🚢 Intermodal Owner-Operator Earnings
Complete earnings breakdown for Intermodal owner-operators — gross revenue, operating expenses, net income, regional data, and top-paying lanes.
National Averages
Annual Gross Revenue
$195,000
$16,250/mo
Annual Expenses
$125,000
$10,417/mo
Annual Net Income
$70,000
$5,833/mo
Regional Breakdown
| Region | Avg Monthly Gross | Top Lanes |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $17,500 |
|
| Southeast | $16,200 |
|
| Midwest | $17,000 |
|
| West | $18,500 |
|
| Southwest | $16,800 |
|
Cost Breakdown
| Category | Monthly | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | $3,200 | 30.7% |
| Insurance | $1,500 | 14.4% |
| Truck Payment | $1,800 | 17.3% |
| Chassis Rental | $1,200 | 11.5% |
| Maintenance | $900 | 8.6% |
| Tires | $280 | 2.7% |
| Permits/Licensing | $250 | 2.4% |
| ELD/Technology | $85 | 0.8% |
| Dispatch Fee | $900 | 8.6% |
| Misc (Tolls, Per Diem, Port Fees) | $300 | 2.9% |
| Total | $10,417 | 100% |
Fuel
Insurance
Truck Payment
Chassis Rental
Maintenance
Tires
Permits/Licensing
ELD/Technology
Dispatch Fee
Misc (Tolls, Per Diem, Port Fees)
Top Paying Lanes
| Origin | Destination | Rate/Mile | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach CA | Inland Empire CA | $2.40/mi | 65 |
| Port Newark NJ | Chicago IL | $2.25/mi | 790 |
| Savannah GA | Atlanta GA | $2.10/mi | 250 |
| Oakland CA | Reno NV | $2.35/mi | 230 |
| Norfolk VA | New York NY | $2.20/mi | 360 |
Your Take-Home Calculation
Annual Gross
$195,000
Minus Expenses
- $125,000
Annual Net
= $70,000
Effective Hourly Rate
~$25/hr
Based on 55 hrs/wk, 50 wks/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
Intermodal owner-operators average around $195,000 gross and $70,000 net annually. Company intermodal drivers earn $55,000-75,000 per year. Drayage drivers hauling containers short distances from ports and rail yards can earn more per hour due to high turn frequency, though annual mileage is lower than OTR. Dedicated intermodal contracts often pay premium rates for reliability.
Intermodal trucking involves hauling shipping containers or trailers that travel by multiple modes of transportation — typically ship or rail for long-haul, then truck for the first and last mile. Drayage drivers pick up containers at ports, rail yards, or intermodal facilities and deliver them to warehouses, distribution centers, or other transfer points. Most intermodal work is local or regional, meaning drivers are often home daily.
Yes. Intermodal trucking requires a chassis — the wheeled frame that shipping containers sit on. Some drivers own their chassis, but most rent them from chassis pools at ports and rail yards ($15-30/day). You also need a standard day cab or short-hood tractor (sleeper cabs are unnecessary since most runs are local). A TWIC card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential) is required for port access, costing $125.25 with a 5-year renewal.
Intermodal can be highly profitable for the right operation. Lower mileage is offset by high turn rates — experienced drayage drivers complete 3-5 loads per day. Fuel costs are lower due to short distances. The main cost variable is chassis rental, which can eat into margins if you are not on a favorable pool agreement. Drivers near major ports (LA/Long Beach, Newark, Savannah, Houston) have the most consistent freight volume.
The busiest US intermodal hubs are the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach (largest container port complex), Port Newark/Elizabeth NJ (largest East Coast port), Savannah GA (fastest-growing port), Houston TX, and Charleston SC. Major inland rail hubs include Chicago (the nation's largest rail hub handling 25% of all US intermodal traffic), Kansas City, Memphis, and Dallas. Proximity to these hubs directly impacts freight availability and earnings potential.
See How These Numbers Compare
Explore earnings for all 7 equipment types, or use our free calculators to estimate your personal take-home based on your lanes, costs, and revenue.