COMPREHENSIVE OPEN CONTRACT LIST - Week of January 9, 2026

This week's market intelligence report covers nationwide independent contractor opportunities for box truck operators and courier services. Key findings include continued strong demand in Texas (118+ box truck positions), expanding Hub Group Final Mile operations with updated regional pay rates, and stable medical courier compensation averaging $17.34/hour nationally with premium rates in major metro areas.

 National Market Overview

 Current Pay Rates

Box Truck Operations

•      OTR Standard: $5,500-$7,500/week

•      Regional/Local: $3,000-$5,000/week

•      Texas Power-Only Premium: $8,000-$12,000/week

•      Texas Average (All Positions): $106,649 annually ($2,050/week)

•      Houston Market Average: $101,989 annually ($1,961/week)

 Medical Courier Rates

•      National Average: $17.34/hour ($36,074 annually)

•      Pay Range: $15.14-$19.23/hour (25th-75th percentile)

•      Independent Contractor Average: $1,089/week ($56,645 annually)

•      Premium Urban Markets:

     • Los Angeles: $22/hour ($45,546 annually)

     • Chicago: $22/hour ($45,456 annually)

     • Denver: $17.85/hour ($37,130 annually)

     • Sacramento: $18.49/hour ($38,466 annually)

Hub Group Final Mile - Major Expansion

Hub Group Final Mile continues aggressive nationwide expansion following their $262 million acquisition of Forward Air Final Mile. They are actively hiring independent contractor teams with 26' box trucks and liftgates across all major markets.

 Regional Pay Rates (January 2026)

•      Iowa (Hiawatha): $3,900/week per truck

•      California (Visalia): $3,750/week per truck

•      Dallas, TX: $3,000-$3,500/week per truck

•      Birmingham, AL: $500-$750 per day

 Requirements

•      Own/rent/lease 26' box truck with liftgate

•      Provide own driver helper (2-person team required)

•      Active MC Operating Authority and DOT number OR willing to obtain

•      Valid driver's license (No CDL required)

•      Home daily appliance delivery and installation

 Application Process

Step 1: Complete initial interest form

Step 2: Complete Hub Group Final Mile online driver application (10-15 minutes)

Step 3: Connect with Hub Group Final Mile talent specialist

J.B. Hunt Final Mile Services

J.B. Hunt continues expanding their Final Mile Services carrier network nationwide, seeking independent contractors with active DOT & MC authority.

 Service Categories

•      Furniture and bedding delivery for major retailers

•      Appliance delivery and installation

•      Fitness equipment delivery

 Carrier Benefits

•      Discounts for truck rentals, fuel, and tools

•      Seven-day payment terms

•      Dedicated carrier communication teams

•      Nationwide footprint for greater load opportunities

•      60+ years of industry stability

 Contact Information

Phone: (479) 379-0254

Email: adan.nieto@jbhunt.com

Regional Market Analysis

Texas – Highest Volume Market

Texas maintains its position as the highest-volume market for box truck independent contractors with 118 total positions across the state.

Major Cities:

•      Houston: 57 owner operator positions

•      San Antonio: 26 owner operator positions

•      Dallas-Fort Worth: Active hiring across final mile operations

Top Companies Hiring:

•      Riverstone Logistics

•      NXTHome Delivery

•      SE Independent Delivery Services

•      Victoria Logistics Carrier LLC

•      P & J Carriers INC

Southeast Region

Atlanta, GA:

•      27 independent contractor box truck positions

•      SE Independent: $100-150K+ annual gross potential, relocation assistance

•      General Logistics Carrier: 12-16 ft box trucks, no ELD required

Georgia Courier Market:

•      40 independent contractor courier positions

•      Companies: Medzoomer, National Courier Express, Pace Runners Inc, Dropoff Inc

West Coast Markets

California:

•      Riverside, CA: 26 independent contractor delivery driver positions

•      Medical courier opportunities across Southern California

•      Hub Group Final Mile: Visalia at $3,750/week

Arizona:

•      83 independent contractor delivery driver positions

•      Markets: Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Yuma, Nogales

Northeast Corridor

New Jersey:

•      21 independent courier positions

•      Markets: Newark, Bellmawr, Cherry Hill, Edison, Camden

Pennsylvania:

