J.B. Hunt Transport Services
$55,000 - $95,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Intermodal, Local
Moderate Demand
Owner Operator Jobs in Arkansas
Browse owner-op trucking positions across Arkansas with top carriers hiring now.
Average Pay
$146,000 - $291,000+ gross
Demand Level
Moderate
Top Carriers
5+ Hiring
Key Cities
5+ Markets
Owner-Op Trucking in Arkansas
Arkansas is a strong market for owner-operators hauling petrochemical, agricultural, and port-related freight. The Gulf Coast's industrial base provides consistent freight volumes with competitive per-mile rates. The market for independent operators in Arkansas is moderate, with multiple freight brokers and load boards showing strong load availability.
Top Companies Hiring Owner-Op Drivers in AR
View Company
PAM Transport
$48,000 - $78,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated, Automotive
USA Truck (DB Schenker)
$50,000 - $75,000OTR, Regional, Dedicated
Landstar System
$150,000 - $300,000+ gross (owner-operators)OTR, Flatbed, Specialized, Owner-Operator
Mercer Transportation
$150,000 - $280,000+ gross (owner-operators)OTR, Flatbed, Specialized, Owner-Operator
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Arkansas
Each of these is a live posting with the pay, home time and requirements set out in full. Applying takes about a minute.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$53,000 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$57,500 - $81,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$60,000 - $85,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$60,500 - $86,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$62,500 - $88,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$63,500 - $89,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$66,500 - $94,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$54,000 - $76,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$44,500 - $62,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$50,000 - $71,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$50,500 - $71,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$53,000 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$43,500 - $61,000/year · Home daily
Top Cities for Owner-Op Jobs in Arkansas
Little Rock
Arkansas
Bentonville
Arkansas
Fort Smith
Arkansas
Fayetteville
Arkansas
Jonesboro
Arkansas
Key Freight Routes in Arkansas
1
I-40 (east-west through Little Rock)
2
I-30 (Little Rock to Dallas)
3
I-49 (Bentonville to Fort Smith)
Requirements for Owner-Op Driving in AR
- Valid CDL-A license with 2+ years verifiable experience
- Own or lease a truck meeting carrier/DOT specifications
- Active motor carrier authority (MC number) or willingness to lease onto a carrier
- Current IFTA registration and fuel tax compliance
- Commercial auto liability insurance ($1M minimum for most carriers)
- Clean CSA scores and satisfactory safety rating
Start Your Owner-Op Driving Career in Arkansas
Submit your application and get matched with companies hiring owner-op drivers in AR.
Owner-Op Trucking Jobs in Arkansas — FAQs
How much do owner-op truck drivers make in Arkansas?
Owner-Op truck drivers in Arkansas earn $146,000 - $291,000+ gross annually, depending on experience, endorsements, and carrier. While base pay in Arkansas is near the national average, the lower cost of living means take-home pay stretches further than in coastal states. Sign-on bonuses are widely advertised in this market, but the amount, the qualifying period and the clawback terms differ by carrier — read the offer letter rather than the recruiting ad, and ask when the money actually lands.
Is Arkansas a good state to base an owner-operator business?
Arkansas offers moderate freight volumes for owner-operators, with balanced inbound and outbound freight that minimizes deadhead miles. Operating costs including fuel, permits, and insurance should be factored against the state's load-to-truck ratio when choosing a home base.
Are trucking companies in Arkansas hiring owner-op drivers in 2026?
Yes — owner-op driver demand in Arkansas is moderate heading into 2026. The owner-op segment in Arkansas is expanding, with carriers adding routes and increasing hiring as freight volumes grow. Check individual carrier listings for current openings and application requirements in AR.