Refrigerated (Reefer) Driver Jobs
Temperature-controlled hauling of perishable goods including produce, meat, dairy, and pharmaceuticals. Seasonal demand spikes mean bonus opportunities.
Average Pay
$55,000 - $85,000
Home Time
Varies by season
Experience Required
6+ months CDL-A
Reefer driving jobs we are recruiting for
Each of these sets out the pay band, home time and requirements in full. Applying takes about a minute.
OTR Reefer Driver — Alabama
$56,500 - $79,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Alaska
$69,500 - $98,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Arizona
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Arkansas
$57,500 - $81,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — California
$62,000 - $88,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Colorado
$64,000 - $90,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Connecticut
$62,000 - $88,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Delaware
$57,500 - $81,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Florida
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Georgia
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Hawaii
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Idaho
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Illinois
$62,500 - $88,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Indiana
$61,000 - $86,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Iowa
$60,000 - $85,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Kansas
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Kentucky
$60,000 - $85,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Louisiana
$52,000 - $73,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Maine
$56,000 - $79,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Maryland
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Massachusetts
$63,500 - $90,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Michigan
$56,500 - $80,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Minnesota
$64,000 - $90,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Mississippi
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Missouri
$57,000 - $80,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Montana
$59,500 - $84,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Nebraska
$60,000 - $85,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Nevada
$65,000 - $92,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — New Hampshire
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — New Jersey
$67,000 - $94,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — New Mexico
$53,000 - $75,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — New York
$66,000 - $93,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — North Carolina
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — North Dakota
$63,500 - $89,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Ohio
$61,000 - $86,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Oklahoma
$58,000 - $81,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Oregon
$64,500 - $91,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Pennsylvania
$60,000 - $84,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Rhode Island
$60,000 - $84,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — South Carolina
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — South Dakota
$58,500 - $83,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Tennessee
$60,500 - $85,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Texas
70¢ per mile · 3 weeks out, then 3–4 days off
OTR Reefer Driver — Texas
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Utah
$61,000 - $86,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Vermont
$61,500 - $86,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Virginia
$58,000 - $82,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Washington
$68,500 - $96,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — West Virginia
$52,500 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Wisconsin
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver — Wyoming
$63,500 - $89,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
What to Expect as a Reefer Driver
Refrigerated (reefer) trucking involves hauling temperature-controlled freight -- produce, frozen foods, dairy, meat, pharmaceuticals, and floral products. The reefer unit on the trailer maintains precise temperatures, and drivers must monitor it throughout the trip to prevent spoilage and ensure compliance with food safety regulations.
Seasonal freight surges make reefer driving both lucrative and unpredictable. Spring and summer produce seasons (California, Florida, Georgia, Arizona) spike demand and rates. Drivers who position themselves in produce-heavy regions during peak months can earn significantly more than their annual average, sometimes adding $10,000 to $20,000 in seasonal bonuses.
KLLM Transport and Prime Inc. are two of the largest reefer carriers in North America. Both offer paid CDL training for new drivers entering the refrigerated segment. Pre-trip inspections for reefer loads are more involved than dry van -- you check the reefer unit temperature, fuel level, and airflow in addition to standard vehicle inspection procedures.
Reefer driving suits drivers who appreciate variety in their freight and destinations. You might haul strawberries from Salinas to Chicago one week and frozen chicken from Georgia to New York the next. The pay premium over dry van work is modest but consistent, and the specialized knowledge makes reefer drivers more valuable to carriers.
Key Highlights
- Seasonal produce bonuses ($10K-$20K extra)
- Temperature monitoring responsibility
- Steady year-round frozen/dairy freight
- Multiple major carriers hiring year-round
Reefer Positions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Reefer Driving
Do reefer drivers need special training or endorsements?
No additional CDL endorsements are required for refrigerated hauling. However, drivers need to understand reefer unit operation, temperature monitoring, pre-trip inspection of the refrigeration system, and food safety regulations. Most reefer carriers provide specific training during orientation.
When is produce season for reefer drivers?
Produce season peaks from April through September, with specific timing by region: Florida and Arizona produce moves heaviest from December to April, California produce peaks May through October, and Georgia produce season runs April through August. These seasonal surges drive up rates and earning potential.
What happens if the reefer unit breaks down?
A reefer breakdown is a time-sensitive emergency because cargo can spoil. Drivers must immediately contact dispatch and the reefer maintenance hotline. Most carriers have 24/7 reefer repair networks. The driver's responsibility is monitoring temperature alarms and reporting issues promptly -- mechanical repair is handled by certified reefer technicians.