Hot Shot Driver Jobs in Wisconsin (January 2026)

Mike Marshall, Shipping Expert

Best Hot Shot Driver Jobs in Wisconsin

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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 Hot Shot trucking jobs in Wisconsin. All 2 Hot Shot 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 Hot Shot trucking companies to work for in Wisconsin.

Sowinski Trucking, LLC

5818 Fire Lane, Rhinelander, WI, 54501
  • Salary range: $60,000-$80,000
  • Routes: interstate
  • Paid CDL training: true
  • Ongoing training: Paid CDL training
  • Tuition reimbursement: true
  • Power units: 39
  • Drivers: 36
  • Revenue: $8,862
  • Miles driven: 3,150,000 (2023)


Sowinski Trucking, LLC (DOT: 46473) is based in Wisconsin and specializes in interstate freight services. The company boasts a diverse cargo portfolio, including agricultural and farm supplies, beverages, building materials, fresh produce, and refrigerated foods, among others. They hire a versatile range of drivers, such as regional, dedicated, hazmat, and OTR drivers, indicating a focus on varied freight transport needs and specialized logistics solutions.

Drivers at Sowinski Trucking receive numerous benefits, including competitive salary packages ranging from $60,000 to $80,000, comprehensive health insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) retirement plans. Other advantages include guaranteed home time, safety and driver referral bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and ongoing training programs, ensuring their workforce is well-supported and continuously developed. The company also has a truck lease purchase program and allows for flexible scheduling to accommodate drivers' unique needs.

Sowinski Trucking garners an Indeed rating of 3.3, with employees frequently praising the company's robust benefits and supportive work environment. However, feedback highlights challenges with work-life balance and scheduling, as some drivers report inconsistencies in route planning and delivery timelines. Overall, they maintain a satisfactory safety rating, highlighting their commitment to operational excellence and driver safety.

Driver Options

  • OTR
  • Regional
  • Local
  • Dedicated
  • Flatbed
  • HAZMAT
  • Specialized
  • Owner/operator

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Health screenings
  • 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
  • Sign-on bonus
  • Safety bonus

Safety

CSA safety score: Satisfactory


  • Crashes: 5
  • Unsafe driving: 3.44
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.95
  • Vehicle maintenance: 5.13
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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Hanke Trucking, Inc.

765 Hilldale Road, Slinger, WI, 53086
  • Routes: interstate
  • Power units: 56
  • Drivers: 49
  • Revenue: $876
  • Miles driven: 2,688,934 (2024)

Hanke Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 141761) is a well-established trucking company operating out of Wisconsin. Although the exact founding date is unspecified, the company has been active for quite some time. Hanke Trucking specializes in transporting a diverse range of cargo, including building materials, coal/coke, dry bulk commodities, garbage/refuse, grain feed hay, machinery large objects, and other miscellaneous goods. They operate dry van trucks and dump trailers, and even offer hot shot services. Despite the varied cargo, they do not handle hazardous materials. The company hires a number of different driver types, although specifics on driver roles are not detailed.

Though it's unclear whether Hanke Trucking offers traditional benefits such as health insurance, vision coverage, or dental insurance, they do provide a satisfactory safety rating, indicating a commitment to maintaining a secure work environment. The company has not specified if they offer sign-on bonuses or CDL training, but their operational scale and volume hint at solid compensation structures. Employee reviews on platforms such as Glassdoor or Indeed are not readily available, suggesting potential areas for enhancing transparency and appeal to prospective employees.

Without specific ratings on Glassdoor or Indeed and without access to precise employee feedback due to privacy in the provided data, it's difficult to ascertain exact sentiments from current and former employees about Hanke Trucking. However, the data regarding their robust operation across various cargo types suggests that they maintain a solid reputation in the industry. Challenges that may be worth addressing include clarifying driver benefits and enhancing public visibility to attract and retain talent effectively.

Safety

CSA safety score: Satisfactory


  • Crashes: 5
  • Unsafe driving: 2.45
  • Driver fitness: 0.0
  • Hours-of-service compliance: 0.61
  • Vehicle maintenance: 7.74
  • Controlled substances: 0.0
  • Hazardous materials violations: 0
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Comparing Hot Shot Driver Jobs in Wisconsin

Company Salary range Tuition reimbursement Paid CDL training
Sowinski Trucking, LLC $60,000-$80,000
Hanke Trucking, Inc. N/A N/A N/A

FAQ

What do hot shot trucking jobs in Wisconsin involve?

Hot shot trucking usually means running smaller, time-sensitive loads on a pickup and gooseneck or flatbed trailer. You move freight that has to be delivered quickly, often on short notice, for customers like construction crews, oilfield sites or equipment suppliers.

If you like staying busy, planning your own days and working with lighter equipment than a full semi, hot shot trucking in WI can be a comfortable fit.

Do you need a CDL for hot shot jobs in Wisconsin?

Whether you need a CDL depends on the weight of your truck and trailer combination. Many hot shot setups in WI fall into Class A CDL territory because of the total weight. Smaller rigs may not require a CDL, but having one usually gives you more options and helps you qualify for better-paying loads.

How common are hot shot driving jobs in Wisconsin?

Hot shot work makes up a smaller share of the trucking market in Wisconsin. The state has 2 hot shot positions, and most fleets focus on other types of freight.

If you want this kind of work, you should target carriers and brokers that specialize in urgent or project-based loads.

Are hot shot loads in Wisconsin mostly local or regional?

Most hot shot freight in Wisconsin stays local or regional. Loads often move within a few hundred miles to support job sites, farms, shops and industrial customers. Longer runs do show up, but the core of hot shot work is shorter, time-sensitive routes that keep you moving and close to your customer base.

Are hot shot driving jobs with flexible schedules available in Wisconsin?

Flexible scheduling is available across many trucking companies in Wisconsin. A total of 19 employers list this benefit, which is more than the number of hot shot fleets. If you want both flexibility and hot shot freight, you may find strong options with larger carriers that operate several trailer types.

What kinds of companies run hot shot operations in Wisconsin?

Hot shot work in Wisconsin is often handled by very small fleets at this size. You are usually dealing with the owner or a single dispatcher, which keeps communication simple and decisions quick.

This setup tends to feel informal and flexible, but it also means fewer layers of support if something goes sideways.

What’s the hardest part of hot shot work in Wisconsin?

The tricky part is that the freight can be unpredictable. One week in WI you may have quick, easy runs, and the next week you might be juggling odd pickup times, tight delivery windows and last-minute changes. If you stay organized and keep your communication tight, you’ll handle the chaos a lot better.

Types of Trucking Jobs Available in Wisconsin

If you are considering different types of trucking jobs available in Wisconsin, aside from Hot Shot, 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.