Last Updated: April 9, 2026
Old Dominion Freight Line Application Guide (2025): How to Apply for a Job Online
Old Dominion Freight Line at a Glance
- Founded: 1934, Richmond, Virginia
- Headquarters: Thomasville, North Carolina
- Service Centers: 260+ across all 48 contiguous states
- Total employees: 23,000+
- Model: LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) — consolidates multiple shippers’ freight into shared trailers (vs. TL carriers like Werner which haul single-shipper full loads)
- Ranking: #1 LTL carrier in the U.S. by revenue and reliability scores
- Glassdoor rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars — among the highest in trucking
- Stock symbol: ODFL (NASDAQ) — publicly traded company
How to Apply at Old Dominion
Step 1: Visit odfl.com/careers
Old Dominion’s careers portal lists openings at specific service centers. Search for your nearest service center and available positions. Dock Worker positions are the highest-volume opening and are available at most service centers year-round. CDL-A driver openings are listed by service center as well — city drivers (local delivery and pickup) and linehaul drivers (overnight intercity runs) have different requirements.
Step 2: Submit Application and Work History
Dock Worker applications require your work history and availability for split-shift dock work (typically 3am–9am or 2pm–8pm). CDL-A applications require license details, MVR, and DOT physical certificate. Old Dominion uses an in-house application system — no third-party job board applications are processed.
Step 3: Service Center Interview and Assessment
Dock Worker interviews are conducted at the service center by the Operations Supervisor. You’ll be evaluated on physical capability for loading/unloading freight, availability for split shifts, and reliability. CDL-A driver interviews include a road test at the service center. Old Dominion maintains strict vehicle operations standards — their low accident frequency is a major selling point to shippers.
Old Dominion Pay Rates (2025)
| Position | Starting Pay | Experienced Pay | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dock Worker / Freight Handler | $22–$24/hr | $24–$28/hr | Full-time |
| P&D (City) Driver — CDL-A | $28–$32/hr | $32–$38/hr | Full-time hourly |
| Linehaul Driver — CDL-A (OTR) | $0.58–$0.65/mile | $0.65–$0.75/mile | Per mile full-time |
| Operations Supervisor | $55,000–$70,000/yr | $70,000–$85,000/yr | Salaried |
| Service Center Manager | $75,000–$95,000/yr | $95,000–$120,000/yr | Salaried |
Dock Worker pay note: Old Dominion’s starting dock pay of $22–$24/hr is among the highest in LTL freight, compared to industry averages of $18–$22/hr at competing carriers. Full-time dock workers average $55,000–$65,000/year including overtime, which is standard at early morning split shifts.
Requirements
- Dock Worker: 18+ years old; ability to lift 75+ lbs regularly; available for split-shift hours (3am–9am or 2pm–8pm). No trucking experience required.
- CDL-A Driver (P&D): Class A CDL, 21+, DOT medical certificate, clean MVR, 1 year CDL-A experience preferred.
- CDL-A Driver (Linehaul): Class A CDL, 21+, DOT medical certificate, clean MVR, 1 year OTR/linehaul experience required.
- Background and drug screening: Required for all positions.
Benefits
- Health insurance: Medical, dental, vision — Old Dominion covers a significant portion of the premium, making their benefits package notably valuable.
- 401(k) with match: One of the higher employer match rates in trucking.
- Paid time off: Above-average vacation accrual for the trucking industry.
- Promotion pipeline: OD promotes dock workers to driver school (CDL training sponsored), and P&D drivers to linehaul — a well-documented internal mobility path.
- Profit sharing: OD has a history of distributing profit-sharing bonuses to employees, which can add $2,000–$5,000+/year for long-tenured employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is LTL freight and how is it different from truckload (TL)?
LTL (Less-than-Truckload) carriers like Old Dominion consolidate freight from multiple shippers into shared trailers. A shipper sending a partial load (say, 5 pallets) pays only for the space they use in a shared trailer. TL (Truckload) carriers like Werner or J.B. Hunt haul entire trailers for a single shipper. LTL is more operationally complex (requires service center networks, freight handling, break-bulk operations) than TL, which is why LTL carriers like Old Dominion, FedEx Freight, and XPO are larger, more capital-intensive businesses. For employees, LTL dock work is physically demanding freight-handling work; LTL drivers typically drive shorter regional runs than OTR TL drivers.
Is Old Dominion a good company to work for?
Old Dominion consistently ranks among the top employers in trucking across major survey platforms. Its 3.9/5 Glassdoor rating (vs. industry average of ~3.2) reflects above-average pay, management quality, and advancement opportunities. The company’s financial stability (publicly traded, debt-free, consistently profitable) means employment security is strong compared to smaller or over-leveraged carriers. Common criticisms include the demanding physical pace of dock work and the split-shift hours. Overall, OD is one of the most recommended LTL employers for both drivers and dock workers in trucking industry communities.
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