8 Proven Ways to Make Money with a Dump Truck ($680/Day!)

Think a dump truck is just for hauling rocks?

Think again!

With the right gigs lined up (including hauling rocks!), you can actually make money with a dump truck.

Depending on the gig and the size of your truck, you could make enough money to cover your monthly truck payment, put a bit more toward your emergency fund, or even replace a 9‑to‑5 job.

In fact, according to wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some specialized owner‑operators make about $80+ an hour on local hauls.

Now, obviously we’re not talking about those giant tri‑axle dump trucks. Frankly, if you have one of those, you’re probably already in the business. We’re mainly talking about small single‑axle dump trucks or dump trailers.

If you have one of those and are wondering how to make money, read on to learn a few simple ways you could turn your dump truck into a money‑making machine.

Owning a Dump Truck

To start, you’ll need a dump truck.

If you already own one, great!

Otherwise, you’ll need to get one, perhaps a used dump truck to save on your initial cash outlay.

If you’re not picky, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge to find a used dump truck for under $10,000.

Of course, its make, model, and mileage will factor into the price tag. But a budget of around $20,000 should present you with plenty of decent options.

License

Before you work on your budget, do yourself a favor and acquire a commercial driver’s license (CDL), as this is a prerequisite in order to operate a dump truck.

Individual districts and local governments may require specific licensing or additional training before you can legally launch your dump truck business.

Tax Stuff

As with starting any other small business, to start a dump truck business, you’ll need to get a tax ID or EIN if you want to run your business as anything but a sole proprietor (which I suggest you do, both for legal and tax-saving reasons).

To learn more, check out the IRS’ official guide on Tax and small businesses.

How Much Money Can You Make with a Small Dump Truck Income

Obviously, the exact number depends on the size of your truck, what kind of gigs you do, how often you do them, and even where you live.

But to give you an idea, I pulled some data from the 2024 OOIDA Owner‑Operator Revenue Survey for single‑axle dump trucks and pickup‑pulled dump trailers.

Here’s what you can expect to make using a smaller rig:

Hourly Haul Rate	Avg. Loads per Day	Hours Worked	Daily Rate	Monthly Rate
$65	3	8 hrs	$520	$11,440
$75	3	8 hrs	$600	$13,200
$85	3	8 hrs	$680	$14,960

As you can see, with even a modest single‑axle dump truck, you can make $65 to $85 an hour. $11k to $15k per month is a lot of money.

That’s obviously before expenses. You have to consider the cost of fuel, insurance, and maintenance, but either way, you’re making decent money.

How to Make Money With a Dump Truck

Here are the best ways you can earn money with your small dump truck.

1. Construction Hauls

Local builders need endless dirt, gravel, and sand moved from quarries to job sites.

Local builders and contractors often use dump trucks to haul away material to the job site, haul away dirt and debris from demolition sites, and so on.

I know it’s hard to get that initial job. I think the best way is to simply go to bigger construction job sites in your local area and talk to the people in charge. To get the ball rolling, give them a special deal.

The great thing about working with local general contractors and construction companies is that they always have stuff to haul, so they can keep you busy for a long time.

2. Demolition & Junk Removal

Partner with demo crews or renovation contractors. You drop the bed, they fill it with concrete chunks, drywall, or old roofing. Charge per ton plus a dump‑fee markup.

3. Municipal Contracts

This is where the real money is. Cities pay for snow removal, leaf pickups, and road‑salt delivery. Register on your state’s DOT vendor list and bid on seasonal contracts. Winter salt runs often pay $90+ an hour, and the work shows up every storm, like clockwork.

4. Landscaping Supply Delivery

Homeowners and landscapers need mulch, topsoil, and decorative rock every spring. Team up with a local garden center and offer “truck + driver” delivery for $60 to $80 per trip.

Heck, you can even post free ads on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace offering your services directly to homeowners.

5. Rolloff Dumpster Service

Attach a roll‑off hoist to swap 10‑yard bins at construction sites. Customers pay a flat rental plus per‑dump fee. Two swaps a day at $150 each = $300 gross, and you never leave town.

6. Storm Debris Cleanup

After big storms, FEMA and utility contractors scramble for trucks. Rates jump to $100 an hour for hauling limbs and shingles to the landfill.

Keep your paperwork ready so you can be first on the call list.

7. Agricultural Transport

Farmers need grain, feed, and manure moved between fields. During harvest, single‑axle rigs haul wheat to local elevators at $3.50 a mile. A 40‑mile round trip nets about $140, and you can squeeze in four runs on a long harvest day.

8. Hot‑Shot Weekend Rentals

List your truck on “driver + dump truck” rental apps or local Facebook groups. Homeowners replacing a driveway love a Saturday rental with someone who’ll haul the busted concrete away. Charge $70 an hour, 4‑hour minimum. That’s $280 for one easy weekend gig.

FAQs

How much money can I make with a dump truck?

You can make anywhere from $4k to $7k per month with steady work. That said, it all depends on many factors. But even with smaller trucks and a few gigs a month, you could easily make $500 to $1,000.

What business can I start with a dump truck?

Hauling for construction, demolition/junk, landscaping supply, roll‑off dumpsters, snow/debris contracts.

How do I get loads for a dump truck?

Network with contractors, join load boards/apps, bid on city jobs, list on Facebook/Craigslist.

Is it worth it to buy a dump truck?

It really depends on what you want out of it. If you want to make money with it, yes, it absolutely is worth it!

Do I need a CDL?

Usually, yes. Any dump truck over 26,001 lbs requires a Class B CDL. But smaller dump trailers usually don’t.

Final Thoughts

Making money with a dump truck isn’t complicated. Stuff is loaded into your truck, and all you have to do when you arrive at the final destination is push a few buttons to unload it.

The most complicated and hardest part is getting the actual gigs. But with a bit of creativity and good old elbow grease, you can find enough gigs to keep you going.

The best thing about operating a dump truck business is that there is always a need for dump trucks to move materials that are too big and heavy for your usual pickup trucks, so if you have one, you can always make money with your dump truck!