Trucking Jobs in Kansas City, MO
CDL driver opportunities, local salary data, top industries, and major employers in Kansas City, Missouri.
Avg CDL Salary
$52,000 - $70,000
Population
2,200,000
Truck Stops
35
Cost of Living
Below Average
Top Industries in Kansas City
These industries drive freight demand and create the most CDL trucking jobs in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Major Trucking Employers in Kansas City
These companies and facilities employ CDL truck drivers and logistics professionals in the Kansas City, MO area.
Nearby Interstates & Freight Corridors
These major highways serve Kansas City and carry the highest volumes of commercial truck traffic through the area.
Trucking in Kansas City, MO
Kansas City has been a transportation hub since the days of wagon trains heading west on the Oregon and Santa Fe trails. Today, four major interstates converge here, and the metro's intermodal facilities handled by BNSF and Union Pacific connect West Coast imports to Midwest and Eastern markets. The Ford Fairfax Assembly Plant and GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kansas produce popular vehicles that generate steady auto parts inbound freight and finished vehicle outbound loads. The animal health corridor running through KC is the global center of veterinary pharmaceutical and pet food manufacturing, creating specialized cold chain and dry freight demand. Kansas City's barbecue industry even generates its own freight niche, with regional sauces and smoked meats shipping nationally from local producers. The cost of living here is substantially below coastal cities, and the metro's straddling of two states creates interesting tax optimization opportunities for drivers who choose their side carefully.
See all trucking jobs in Missouri
CDL salary data, freight corridors, and industries across MO
Browse Kansas City Jobs by Type
Explore specific CDL job categories available in Kansas City, MO.
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Openings we are recruiting for near Kansas City
These are live postings for Missouri. Most are domiciled in a metro rather than a building, so a seat listed for the state is usually workable from Kansas City.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$52,500 - $74,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$58,500 - $82,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$60,000 - $85,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$61,500 - $87,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$66,000 - $93,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$53,500 - $75,500/year · Home weekly
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking in Kansas City
What advantage does Kansas City's central location provide?
Kansas City sits almost exactly in the geographic center of the lower 48 states. Freight from KC can reach 90% of the U.S. population within two days by truck, making it ideal for national distribution.
What happened to Yellow Corporation in Kansas City?
Yellow (formerly YRC Worldwide), once the largest LTL carrier headquartered in KC, shut down in 2023. Other carriers like Estes Express and Old Dominion absorbed much of the freight and hired many former Yellow drivers.
What agricultural freight moves through Kansas City?
Kansas City is a hub for grain, livestock, and meat processing freight. Tyson Foods and Cargill operate major facilities in the area, and the KC Board of Trade historically set wheat prices worldwide.