•      Abington: 14 independent contractor courier positions

•      Springfield: 12 independent contractor courier positions

•      Jet Couriers: Specialized white cargo van/sprinter van services, $52K-$90K annual, Philadelphia/Delaware Valley

Midwest

Minneapolis, MN:

•      63 independent contractor delivery driver positions

•      Better Trucks Inc: Growing last-mile delivery company, flexible gig opportunities

•      Companies: Priority Courier Experts, The Delivery Authority, Lab Logistics LLC

Vehicle Requirements by Category

Personal Vehicles (Cars/SUVs)

•      Year: 2015+ preferred

•      Insurance: Personal auto liability (state minimums)

•      Earnings: $600-$1,200/week

•      Best for: Courier services, small package delivery

Cargo Vans/Sprinter Vans

•      Year: 2015+ required (2013+ for some positions)

•      Insurance: Commercial auto liability $1M minimum, cargo $100K

•      Earnings: $961-$1,826/week

•      Best for: Medical courier (white vans preferred), time-critical deliveries

12-16 ft Box Trucks

•      Year: 2010+ (2014+ for some positions)

•      No ELD required (under 10,000 lbs GVWR)

•      Insurance: Commercial auto liability $1M, cargo $100K

•      Earnings: $3,000-$5,000/week regional

•      Best for: Local/regional delivery, no logbook requirements

24-26 ft Box Trucks (Most Common)

•      Year: 2010+ minimum, 2015+ preferred

•      Liftgate: REQUIRED for appliance delivery contracts

•      GVWR: Under 26,000 lbs (No CDL required)

•      Insurance: Commercial auto liability $1M minimum, cargo $100K-$250K

•      DOT/MC: Required for some contracts, many allow running under company authority

•      Earnings: $3,000-$12,000/week (OTR vs regional vs local)

•      Best for: Final mile delivery, appliance delivery/installation

Major Companies Actively Hiring

National Final Mile Operations

Hub Group Final Mile

•      Service: Appliance delivery and installation

•      Pay: $3,000-$3,900/week (regional variance)

•      Requirements: 26' box truck with liftgate, 2-person team, MC/DOT

J.B. Hunt Final Mile Services

•      Service: Furniture, appliances, fitness equipment

•      Requirements: Active DOT & MC authority

•      Contact: (479) 379-0254, adan.nieto@jbhunt.com

Ryder Last Mile

•      Service: Furniture, appliances, fitness equipment delivery

•      Nationwide carrier network expansion

Maersk Final Mile Delivery

•      Service: Appliance delivery operations

•      Requirements: 26' box truck, white glove service

Dispatch & Freight Companies

ACIES TRANSPORT

•      Service: Dispatch company for sprinter vans, box trucks, conestoga

•      Requirements: 2011+ vehicles, independent contractor agreement

•      Pay: Weekly payment, no hidden fees

Victoria Logistics Carrier LLC

•      Service: Box truck operations, nationwide

•      Strong presence in Texas markets

P & J Carriers INC

•      Service: Non-CDL box truck operations

•      Pay: $5,500-$7,500+/week gross (90% to driver, 10% service fee)

•      Requirements: 24' or 26' box truck (2012+)

General Logistics Carrier LLC

•      Service: 12-16 ft box trucks, no ELD required

•      Requirements: 2010+ vehicles

SE Independent Delivery Services

•      Service: Local region/delivery market furniture delivery

•      Pay: $100-150K+ annual gross potential

•      Benefits: Relocation assistance, training provided

•      Requirements: Must own or obtain 24-26' box truck

Medical Courier Companies

Medzoomer

•      Service: Pharmacy delivery

•      Requirements: 5+ years of experience, dependable vehicle

American Expediting Co. Inc.

•      Service: Medical courier (multiple vehicle options)

•      Requirements: 21+, valid license, independent contractor

US Pack Script LLC / US Pack Med LLC / US Pack Parts LLC

•      Service: Medical/pharmacy delivery nationwide

•      Requirements: Background check, drug screen, motor vehicle check

Dropoff Inc.

•      Service: Medical and time-critical delivery

•      Requirements: 21+, reliable vehicle, clean driving record

Independent Contractor Economics

Understanding the financial reality of 1099 independent contractor status is critical before entering these opportunities.

