Hopper Bottom Trucking Jobs in South Dakota (January 2026)

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

Best Hopper Bottom Trucking Jobs in South Dakota

Why Trust Freightwaves Checkpoint?

There's a reason we're one of the world's leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.

We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best Hopper Bottom trucking jobs in South Dakota. All 2 Hopper Bottom trucking companies are closely scrutinized based on their service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies' safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real employees have to say about their experience.

From there, we narrow the field to the strongest, highest-rated employers so you get a timely, well-informed list of the best Hopper Bottom trucking companies to work for in South Dakota.

Heyl Truck Lines, Inc.

1809 N Louise Ave, Sioux Falls, SD, 57107
  • Salary range: $75,000-$85,000 per year
  • Routes: interstate
  • Paid CDL training: true
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Tuition reimbursement: true
  • Power units: 550
  • Drivers: 550
  • Revenue: $2,076,000
  • Miles driven: 56,300,000 (2024)


Heyl Truck Lines, Inc. (DOT: 65762) was established in 1949 and is based in South Dakota. The company is known for its expertise in refrigerated freight transport, utilizing a fleet that includes reefer, flatbed, and dry van trucks. Heyl Truck Lines carries a diverse array of cargo, including beverages, building materials, fresh produce, general freight, meat, metal sheets, coils, rolls, paper products, and refrigerated foods. They employ a variety of drivers such as regional, local, team, OTR, and tanker drivers, providing both solo and team driving opportunities.

Heyl Truck Lines offers an attractive benefits package to its drivers, including health insurance with dental and vision coverage, life insurance, paid time off, and a retirement plan (401k). The company is committed to driver satisfaction with programs like sign-on bonuses, ongoing training and development, a truck lease purchase program, direct deposit pay advances, and tuition reimbursement. Drivers also benefit from safety bonuses, deadhead and detention compensation, and guaranteed home time. Fuel cards and gym memberships are available, reflecting their commitment to driver well-being.

On employee review platforms, Heyl Truck Lines has an Indeed rating of 3.6 and a Glassdoor rating of 3.5. Employees frequently praise the company for its competitive pay, range of benefits, and new driver programs. However, some reviews mention challenges with work-life balance and a desire for more flexible scheduling. Overall, feedback suggests that Heyl Truck Lines maintains a satisfactory work environment with room for improvement in operational efficiency and support.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Dedicated
  • Team
  • Flatbed
  • Tanker
  • Reefer
  • Owner/operator
  • LTL

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Vision coverage
  • Gym membership
  • Life insurance
  • 401(k)
  • PTO
  • Guaranteed home time
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Dedicated routes
  • Truck lease-to-purchase program
  • Paid CDL training
  • Ongoing training
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Deadhead compensation
  • Rider & pet allowances
  • Sign-on bonus
  • Safety bonus

Safety

CSA safety score: Satisfactory


  • Crashes: 39
  • Unsafe driving: 1.06
  • Driver fitness: 0.02
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.17
  • Vehicle maintenance: 2.47
  • Controlled substances: 0.03
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
Apply for Trucking Jobs

Pete Lien & Sons, Inc.

3401 Universal Dr, Rapid City, SD, 57702
  • Routes: interstate
  • Power units: 142
  • Drivers: 134
  • Revenue: $24,907
  • Miles driven: 729,155 (2024)

Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. (DOT: 198034) was established in 1944 and is primarily located in South Dakota. The company specializes in transporting various types of materials, with a strong focus on building materials, construction, and large machinery. As a part of their operation, they employ flatbed drivers and manage a fleet size of 142 trucks, with 100+ corporate units.

While Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. offers a noteworthy service in cargo transport, the company lacks several common driver benefits typically seen in the industry. They do not offer benefits such as health insurance, paid time off, or a 401k retirement plan. However, their focus on specialized cargo like tankers and pneumatic services positions them uniquely in their niche market.

Currently, there is no public employee feedback available on platforms like Glassdoor or Indeed, which suggests either a limited online presence or a less active feedback loop with current and former employees. Despite the lack of detailed employee reviews, the company maintains an active DOT status with a satisfactory safety rating, indicating a stable operation within the industry.

Safety

CSA safety score: Satisfactory


  • Crashes: 2
  • Unsafe driving: 0.14
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.12
  • Vehicle maintenance: 8.45
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
Apply for Trucking Jobs

Comparing Hopper Bottom Trucking Jobs in South Dakota

Company Salary range Tuition reimbursement Paid CDL training
Heyl Truck Lines, Inc. $75,000-$85,000 per year
Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. N/A

FAQ

What does hopper bottom trucking involve?

Hopper bottom trucking focuses on hauling bulk commodities like grain, feed, fertilizer, sand and seed using trailers that unload from the bottom. Instead of hoses or pumps, you open doors or gates under the trailer and let gravity do the work.

You’ll spend a lot of time at farms, grain elevators, feed mills and processing plants, and the job tends to be seasonal in some regions and steady year-round in others.

Do South Dakota hopper bottom routes have predictable schedules?

Most hopper lanes follow the pace of agriculture, grain processing and seasonal harvests. That means you may stay very busy during peak times, while other stretches of the year offer steadier, easier days. If you like routine stops but also enjoy a little seasonal variety, hopper work strikes a good balance.

How common are hopper bottom trucking jobs in South Dakota?

Hopper bottom jobs make up a smaller portion of trucking in South Dakota, with 2 roles tied to agriculture and grain processing. If you want work that connects you to farming and local industry, you’ll still find good opportunities even in a smaller market.

Are hopper bottom routes in South Dakota good for someone who prefers open-road driving?

Yes, especially if you run routes between plants, mills and storage facilities. Hopper freight often keeps you on rural highways and farm roads instead of heavy city traffic. If you enjoy open stretches and quieter delivery points, hopper work in South Dakota fits that preference well.

Do SD hopper bottom drivers deal with long wait times during harvest season?

Harvest season can lead to more waiting at elevators or farm sites, but the upside is consistent freight and strong earning potential. If you plan your day around the busiest times, you can keep things running smoothly.

Many SD drivers say the seasonal rush is part of what makes hopper work rewarding.

Types of Trucking Jobs Available in South Dakota

If you are considering different types of trucking jobs available in South Dakota, aside from Hopper Bottom, here are other top options:

Mike Marshall
Mike Marshall is a senior contributor at FreightWaves with nearly a decade of focused experience in the trucking, car shipping, and moving industries. His work focuses on breaking down complex logistics topics into clear, practical guidance for consumers and industry professionals alike. Drawing on years of hands-on research and analysis at FreightWaves, Mike brings an insider’s perspective to every article, helping readers understand costs, processes, risks, and best practices across the transportation and relocation space.