J.B. Hunt Transport Services vs Prime Inc.
J.B. Hunt is the premium carrier for experienced drivers. Prime is the gateway carrier for new drivers. Many drivers train at Prime and move to J.B. Hunt.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Pay
- $55,000 - $95,000
- Fleet
- 12,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Rating
- 4.1/5
Prime Inc.
- Pay
- $50,000 - $80,000+
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
J.B. Hunt pays $55K-$95K with intermodal and DCS highest.
Prime Inc.
Prime pays $50K-$80K+ with specialty premiums.
Home Time
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Intermodal daily; DCS weekly.
Prime Inc.
Primarily OTR, 2-3 weeks out.
Benefits
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Day-one benefits, 401(k), PTO.
Prime Inc.
CDL training, health, 401(k), lease purchase.
Training/Support
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Prefers 6+ months experience.
Prime Inc.
Trains drivers from scratch. One of the largest CDL programs.
Equipment/Technology
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
360 platform, modern fleet.
Prime Inc.
Mix of company and independent trucks.
Where they actually differ
The scores above are our reading. This part is just the two carriers' profiles side by side — divisions, what they ask of a new hire, where they run, and which benefits only one of them lists.
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- Founded
- 1961
- Fleet
- 12,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Drivers
- 15,000+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Intermodal, Local
- Experience wanted
- 6 months CDL-A (some divisions accept recent graduates)
- Strongest states
- Arkansas, Texas and California
J.B. Hunt is one of the largest and most diversified transportation companies in North America. They pioneered intermodal freight and operate dedicated, final-mile, and truckload divisions. Based in Lowell, AR, J.B. Hunt is known for innovation and strong compensation.
Only J.B. Hunt Transport Services is strong in: Arkansas and California — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by J.B. Hunt Transport Services and not by Prime Inc.
- • Comprehensive health benefits from day one
- • Paid time off
- • Driver development programs
- • Late-model equipment
Prime Inc.
- Founded
- 1970
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Drivers
- 7,500+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Refrigerated, Tanker, Flatbed
- Experience wanted
- No experience required (paid CDL training available)
- Strongest states
- Missouri, Texas and Pennsylvania
Prime Inc. is one of the largest privately held trucking companies in North America, operating refrigerated, tanker, flatbed, and intermodal divisions. Based in Springfield, MO, Prime is known for their extensive CDL training program that produces thousands of new drivers annually.
Only Prime Inc. is strong in: Missouri and Pennsylvania — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Prime Inc. and not by J.B. Hunt Transport Services
- • Paid CDL training program
- • Health, dental, and vision insurance
- • Rider and pet policy
- • Lease purchase program available
Our Verdict
Prime to start your career; J.B. Hunt to advance it. Prime's CDL training is among the best for new drivers. J.B. Hunt's intermodal and DCS divisions are among the best for experienced drivers. The Prime-to-JBH pipeline is well-established.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I start at Prime and move to J.B. Hunt?
That's a very common and smart career path.
How long before I can switch?
Complete Prime's training commitment (usually 1 year), then apply to J.B. Hunt.
Is J.B. Hunt intermodal worth the wait?
For most drivers, yes. Home daily with competitive pay is hard to beat.
Learn More About These Companies
J.B. Hunt Transport Services
Lowell, AR · 12,000+ trucks (company + independent)