Owner Operator Statistics & Data Every Trucker Should Know in 2026

The trucking industry moves hundreds of billions in gross freight revenue every year — and owner operators shoulder a massive share of that work. But how many owner operators are actually on the road, what do they earn, and what does it really cost to run a truck in today's market? Here's every stat that matters.

Key Takeaways

• There are between 587,000 and 922,854 owner-operators in the U.S., depending on the source. The FMCSA count is the most current at 922,854 independent contractors as of late 2023.
• The average cost to operate a truck reached $2.26 per mile in 2024, with non-fuel operating costs hitting a record high of $1.779 per mile, according to the ATRI.
• Owner operators gross $200,000–$350,000/year but net only $60,000–$120,000 after fuel costs, insurance, maintenance, and other expenses. The average among ATBS clients reached $64,524 in 2024-2025, up 2.5% from 2023. High-performing operators average $87,614, with the top third earning $156,000 annually.
• 85–90% of new owner-operator businesses fail within the first two years, primarily due to cash-flow problems and underestimating operating costs.
• Fuel discounts from fleet fuel cards can save owner-operators $5,941–$ 26,404 per year, making them one of the most effective tools for improving profitability.

How Many Owner Operators Are in the United States?

The exact number of owner-operators depends on who's counting—and how they define the term. Here's what the major sources report:

Why the gap?

The FMCSA tracks registered motor carriers through vehicle registration data, capturing the full trucking universe. The BLS uses survey-based estimates that tend to undercount self-employed truck drivers. The ATA uses a broader definition that includes many independent contractors who lease onto for-hire carriers rather than operating under their own authority.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics confirmed the FMCSA figure of 922,854 independent owner-operators, noting it's the most complete count because it captures every registered carrier—not just survey respondents.

Regardless of the exact number, one thing is clear: owner operators form the backbone of the American freight system. The trucking industry is overwhelmingly made up of small businesses. According to the ATA's 2025 American Trucking Trends report, 91.5% of carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks, and 99.3% operate fewer than 100 power units. Among for-hire carriers operating tractor-trailers, nearly 65% of trucking companies have just one power unit.

How Big Is the Trucking Industry?

The global freight trucking market is valued at approximately $2.2 trillion, with the U.S. market generating significant gross freight revenue. In 2022, the trucking industry generated $940.8 billion in gross freight revenue (ATA). However, the industry contracted significantly, with revenues declining to $906 billion in 2024 and tonnage falling to 11.27 billion tons (down from 11.41 billion tons in 2023). This decline reflects the prolonged freight recession that began in mid-2022 and continues into early 2026.

Here's a snapshot of the trucking industry by the numbers:

The trucking industry is growing despite recent headwinds. The global freight trucking market is projected to reach $3.4 trillion by 2030, growing at a 5.4% CAGR. Employment for truck drivers is projected to grow through 2032, with about 1.9 million openings yearly across the transportation industry.

However, the rapid growth that followed the COVID-19 pandemic has given way to a prolonged freight recession. During the pandemic, new motor carrier certificates surged by 59% from 2019, reaching approximately 70,000 per year. That flood of new capacity has kept freight demand and rates under pressure ever since.

Owner Operator Demographics: Age, Gender, and Diversity

The typical owner-operator profile has been shifting in recent years. Here are the key demographic owner-operator statistics:

Age: The average age of owner-operators is 47 years, with 72% aged 40 or older (Zippia/BLS). The aging workforce is a growing concern across the trucking industry, as fewer trucks are being driven by younger workers entering the field.

Gender: Women now make up 8% of all truck drivers, marking the seventh consecutive annual increase (Geotab). Among broader owner/operator roles tracked by Zippia, women represent 33.2% — though this includes non-trucking business owners. For driver-specific owner-operator roles, the number is closer to 10.6% women.

Ethnicity: The most common ethnicity among owner operators is White (61.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (17.1%), Black or African American (12.1%), and other groups (Zippia/Census Bureau). Approximately 25.9% of truck drivers are classified as non-White, non-Hispanic, a figure that continues to increase over time.

