Highway Transport has increased compensation for experienced chemical tanker drivers.
Current recruiting information advertises regional compensation of approximately $73,000 to $91,520 annually, with rates reaching up to $0.88 per mile depending on location. OTR and system positions advertise approximately $100,000 to $150,000 annually, with rates reaching as high as $0.96 per mile. The carrier is also advertising additional pay changes for January 2027.
Highway Transport operates specialized liquid-bulk chemical freight, where drivers typically need tanker and hazmat qualifications.
That context matters — and it's the starting point for understanding what these numbers actually mean for drivers considering specialized freight.
Specialized Freight Should Be Compared Differently
Not every 90-cent-per-mile job is the same job.
Chemical tanker operations involve specialized equipment, additional training, hazardous-material responsibilities, and operating procedures that simply don't exist in ordinary dry-van freight. Before comparing the CPM to a dry-van or flatbed position, drivers need to understand what they're actually being paid to do.
What Chemical Tanker Operations Typically Involve
Liquid-bulk chemical freight is one of the more demanding segments of the trucking industry. Drivers in this space typically deal with:
Equipment complexity. Tanker trailers have different handling characteristics than dry vans or flatbeds. Liquid surge — the movement of liquid cargo during acceleration, braking, and cornering — affects how the truck handles and requires specific driving techniques. Drivers new to tanker operations need time to develop the feel for how a loaded tanker behaves differently than a loaded box trailer. Loading and unloading responsibilities. Chemical tanker drivers are often involved in the loading and unloading process in ways that dry-van drivers are not. This can include connecting and disconnecting hoses, operating pumps, monitoring flow rates, and ensuring proper documentation of the product being transferred. These responsibilities add time to each stop that isn't always reflected in the miles. Hazardous material compliance. Drivers hauling regulated hazardous materials must maintain current hazmat endorsements, understand the regulations governing the specific materials they're transporting, carry proper shipping papers, and ensure correct placarding. FMCSA and DOT regulations for hazmat transport are detailed and carry significant penalties for violations. Product knowledge. Chemical tanker drivers often develop working knowledge of the specific products they haul — their properties, hazards, and emergency response procedures. This knowledge takes time to build and is part of what makes experienced chemical tanker drivers valuable. Tank washing and cleaning. Depending on the operation, drivers may be involved in or responsible for coordinating tank cleaning between loads. This adds time and logistics complexity that doesn't exist in other freight segments.The Additional Responsibility Question
Drivers looking at specialized freight should honestly compare the additional responsibility against the additional compensation.
A driver earning 96 CPM in a chemical tanker operation is doing a different job than a driver earning 65 CPM in a dry-van operation. The question isn't whether 96 is bigger than 65. The question is whether the additional responsibility, training requirements, physical demands, and compliance obligations are worth the difference to you specifically.
For some drivers, the answer is clearly yes. The higher pay, the variety of the work, and the professional development that comes with specialized freight make it a compelling career path.
For others, the additional complexity isn't worth it — and that's a legitimate answer too.
Endorsements Can Increase Your Options
One lesson here is bigger than Highway Transport or any single carrier.
A CDL is an asset. What that asset can earn depends significantly on what endorsements and experience are attached to it.
Adding qualifications and experience can expand what that asset is capable of earning. Tanker, hazmat, and other specialized experience can open parts of the industry that aren't available to every Class A driver.
The Tanker Endorsement (N)
The CDL tanker endorsement is required to operate a commercial vehicle with a tank designed to transport liquids or gases with a capacity of 1,000 gallons or more. Obtaining the endorsement requires passing a knowledge test covering tanker vehicle operation, including liquid surge, emergency procedures, and inspection requirements.
The endorsement itself is relatively straightforward to obtain for drivers who study the material. The practical experience of operating tanker equipment safely takes longer to develop.
The Hazmat Endorsement (H)
The hazmat endorsement is required to transport hazardous materials in quantities requiring placarding. Obtaining the endorsement requires passing a knowledge test and completing a TSA security threat assessment, which includes a background check.
The hazmat endorsement opens access to a significant portion of the chemical tanker market, as well as other specialized freight segments including fuel hauling and certain agricultural chemicals.
The Combination (X) Endorsement
Drivers who hold both the tanker and hazmat endorsements can apply for the combination X endorsement, which covers both. Many chemical tanker positions require or prefer the X endorsement.
Other Endorsements Worth Considering
Beyond tanker and hazmat, other endorsements that can expand earning potential include:
- Double/Triple Trailers (T) — Required for pulling double or triple trailer combinations
- Passenger (P) — Required for commercial passenger vehicles
- School Bus (S) — Required for school bus operations
- Doubles/Triples (T) — Opens access to LTL and certain regional operations
Each endorsement requires a knowledge test and, in some cases, a skills test. The investment in time and study is typically modest compared to the earning potential it unlocks.
What to Ask Before Taking a Specialized Freight Job
Just like any trucking job, advertised maximum earnings aren't necessarily what every driver will make. The questions that matter in specialized freight are similar to general trucking — but with some additions.
Standard questions:- What are actual weekly miles for drivers in my specific terminal and lane?
- What is the detention pay rate and when does it start?
- What does home time look like for drivers at my domicile?
- What are the health insurance costs and coverage?
- What training is provided before I'm running solo?
- What products will I be hauling, and what are the specific handling requirements?
- Am I responsible for loading and unloading, and is that time compensated?
- What is the tank wash process, and is that time compensated?
- What happens if I'm involved in a spill or incident — what support does the company provide?
- What are the equipment maintenance standards, and how old is the fleet?
- Are there additional certifications or training requirements beyond the basic endorsements?
A carrier that can't answer these questions clearly before you're hired is a signal worth taking seriously.
Building a Specialized Freight Career
For drivers who decide that specialized freight is the right path, the career trajectory can be rewarding.
Experienced chemical tanker drivers with clean records, strong safety histories, and product knowledge are genuinely valuable in the market. The combination of technical skill, regulatory knowledge, and professional judgment required for chemical tanker operations isn't something that can be replaced easily.
Drivers who invest in building that expertise — through endorsements, training, and experience — are building a career asset that tends to hold its value even when the general freight market softens.
GladHands Pro takeaway: Don't just ask what the CPM is. Ask what you're required to do to earn it, how many paid miles you'll realistically run, what the loading and unloading responsibilities look like, and what your complete weekly compensation actually adds up to. Specialized freight pays more because it asks more — make sure the trade works for you.
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