Swift Local Truck Drivers — jobs, pay, paid training, requirements, schedules, and how to apply
If the goal is a driving job that gets you home most nights, Swift Transportation is one of the big carriers hiring local and dedicated drivers across the U.S. Swift runs local, regional, intermodal, and team routes and advertises a range of entry paths — including company training — so it’s worth a close look. Below is a practical, no-nonsense guide to what Swift hiring looks like today, how much drivers typically earn, whether there’s paid training, what the company requires, how schedules work, and how to apply.
What Swift hires for (local / dedicated roles)
Swift lists “Local” and “Dedicated” driving positions that emphasize returning drivers home nightly or weekly depending on lane. Local roles typically serve stores, cross-docks and short regional routes; dedicated lanes mean you run consistent customers and schedules. Swift’s careers pages group local openings separately, so you can search by “Local” jobs in your ZIP.
Pay — what drivers actually make
Pay depends heavily on the business unit and region. Publicly posted and crowd-sourced figures show a wide range:
• Local driver averages: Market data and reports put many Swift local driver pay levels in the neighborhood of $1,200–$1,600 per week on average for full schedules; some local postings list per-week estimates consistent with that band. On a per-mile basis, some Swift listings and job aggregators show $0.54–$0.60 per mile on certain dedicated lanes. These are illustrative numbers — exact pay varies by terminal, shift, and whether you’re paid hourly, by activity, or per mile.
• Hourly Rates: Average Swift Transportation Local Driver hourly pay in the United States is approximately $32.44, which is 32% above the national average.
• Annual Salaries: Average Swift Transportation Local Driver yearly pay in the United States is approximately $81,982, which is 12% above the national average.
The estimated average salary for a Local Truck Driver at Swift Transportation is $83,196 per year.
Benefits & extras
Swift advertises a standard commercial-driver benefits package for eligible full-time employees: medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with match, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off and weekly pay. Driver benefits eligibility and waiting periods vary; check the job posting or contact the recruiter for the exact enrollment timing and plan details.
Paid training — Swift Academy and how it works
Swift operates Swift Academy, a company training route used to develop drivers. The Academy offers a route to earn a Class A CDL with company support; practical reports from drivers indicate Swift’s training often involves a tuition/repayment model where academy costs are payroll-deducted but Swift provides compensation additions while you work to amortize that cost. In other words, many candidates are on payroll during training or early driving, and repayment terms are spread across paychecks rather than a single lump sum. Ask recruiters for current Academy cost, pay offsets, and exact repayment schedule — terms have changed over time and differ by cohort.
Many current job listings also mark “paid training” or “paid onboarding” for certain instructor/terminal roles; confirm which parts are paid and how.
Requirements — the usual checklist
Typical requirements for Swift local driver roles include:
• CDL-A (some student/academy programs accept recent grads or trainees).
• DOT medical card and ability to pass drug/alcohol screens.
• Acceptable driving record and background check per company policy.
• Ability to perform physical work (loading/unloading as needed) and meet shift start times.
Minimum ages and interstate rules follow federal standards (21+ for interstate operations). Confirm specifics on your posting.
Schedule & home time
Local positions are designed for daily home time; dedicated lanes often offer predictable weekly schedules. Start times are typically early (pre-shift load/dispatch windows) and peak season (holidays) increases overtime and weekend work. If “home every night” is critical, filter for local or home-daily postings and ask the recruiter to confirm typical start and finish windows.
Who this job fits
• New CDL grads who want paid apprenticeship-style onboarding.
• Drivers who prefer predictable routes and regular home time.
• People who want a large carrier with formal processes, a national network, and benefits.
If you prefer long-haul independence or owner-operator arrangements, other options may pay more per mile — but Swift’s cadence suits many seeking steadiness and company benefits.
How to apply — practical steps
1.Search Swift’s careers site and filter by “Local” and your ZIP or state.
2.Apply online and upload CDL, DOT medical card (if you have it) and your driving abstract.
3.Ask the recruiter exactly: pay plan (hourly vs activity vs per mile), any training cost/repayment terms, guarantee periods, typical home time, and benefit eligibility timelines. Get written confirmation.
Frequently asked questions (short answers)
Q: Does Swift pay while you train?
A: Swift runs Academy and onboarding programs where trainees are on payroll during major parts of training, but Academy tuition/repayment mechanics vary. Confirm current Academy tuition, payroll offsets and repayment schedule with a recruiter.
Q: How much will I actually earn in my first year?
A: First-year pay depends on route type and region—local drivers often report weekly pay in the low-to-mid-four-figure range depending on hours; get the terminal’s pay plan to model actual first-year income.
Q: Are benefits good?
A: Swift lists standard employer benefits (medical/dental/401k/PTO/stock plan). Benefit quality is comparable to other major carriers; confirm eligibility windows and cost sharing.
Bottom line
Swift offers multiple local and dedicated driving paths with competitive regional pay, formal benefits, and company training through Swift Academy. If you want steady home time and a large carrier with formal onboarding, Swift is worth applying to — but always verify the terminal’s exact pay plan, training repayment terms, and expected schedule in writing before you sign on.