Education: Most truckers hold a high school diploma or GED. Among owner-operators specifically, 44% hold a high school diploma as their highest degree, while some hold an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. Very few truck drivers have higher education — the industry values CDL certification and on-road experience over formal degrees.

How Much Do Owner Operators Earn?

This is where the numbers get tricky. Owner operators can earn significantly more than company drivers — but only if they manage their business well.

Gross revenue: The average pay for owner-operators ranges from $200,000 to $350,000 per year. What you haul, how many miles you run, and whether you operate solo or as a team all affect this number.

Net income: After subtracting fuel costs, maintenance, insurance costs, truck payments, permits, tolls, taxes, and other expenses, most owner operators net between $60,000 and $120,000 per year. The average among ATBS clients reached $64,524 in 2024-2025, up 2.5% from 2023. High-performing owner operators continue to earn significantly more, with the top third of ATBS long-term clients averaging $156,000 annually. Operators who use effective cost management and fuel-efficiency strategies average $87,614 in net income.

Per-mile rates (2025-2026):

For comparison, employee drivers — company drivers working under a carrier — typically earn between $55,000 and $85,000/year. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $57,440 for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers (May 2024). Truck drivers earned less on a per-mile basis as company employees, but they also don't shoulder the business expenses that come with owning your own equipment.

The real question isn't what you gross — it's what stays in your pocket after operating costs.

Owner Operator Expenses and Operating Costs

The ATRI's 2025 Operational Costs of Trucking report — the gold standard for cost-per-mile data — found that the average cost of operating a truck in 2024 was $2.26 per mile. When you exclude fuel, non-fuel operating costs rose 3.6% to $1.779 per mile, the highest level ever recorded by ATRI for non-fuel operating costs.

Here's a detailed breakdown of where the money goes:

A few expense trends that matter for 2026:

• Truck and trailer payments surged 8.3% to $0.39/mile — the biggest cost increase in 2024.
• Insurance costs hit a record $0.102/mile, a 3% increase. Insurance premiums have risen 47% since 2010 for fleets of 1–20 trucks (ATRI).
• Maintenance costs are $1,234 per month, or approximately 14 cents per mile (ATBS 2025), up 6.6% from 2023 as owner-operators run more miles. Costs vary dramatically by truck age, freight type, and routes. ATRI reports industry-wide repair and maintenance at $0.198 per mile in 2024, down 2% from 2023 due to newer fleet ages.
• Fuel efficiency improved to an average of 7.12 MPG among ATBS clients in 2024 — helping offset some fuel costs through better driving habits and newer truck technology. Every 1 MPG improvement translates to approximately $8,000 or more in annual profit savings.
• Empty miles rose to 16.7%, meaning owner operators drove nearly one in six miles without a load.

Owner-operator revenue per mile declined 3.7% year-over-year in 2025 (approximately 7 cents per mile), with much of this decrease attributed to lower fuel surcharges as diesel prices fell. True rates also declined simultaneously. However, due to increased miles, total revenue dropped only 2%. Spot rates in mid-2025 averaged $1.88/mile, roughly where they sat three and a half years earlier.

These numbers tell a stark story: operating costs remain near breakeven for many operators, with razor-thin margins pushing some out of the market.

Owner Operator Failure Rates and Business Survival

The trucking industry has one of the highest business failure rates of any sector. Studies consistently show that 85–90% of new owner operator businesses fail within the first few years.

The numbers behind those failures:

After approximately 88,000 trucking authorities were revoked in 2023, carrier exits continued through 2024-2025, though at a moderating pace. In the first half of 2024 alone, nearly 10,000 carriers closed their doors. By mid-2025, carrier shutdowns were estimated at 1,000–1,500 per week, with over 7,000 trucking businesses exiting in a single spring month of 2025. However, by late 2025, the rate of capacity exits had slowed significantly as the market moved toward equilibrium, with approximately 2,125 carriers leaving monthly through October 2025 (Motive).

The for-hire carrier population still has 33% more firms than pre-pandemic levels, despite years of attrition (FTR Transportation Intelligence). Half of all carrier exits in 2024 involved carriers older than three years — evidence that the downturn is catching more established operators, not just pandemic-era startups (Motive).

The bankruptcy wave continued into 2025-2026, with notable Chapter 11 filings from companies including Elite Carriers, STG Logistics, Standard Forward Freight, Daniel Trucking International, and Dolche Truckload.

In late 2025, 10 Roads Express — a 79-year-old USPS contractor with 2,462 power units — announced closure by January 2026. Freight companies filed 21 bankruptcy petitions in Q3 2025 alone, with experts predicting continued exits through early 2026 despite signs of market stabilization.

Why do most owner operators fail? Experienced operators on forums like TruckersReport consistently point to the same root causes:

1. Insufficient cash reserves. Payment terms in trucking are typically 30–60 days. One unexpected repair bill can wipe out an underfunded operation. Veterans recommend keeping $50,000–$100,000 in working capital before starting.
2. Not knowing their cost per mile. Taking loads without understanding your true profit margin is a fast path to lost revenue. Every mile driven carries dozens of cost components.
3. Repair and maintenance surprises. Multiple operators report spending $5,000–$10,000 in a single month on unexpected shop visits — plus the lost revenue from downtime.
4. Mismanaging taxes. Self-employment tax alone is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare). Failing to set aside 25–30% for quarterly estimated payments catches many new operators off guard.

Freight Market Conditions in 2025–2026

The freight market has been in a prolonged downturn since mid-2022. Here are the key market statistics:

• Average spot rate (mid-2025): $1.88/mile — roughly where it sat three and a half years ago (ATBS)
• Load-to-truck ratio (Sept 2025): ~88 loads per truck, up from lows but still well below the 240:1 ratio seen in early 2022
• Average miles per year: Owner operators now average 94,000 miles per year (ATBS 2025), up from 91,400 miles in 2023 and significantly higher than the pandemic low of 85,000 miles/year, though still well below the 140,000 miles/year averaged in 2003
• Operating profit margins: The average operating margin dropped below 2% across most sectors in 2024. Truckload carriers posted an average margin of -2.3% (ATRI)
• Private fleets and for-hire carriers responded by cutting fleet size 2.2%, reducing non-driver staff by 6.8%, and lowering the average number of drivers per truck to 0.93

Looking ahead to 2026, freight analysts project cautious optimism after three years of recession. FTR Transportation Intelligence forecasts truckload spot rates to increase 3.6% in 2026 (following 2% growth in 2025), with contract rates rising 2.6%. However, these gains barely keep pace with inflation, representing what analysts call a "marginless recovery" that will stop bleeding but not restore healthy profit margins.

C.H. Robinson raised its 2026 dry van rate forecast to 8% year-over-year growth due to tighter-than-expected capacity following carrier exits.

ACT Research expects supply-demand balance to improve gradually through 2026, with more durable freight and rate recovery likely in the second half of the year. However, total truck loadings are projected to remain essentially flat, with freight volumes expected to stabilize rather than surge.

For owner operators who've weathered the storm, the outlook is cautiously optimistic — but margins remain razor-thin. Every dollar saved on fuel, maintenance, and insurance directly impacts profitability and survival.

How Owner Operators Can Reduce Costs and Improve Profitability

Based on the data, there are several high-impact strategies for improving operational efficiency and profitability:

1. Use a fleet fuel card with real discounts. Fuel is the largest variable expense for any owner-operator. At 94,000 miles/year and 7.12 MPG, the average operator burns roughly 13,202 gallons annually. A fuel card with discounts of $0.45–$2.00 per gallon translates to $5,941–$26,404 in annual savings — money that goes straight to the bottom line. AtoB's fuel card offers average diesel discounts of $0.45–$2.00/gallon with acceptance at 99% of fuel stations, plus fraud protection up to $250,000.

2. Track your cost per mile religiously. Use the ATRI benchmark of $2.26/mile as your starting point and calculate your own number. Never accept a load that doesn't cover your costs plus profit. Load boards and rate negotiation tools can help you find higher-paying freight — but only if you know your floor.

3. Build a maintenance reserve. Set aside 10–15 cents per mile into a dedicated fund. At 94,000 miles/year, that's $9,400–$14,100 — enough to cover most unexpected repairs without disrupting cash flow. Predictive maintenance programs and regular preventive care reduce the chance of expensive breakdowns.

4. Optimize fuel efficiency. The difference between 6.5 MPG and 7.5 MPG at current diesel prices saves roughly $5,000–$8,000/year. Slower speeds, reduced idling, proper tire inflation, and route planning all contribute. Tools like AtoB's FuelMap optimizer can help find the cheapest fuel along your route, saving an additional ~$0.21/gallon.

5. Address the cash flow gap. Don't wait 30–60 days for payment if it puts your business at risk. Fuel cards with credit options, factoring services, and driver payroll tools can keep cash flowing while you wait for settlements. AtoB offers credit with no personal guarantees—a rare option for owner-operators with limited credit history.

6. Invest in compliance tools. Manual IFTA reporting eats hours every quarter and leaves room for costly errors. Electronic logging devices, automated tax reporting, and real-time visibility into spending help owner operators stay compliant without the administrative burden.

FAQs

What is the average income for an owner-operator?

Owner-operators typically gross $200,000–$350,000 in annual revenue. After subtracting fuel, maintenance, insurance, truck payments, and other expenses, the average net income among ATBS clients reached $64,524 in 2024-2025, up 2.5% from 2023. High-performing operators using effective cost management strategies average $87,614 annually, while the top third of long-term ATBS clients earn $156,000 annually. Income varies significantly based on freight type, miles driven, and the operator's expense management.

What percentage of owner operators fail?

Studies estimate that 85–90% of new owner-operator businesses fail within the first two years. The most common causes are insufficient cash reserves, failure to track true cost per mile, unexpected repair costs, and mismanaged taxes. After approximately 88,000 trucking authorities were revoked in 2023, carrier exits continued through 2024-2025, with thousands of additional operators leaving the market monthly.

What are the biggest expenses for owner operators?

The top five expenses in order are: driver compensation (self-pay) at $0.798/mile, fuel at $0.48/mile, truck and trailer payments at $0.39/mile (up 8.3% in 2024), repair and maintenance at $0.198/mile, and insurance at $0.102/mile. Total operating costs averaged $2.26 per mile in 2024, according to ATRI — the industry's most authoritative cost benchmark. Non-fuel costs reached a record high of $1.779 per mile.

Is the trucking industry recovering in 2026?

Yes, but slowly. While the industry endured a multi-year freight recession since 2022, analysts project a modest recovery in 2026. FTR forecasts spot rates to increase 3.6% and contract rates to rise 2.6%, though these gains barely keep pace with inflation — a "marginless recovery." C.H. Robinson raised its forecast to 8% growth for dry van rates due to tighter capacity. ACT Research expects gradual improvement in the second half of 2026, but total truck loadings are projected to remain essentially flat. The industry contracted from $940.8 billion in 2022 to $906 billion in 2024, reflecting ongoing challenges despite signs of stabilization.

Conclusion

The owner-operator statistics paint a clear picture: the trucking industry remains a land of opportunity — but it's also one of the toughest businesses to survive. With operating costs at record highs, revenues under pressure, and an 85–90% failure rate for new entrants, the margin for error has essentially disappeared.

The operators who succeed share common traits: they know their numbers cold, reduce costs wherever possible, maintain cash reserves, and treat every mile as a business decision—not just a drive.

For the 922,854 independent owner operators and the many more considering this career path, the data is both a warning and a roadmap. The trucking industry is the engine of the American economy. Owner-operators keep it running. And the ones who track their expenses, leverage tools like fleet fuel cards, and plan for the worst are the ones still on the road five years from now.

Ready to put more money back in your pocket? AtoB's fleet fuel card helps owner-operators save $0.45–$2.00/gallon on diesel at 99% of fuel stations, with $250K in fraud protection, automated IFTA reporting, and credit with no personal guarantee. Get started with AtoB today.

Citations:

• https://www.bts.gov/data-spotlight/counting-transportation-workforce-nearly-1-million-self-employed
• https://ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/registrationstatistics/CustomReports
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm
• https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-releases-latest-edition-american-trucking-trends-0
• https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/company-safety-records