pay, away from home), Minneapolis offers home-daily jobs across the pay spectrum. LTL P&D, food distribution, dedicated fleet, and box truck delivery all get you home every night.

Natasha had been driving OTR out of Memphis for two years, earning $72,000 but seeing her kids three days a month. When she transferred to a Minneapolis LTL terminal, she took a $6,000 pay cut to $66,000 but was home every night. Within 18 months, her pay at the LTL carrier climbed to $78,000 with overtime. "I make more now than I did OTR," she says, "and I haven't missed a single one of my daughter's soccer games."

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do truck drivers make in Minneapolis?

CDL truck drivers in Minneapolis earn an average of $76,300 per year, with the top 10% earning over $98,000. Non-CDL box truck drivers earn $41,600 to $64,500 depending on route type and experience. Minneapolis salaries are 33% above the national BLS median for truck drivers.

What trucking companies are hiring in Minneapolis?

Major employers actively hiring include Ruan Transportation (Target dedicated), Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, Sysco Minnesota, XPO, Schneider, Dart Transit, Bay and Bay Transportation, and multiple Amazon DSPs. For non-CDL positions, regional carriers like Peak Transport and Amazon DSPs are hiring across the metro.

Can you get a truck driving job in Minneapolis with no experience?

Yes. Non-CDL box truck positions don't require commercial driving experience. Employers provide all training. You need a valid Class D license, clean driving record, and DOT medical card. Several CDL carriers also offer paid training programs, including Old Dominion (280-hour paid program) and Sysco (3-week paid program).

Do you need a CDL to drive a truck in Minneapolis?

Not for box trucks under 26,001 lbs GVWR. A standard Class D license is sufficient for most box truck and delivery positions. CDL is required for vehicles over 26,001 lbs, tankers, hazmat, and 16+ passenger vehicles. See the full box truck driver requirements.

What is the job outlook for truck drivers in Minneapolis?

Strong. The BLS projects 8% growth for delivery truck drivers through 2034. Minnesota's trucking sector is growing at 6%, above the national average. The state currently needs 3,925 additional drivers, and 68% of all freight in Minnesota moves by truck, contributing $5.6 billion annually to the state's GDP.

Is truck driving a good career in Minneapolis?

Yes. Minneapolis CDL drivers earn $76,300 on average while the cost of living is 6.8% below the national average, giving strong purchasing power. The concentration of Fortune 500 companies creates consistent freight demand. Home-daily positions are abundant. Non-CDL drivers can start earning immediately with a path to CDL advancement and $80,000+ salaries.

Start Driving in Minneapolis

The Minneapolis truck driving market offers something most cities can't: high pay, low cost of living, and enough home-daily positions to build a career without sacrificing your personal life. Whether you're a CDL driver looking for the best carrier or someone exploring truck driving for the first time, the opportunities are here.

For non-CDL drivers, Peak Transport is hiring box truck drivers across Minneapolis, Brooklyn Park, Shakopee, Eagan, and surrounding cities. W-2 positions with benefits, employer-paid training, and home-nightly schedules. Browse open positions and apply today.