Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance Revenue Benchmarks
The average specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance business in the United States generates $2.9M in annual revenue, according to the U.S. Census Bureau Statistics of U.S. Businesses (SUSB 2021). There are 10,058 specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance businesses in the U.S., employing 166,880 workers with an average profit margin of 5.0%. The average employee in this industry earns $78K per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW 2023).
What Does a Specialized Freight Business Actually Do?
Long-haul specialty trucking — auto transport (Reliable Carriers), heavy haul (oversized loads), hazmat, refrigerated OTR.
Who buys: Auto dealers, industrial shippers, food/agricultural shippers.
Average Revenue
$2.9M
per year
Profit Margin
5.0%
industry average
Revenue / Employee
$172K
per year
Total Businesses
10,058
in the US
Est. Owner Income
$143K
small business avg
Labor Cost
35.0%
of revenue
Avg Employee Wage
$78K
per year (BLS)
Market Saturation
3.0
firms per 100K people
How Much Do Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance Charge?
Long-haul specialty freight — auto, heavy, hazmat, oversized, refrigerated.
| Service | Typical range |
|---|---|
Auto transport (per mile) | $0.75–1.50/mile per car |
Heavy haul (per mile) | $5–12/mile |
Oversized (permits + escort) | $4–8/mile + $2K–$25K permits |
Refrigerated OTR | $2.50–3.75/mile |
Ranges based on industry rate surveys and typical published pricing. Actual quotes vary by city, business size, and job complexity.
Complete specialized freight business plan
A 12-section data-backed business plan for a specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance business — executive summary, market analysis, competitive landscape, revenue model, 3-year financial projections, operations, marketing, staffing, funding request. Pre-populated with real Census, IRS, and BLS data on this industry. Free to view.
Cost Structure — Where Every $100 in Revenue Goes
Approximate P&L breakdown for the specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance industry. Labor share and net profit are grounded in Census SUSB and IRS SOI data. Other lines are split using sector-typical ratios.
| Category | Per $100 revenue | Per typical business | What's in it |
|---|---|---|---|
Fuel & vehicle costs | $30 | $855K | Fuel is often the single biggest line — plus tires, maintenance, tolls. |
Wages & benefits | $35 | $998K | Payroll for all employees at the business (owner comp not included for small owner-operators). |
Rent & facilities | $6 | $171K | Rent or mortgage on business location plus utilities tied to the space. |
Marketing & advertising | $3 | $86K | Google/Meta ads, SEO, print, referral fees, event sponsorships. |
Other operating costs | $21 | $599K | Insurance (very high), truck payments, dispatching software, driver benefits. |
Net profit | $5 | $143K | What remains for the owner or shareholders after all business expenses. |
Directionally accurate for a typical business in the industry. Individual businesses vary widely — a franchise may run a very different cost mix from an independent, and older established businesses often have lower labor share than newer ones.
Average Revenue by Business Size
Industry Dynamics (Census BDS 2023)
New Business Rate
13.05%
openings/year
Closure Rate
14.23%
closings/year
Net Job Growth
-0.69%
annual
Businesses Closed
5,742
in 2023
Firm Count Trend
Should You Start a Specialized Freight Business?
Startup Cost
$50K – $250K
Break-Even
13 months
5-Year Survival Rate
50.0%
Related Industries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does a specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance business do?
- Long-haul specialty trucking — auto transport (Reliable Carriers), heavy haul (oversized loads), hazmat, refrigerated OTR. Auto dealers, industrial shippers, food/agricultural shippers.
- How much do specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance charge?
- Long-haul specialty freight — auto, heavy, hazmat, oversized, refrigerated. See the pricing table above for typical rates by service type.
- How much does the average specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance make per year?
- The average specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance business generates $2.9M in annual revenue, based on U.S. Census Bureau data (SUSB 2021). After expenses, the estimated owner profit is $143K per year at a 5.0% profit margin.
- How many specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance businesses are there in the US?
- There are 10,058 specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance businesses operating in the United States, employing a total of 166,880 workers.
- How much does it cost to start a specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance business?
- Startup costs for a specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance business typically range from $50K to $250K, with a 5-year survival rate of 50.0%.
- What is the average salary in the specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance industry?
- The average employee in the specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance industry earns $78K per year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data (QCEW 2023).
Industry Growth & Survival
The specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance industry is relatively stable — with a net job growth rate of -0.7%. Entry and exit rates are balanced at 13.1% and 14.2% respectively.
Approximately 46% of specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance businesses survive their first 5 years. This is near the national average (~50%), with typical business risk. In 2023, 5,742 firms in this industry closed permanently.
Employment & Wages
The average employee in the specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance industry earns $77,759/year. This is significantly above the national average of ~$65K, reflecting the skilled nature of this work. With 13,005 establishments employing 134,143 people, the typical business has about 10 employees.
Industry Trend (2000–2023)
The specialized freight (except used goods) trucking, long-distance industry has declined 8% since 2000 (from 45,868 to 42,221 firms).
See full historical statistics →Compare Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance revenue with other industries: