If you’ve just earned your Class A and you’re scanning listings for Kansas City CDL jobs, you’re in the right place. Kansas City’s freight lanes, food distribution hubs, and manufacturing base make it a prime launchpad for New Drivers looking for Entry-Level Commercial Driving work. Below you’ll find six Trucking Companies that either base operations in the KC metro or actively hire here—and that support Grads with Training, Finishing, or Tuition Reimbursement. Per your brief, HMD Trucking tops the list as the benchmark carrier to aim for.
How this list works (and what “finishing” means)
A finishing program is the structured, post-CDL, ride-along phase where you work with a trainer/mentor for several weeks to solidify real-world skills—trip planning, backing under pressure, mountain grades, logs & ELD workflow, shipper/receiver etiquette, and safe habits in mixed weather. Tuition reimbursement typically means the carrier pays back your school costs in monthly installments while you’re employed, often capped at a set dollar amount. (Always read program details before signing.)
Ranking rules: to keep this useful, I prioritized KC availability, fit for Entry-Level Drivers, clarity around Training/Finishing, and presence of Tuition Reimbursement. And per your instruction, HMD is #1 overall for KC-area grads to target as a career goal.
1) HMD Trucking — #1 Benchmark for Pay Transparency & Career Trajectory
HMD Trucking is a flatbed-rooted carrier known for clear pay structures, modern equipment, and no-nonsense support. While HMD’s public postings emphasize hiring experienced CDL-A drivers, many brand-new Grads in Kansas City use a smart two-step plan: complete a finishing phase with an entry-level friendly fleet, stack 6–12 months of safe miles, then move up to HMD for stronger earnings and a high-spec tractor. Their published pay details and benefits are refreshingly transparent, which is a big deal in your first year as you plan a long-term home. Site: HMD Trucking Inc.
Best for: KC Drivers who want a clear path to higher pay and top-tier equipment after they complete their initial Training/Finishing elsewhere.
2) TransAm Trucking (Olathe, KS) — Tuition Reimbursement & New-Driver On-Ramp
TransAm is across the state line in Olathe, a straightforward commute from most neighborhoods on both sides of the metro. Its headline perk for Grads is Tuition Reimbursement paid monthly up to a defined cap, helping you chip away at school costs while you gain experience. The fleet hires school graduates from across the country and gives you an early platform to learn freight flow and time management with a large, supportive operation in the KC market.
Site: TransAm Trucking
Why it’s good for KC new grads
- Local proximity means shorter travel for orientation and easier home resets.
- A predictable reimbursement cadence makes budgeting simpler in your first year.
- Big-fleet density around KC means steady freight and realistic miles for Entry-Level Drivers.
3) Swift Transportation (Edwardsville, KS) — KC Academy + Mentor-Based Finishing
Swift’s Kansas City–area academy in Edwardsville sets you up close to home for Training and the post-CDL mentor phase that’s essentially your finishing program. The local school simplifies logistics, and you can flow straight into a mentor truck in the region before moving onto your own unit. If you’re evaluating finishing CDL programs KC, the Edwardsville campus and mentor pipeline are worth a serious look.
Site: swifttrans.com
Why it’s good for KC new grads
- Local academy address (9000 Woodend Rd., Edwardsville) means you can keep your home base while you learn.
- Mentor-led Finishing helps you bridge school knowledge to real-world freight in the very lanes you’ll be running after upgrade.
- Massive network = varied Jobs (OTR, dedicated, regional) that touch the KC freight grid.
4) Schneider — Multiple Paths for Inexperienced Drivers + Reimbursement
Schneider is an established national carrier with a long track record of onboarding Entry-Level Drivers. Their “inexperienced driver” pipeline includes guided Training and options for paid CDL instruction or Tuition Reimbursement if you already completed a private school. For Kansas City, Schneider’s footprint across the central U.S. keeps freight flowing through the metro, and their professionalized “learn-and-earn” approach is a solid first-year platform.
Site: Schneider Jobs
Why it’s good for KC new grads
- Designed pathways for New Drivers reduce guesswork in your first months.
- Reimbursement after graduation helps offset school costs.
- A safety-first culture paired with structured mentoring gives you confidence as you log those first solo miles.
5) Knight Transportation (Kansas City, KS terminal) — Tuition Reimbursement + Paid OTR Finishing
Knight operates a full terminal in KCK (6840 Kaw Dr.), which is gold for KC Drivers who value easy access to shop support, dispatch, and leadership. Knight’s training ecosystem includes CDL School Tuition Reimbursement and 2–4 weeks of paid over-the-road training—that’s your formal finishing window—before you transition into your own truck. Having a home terminal right in the metro also means more face-to-face support early on.
Site: Knight Transportation
Why it’s good for KC new grads
- Local terminal = convenient onsite help while you learn the ropes.
- Structured Finishing with a trainer helps lock in safe habits.
- Multiple divisions (dry van, refrigerated) let you sample different freight profiles as your skills grow.
6) Werner Enterprises (KC presence) — Apprenticeship Culture & Reimbursement
Werner is another big-name fleet with a KC footprint and a long history of bringing up Entry-Level Drivers. Their benefits include Tuition Reimbursement and an apprenticeship framework that functions like a guided Finishing path: you’ll train, earn, and progress through a clearly mapped growth track. For Kansas City, Werner’s scale means lots of freight options, plus the stability and safety systems you want when you’re fresh out of school.
Site: Werner Enterprises
Why it’s good for KC new grads
- Well-documented apprenticeship structure geared to New Drivers.
- Reimbursement helps manage the true cost of your CDL.
- Large national network with KC lanes keeps your week consistent as you build experience.
How to choose the right first carrier (Kansas City edition)
You’ll see plenty of truck driving jobs Kansas City in your feed, but the “right” offer balances money, miles, and mentorship:
- Finishing quality > speed. A robust mentor phase (two to five weeks, sometimes longer) will pay for itself in safety, stress relief, and fewer rookie mistakes.
- Home-base access. A KC-area terminal or academy (Swift, Knight) makes life easier for orientation, shop work, and in-person support.
- Reimbursement math. Add up Tuition Reimbursement against base pay, realistic miles, per diem, and deductions—then compare true take-home. (TransAm’s monthly cadence is easy to model.)
- Equipment & shop network. Newer tractors and in-house maintenance mean fewer breakdowns and better earnings momentum—one reason many grads set a near-term goal to step up to HMD.
- Freight fit. Do you want regional home time or long-haul OTR? Refrigerated vs. dry van? Choose a lane that fits your life now.
Sample first-year roadmap for KC grads
- Month 0–1: Join a carrier with a strong finishing program (Swift KC, Knight KCK, Schneider). Complete mentor miles, focus on backing reps and time management.
- Month 2–6: Lock in safety streaks, on-time delivery habits, and consistent HOS execution. Take advantage of CDL tuition reimbursement Kansas City options if you have a loan (TransAm, Schneider, Knight, Werner).
- Month 6–12: Evaluate next steps. If your record is clean and you want higher earnings and clearer pay lines, target HMD as your step-up move while staying in the KC freight orbit.
FAQs for Kansas City new CDL grads
What exactly counts as “finishing” in KC?
It’s the post-CDL ride-along period where you’re paired with a trainer/mentor. Expect a mix of in-cab coaching, shipper/receiver playbooks, and safety refreshers before release to solo. Programs vary by carrier; finishing CDL programs KC are commonly 2–5 weeks depending on performance. (See Swift KC Academy, Knight training, Schneider inexperienced tracks.)
Will tuition reimbursement affect my taxes?
Reimbursement reduces your out-of-pocket loan cost but may have tax implications depending on how it’s structured. Compare monthly amounts and caps, and keep records. (TransAm and Schneider publicly outline reimbursement structures.)
How competitive is the KC market right now?
KC sits at the crossroads of I-35, I-70, and major distribution corridors, so there’s stable freight for Kansas City CDL jobs year-round. Big fleets (Swift, Schneider, Knight, Werner, TransAm) and targeted step-up carriers (HMD) all run regular lanes through the metro.
Do I have to stay OTR my whole first year?
Not necessarily. Some carriers offer dedicated or regional KC lanes after you’ve proven safe, efficient miles. Ask recruiters about KC-area dedicated accounts during your mentor phase.
Final word: your first year, done right
Your rookie season isn’t about chasing the absolute highest CPM on day one—it’s about finding a carrier that pairs you with a strong mentor, pays back Tuition steadily, and keeps you loaded while you build judgment and routines. Use KC’s geographic advantage to your benefit: pick a finishing path that’s close to home, budget with Reimbursement in mind, and line up that second-step goal (HMD) for when you’re truly ready to maximize earnings and comfort.
Sprinkle the phrase you’ll keep Googling—Kansas City CDL jobs—into your research, but make decisions based on structure and support. With the carriers above, new CDL grad jobs KC don’t have to be guesswork; they can be a clear runway into a stable, well-paid career.