Accessorial Pay
Additional compensation for services beyond basic freight transportation.
Definition
Accessorial pay covers additional services or circumstances beyond standard pickup-to-delivery transportation. Common accessorials include: detention pay (waiting at facilities), layover pay (overnight waiting), stop-off pay (multiple pickup/delivery locations), tarp pay (tarping flatbed loads), hazmat surcharge, and fuel surcharge. Accessorial pay can add $5,000-$15,000 annually to a driver's income.
Why it matters to you
Accessorials are the extras beyond the line-haul rate — stop-offs, tarping, detention, layover, driver assist. They are where two apparently identical jobs separate, because a carrier that pays for the work you actually do can beat a higher CPM that pays only for movement. Ask for the accessorial schedule in writing during hiring; most carriers have one and few advertise it.
FAQ
What does Accessorial Pay mean?
Additional compensation for services beyond basic freight transportation.
Why does Accessorial Pay matter to a driver?
Accessorials are the extras beyond the line-haul rate — stop-offs, tarping, detention, layover, driver assist. They are where two apparently identical jobs separate, because a carrier that pays for the work you actually do can beat a higher CPM that pays only for movement. Ask for the accessorial schedule in writing during hiring; most carriers have one and few advertise it.
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