Schneider National vs Prime Inc.
The two most popular carriers for brand-new CDL drivers. Schneider offers company-paid training with APU trucks and diverse divisions. Prime offers more specialty options with a lease purchase path.
Schneider National
- Pay
- $50,000 - $85,000
- Fleet
- 9,500+ trucks
- Rating
- 4/5
Prime Inc.
- Pay
- $50,000 - $80,000+
- Fleet
- 7,000+ trucks (company + independent)
- Rating
- 3.6/5
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pay
Schneider National
Schneider pays $50K-$85K with tanker and intermodal highest.
Prime Inc.
Prime pays $50K-$80K+ with specialty premiums.
Home Time
Schneider National
Regional, dedicated, intermodal offer weekly+.
Prime Inc.
Primarily OTR, 2-3 weeks out.
Benefits
Schneider National
Company-paid CDL, APU trucks, full benefits, 401(k).
Prime Inc.
CDL training, health, 401(k), lease purchase.
Training/Support
Schneider National
Highly structured CDL program with clear path to solo.
Prime Inc.
One of the largest CDL programs in the industry.
Equipment/Technology
Schneider National
APU Freightliners with telematics.
Prime Inc.
Mix of company and contractor 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.
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 and Georgia — worth knowing if you want to be domiciled there.
Listed by Schneider National and not by Prime Inc.
- • Company-paid CDL training
- • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- • 401(k) with match
- • Paid vacation and holidays
- • Company-provided trucks with APUs
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 Schneider National
- • Paid CDL training program
- • Health, dental, and vision insurance
- • 401(k) with company match
- • Rider and pet policy
- • Lease purchase program available
Our Verdict
Schneider is the safer, more consistent choice. Better equipment, better home time, company-paid training. Prime wins on specialty diversity and lease purchase. For most new drivers, Schneider is the recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which CDL training is better?
Both are excellent. Schneider is more standardized; Prime is larger.
Can I try reefer at Schneider?
Schneider doesn't have a dedicated reefer division. For reefer, Prime is better.
Which has newer trucks?
Schneider's company fleet is more consistent. Prime uses a mix of company and independent trucks.