Sample Monthly Budget: 26' Box Truck OTR

Assumptions: 2,500 miles/week, $6,500 gross/week

Annual Projection:

•      Annual net before taxes: $178,824

•      After estimated 30% taxes: ~$125,000/year take-home

Critical Tax Responsibilities

•      Self-Employment Tax: 15.3% (Social Security and Medicare)

•      Federal Income Tax: 10-37% (based on income bracket)

•      State Income Tax: Varies by state (0-13.3%)

•      Quarterly Estimated Tax Payments: Required by IRS

•      No employer withholding – you are responsible for all tax payments

•      Penalties for underpayment or late payment

Application Strategy

Job Board Prioritization

•      Glassdoor: Highest position counts, best for market research

•      Indeed: Broad coverage, Hub Group and J.B. Hunt postings

•      ZipRecruiter: Detailed salary data, pay rate research

•      Jooble: Regional aggregator, good for specific markets

•      Company Direct: Best for major carriers (Hub Group, J.B. Hunt)

Effective Search Terms

•      "independent contractor box truck"

•      "owner operator box truck"

•      "non CDL box truck"

•      "medical courier independent contractor"

•      "1099 delivery driver"

•      "final mile delivery"

Best Practices

•      Apply to 10-15 positions per day during active job search

•      Monday mornings have best visibility for new applications

•      Follow up within 48 hours if no response

•      Have all documentation ready: license, insurance, vehicle registration

•      Research company reviews on Glassdoor before committing

 Important Disclaimers & Considerations

1099 Independent Contractor Status

•      No employee benefits: No health insurance, no paid time off, no retirement contributions

•      Full tax responsibility: 15.3% self-employment tax PLUS income tax

•      All business expenses: Fuel, maintenance, insurance, vehicle payments

•      No unemployment insurance: Cannot collect unemployment if contract ends

•      No workers' compensation: On-the-job injuries are your responsibility

Revenue vs. Income Reality

•      Gross revenue is NOT take-home pay

•      Expect 30-40% of gross for operating expenses (box trucks)

•      Expect 20-30% of gross for operating expenses (courier vehicles)

•      Budget 25-30% of NET income for taxes

•      Actual take-home is typically 40-50% of gross revenue

Business Risks

•      Vehicle breakdowns can eliminate income for days or weeks

•      Accidents require you to cover deductibles and lost work time

•      Market fluctuations affect available loads and rates

•      Fuel price volatility directly impacts profitability

•      Vehicle depreciation reduces asset value over time

•      Contracts can be terminated with minimal notice

Resources & Tools

Primary Job Boards

•      Indeed: www.indeed.com

•      Glassdoor: www.glassdoor.com

•      ZipRecruiter: www.ziprecruiter.com

•      Jooble: www.jooble.org

Compliance & Documentation

•      FMCSA Portal: safer.fmcsa.dot.gov

•      Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov

•      SAM.gov Registration: sam.gov (for government contracting)

Business Management Tools

•      QuickBooks Self-Employed: Expense tracking and tax estimation

•      Stride: Mileage and expense tracking

•      Hurdlr: Automated mileage tracking and tax calculation

Best Opportunities This Week

If You Own a 26' Box Truck with Liftgate

•      Hub Group Final Mile: $3,000-$3,900/week depending on market

•      J.B. Hunt Final Mile: Expanding carrier network, established accounts

•      Maersk Final Mile: Appliance delivery, white glove service

If You're in Texas

•      Power-Only Contracts: $8,000-$12,000/week (premium tier)

•      P & J Carriers INC: $5,500-$7,500+/week gross

•      Victoria Logistics: Active hiring, competitive rates

•      Check all 118 Glassdoor listings for local opportunities

If You're Interested in Medical Courier

•      Los Angeles/Chicago Markets: $22/hour ($45K+ annually)

•      American Expediting: Multiple vehicle options, multi-state

•      Medzoomer: Pharmacy delivery, 5+ years experience preferred

•      Independent Contractors: Average $1,089/week ($56,645 annually)

If You're Starting Out

•      SE Independent: Training provided, relocation assistance, $100-150K+ potential

•      Regional Courier Services: Lower barrier to entry, personal vehicle

•      General Logistics Carrier: 12-16 ft trucks, no ELD requirements