Owner-Operator Pay

Each Landstar owner-operator is called a BCO, which stands for Business Capacity Owner. Owner-operator pay is determined by a percentage of the load's revenue, vs cents per mile, which is calculated according to the type of trailer the BCO is pulling and whether Landstar or the BCO owns it.

BCO PULLING LANDSTAR-OWNED TRAILER: Landstar pay is 65% of freight revenue.
BCO PULLING THEIR OWN TRAILER: Landstar pay is between 70% and 75% of freight revenue, depending on trailer type:
- Van Trailer: 72%
- Reefer Trailer: 75%
- Flatbed: 73%
- Stepdeck: 73%
- Specialized Trailer: 74%
- Heavy-haul Trailer: 75%
- Hot Shot Unit and Trailer: 70%
- Expedited Straight Truck: 62%
FUEL CHARGES / TARP FEES: 100% paid to BCO.

If you would like to speak to a recruiter about pay and more, click here. If you would like to apply, click here.

Owner-Operator Earnings Potential

Landstar BCOs say saving with Landstar's LCAPP® helps keep money in their pockets. Owner-operators save on everything from tires to hotel stays with the Landstar Contractors' Advantage Purchasing Program.

Landstar owner operators / BCOs select their own loads and are paid a percentage of the revenue. Landstar offers thousands of loads each day with revenue varying by location, commodity, and equipment required.

All loads are offered by over 1000 independent Landstar agencies throughout North America. Agencies are not confined to territory boundaries.

Since you are in complete control of the operation of your equipment, owner-operator earning potential is directly connected to how you run your operation. People who are organized and self starters are typically the most successful.

If you have questions about pay and earnings potential, click here. If you would like to apply, click here.

Landstar BCO Dave Hepp shares his experiences after joining Landstar including Freedom, Running Your Business, Fuel and Tire Savings, Landstar Events, Making Money, and Family Time

Landstar Pay Scenarios

Consider the following examples segregated by trailer type and trailer ownership:

Pay scenario pulling a 53’ Dry Van provided by Landstar

$ 1500.00 freight bill invoiced to customer and itemized as follows:

$ 1275.00 Line Haul
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge

$ 1053.75 is paid to the BCO, itemized as follows:

$ 828.75 Line Haul tractor at 65%
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge at 100%

Pay scenario pulling your own 53’ Dry Van

$ 1500.00 freight bill invoiced to customer and itemized as follows:

$ 1275.00 Line Haul
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge

$ 1143.00 is paid to the BCO, itemized as follows:

$ 828.75 Line Haul tractor at 65%
$ 89.25 Line Haul trailer at 7%
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge paid at 100%

pay scenario pulling your own 48’ Temperature Controlled Trailer

$ 1800.00 freight bill invoiced to customer and itemized as follows:

$ 1575.00 Line Haul
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge

$ 1406.25 is paid to the BCO, itemized as follows:

$ 1023.75 Line Haul tractor at 65%
$ 157.50 Line Haul trailer at 10%
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge paid at 100%

pay scenario pulling your own 48’ Flatbed

$ 1700.00 freight bill invoiced to customer and itemized as follows:

$ 1275.00 Line Haul
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge
$ 200.00 Tarp Fee

$ 1355.75 is paid to the BCO, itemized as follows:

$ 828.75 Line Haul tractor at 65%
$ 102.00 Line Haul trailer at 8%
$ 225.00 Fuel Surcharge paid at 100%
$ 200.00 Tarp Fee paid at 100%