Schneider National vs Heartland Express
Schneider is a diversified mega carrier with CDL training. Heartland is a truckload specialist focused on short-to-medium haul. Schneider offers more career paths; Heartland offers better home time.
Schneider National
- Pay
- $50,000 - $85,000
- Fleet
- 9,500+ trucks
- Rating
- 4/5
Heartland Express
- Pay
- $55,000 - $80,000
- Fleet
- 5,000+ trucks
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Schneider National
Schneider pays $50K-$85K with tanker and intermodal earning most.
Heartland Express
Heartland pays $55K-$80K with consistent miles.
Home Time
Schneider National
Schneider regional and dedicated offer weekly; OTR is less predictable.
Heartland Express
Heartland's short-haul model genuinely gets drivers home more often.
Benefits
Schneider National
Schneider offers company-paid CDL training, APU trucks, full benefits.
Heartland Express
Heartland provides health, 401(k) match, paid orientation.
Training/Support
Schneider National
Schneider's company-paid CDL training is among the industry's best.
Heartland Express
Heartland prefers 1 year experience. Not ideal for brand-new drivers.
Equipment/Technology
Schneider National
Schneider runs APU-equipped Freightliners with advanced telematics.
Heartland Express
Heartland maintains late-model Freightliners.
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.
Schneider National
- Founded
- 1935
- Fleet
- 9,500+ trucks
- Drivers
- 12,000+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Tanker, Intermodal
- Experience wanted
- Recent graduates accepted (Schneider training program)
- Strongest states
- Wisconsin, Texas and Georgia
Schneider is a premier multimodal carrier headquartered in Green Bay, WI. They offer diverse driving opportunities including van, intermodal, tanker, and dedicated divisions. The company is well-regarded for driver training, safety culture, and technology adoption.
Only Schneider National is strong in: Wisconsin — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Schneider National and not by Heartland Express
- • Company-paid CDL training
- • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- • 401(k) with match
- • Paid vacation and holidays
- • Company-provided trucks with APUs
Heartland Express
- Founded
- 1978
- Fleet
- 5,000+ trucks
- Drivers
- 5,000+
- Divisions
- OTR, Regional, Dedicated
- Experience wanted
- 1 year CDL-A preferred (some recent graduate programs)
- Strongest states
- Iowa, Texas and Georgia
Heartland Express is a major irregular-route truckload carrier focused on short-to-medium haul lanes. Known for getting drivers home more frequently than typical OTR carriers, Heartland operates primarily in the eastern two-thirds of the U.S.
Only Heartland Express is strong in: Iowa — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Heartland Express and not by Schneider National
- • Medical, dental, and vision
- • 401(k) with company match
- • Paid orientation
- • Late-model Freightliner equipment
- • Weekly home time options
Our Verdict
Schneider for new drivers (CDL training, more divisions) and those wanting career diversity. Heartland for experienced drivers who want the most home time possible. Different carriers for different priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for a new CDL driver?
Schneider, with company-paid CDL training and more division options.
Which gets you home more?
Heartland, due to their short-to-medium haul business model.
Can I switch from Schneider to Heartland?
Yes, with clean experience at Schneider, Heartland would consider you.