Disclosure: This guide is published by LoadUp. Earnings figures referenced are sourced from LoadUp’s Loader-facing resources and reflect real platform data.
Chicago keeps people moving. Between the May and October lease turnovers that push thousands of renters out the door at once, student move-outs across Pilsen and Hyde Park, and estate cleanouts in neighborhoods across the North and South sides of the city, the demand for hauling work here runs deep. Right now, there aren’t enough local truck owners on the LoadUp platform to keep up with it.
If you’ve got a pickup truck and want to put it to work on your schedule, LoadUp is one of the easiest ways to make money with your truck in the Chicago area.
How LoadUp junk hauling jobs in Chicago work
LoadUp is a junk removal platform that pre-sells jobs to customers and routes them to independent contractors nearby. By the time a job hits your app, it’s already paid for.
That matters for how your day actually works. You’re not fielding calls, giving estimates, or chasing customers down for payment. You open the Loader app, see what’s available in your area, and pick the jobs that fit your schedule. Each listing shows the full picture: what’s being removed, the location, and the payout. A bungalow cleanout in Bridgeport, a mattress pickup in Lakeview, a garage haul in Oak Park. You decide what’s worth your time before you ever leave the driveway.
LoadUp has paid out more than $62 million to Loaders nationwide across 724,000 completed jobs, and Chicago is one of the markets where demand is consistently outpacing the number of active Loaders.
How much do junk haulers make in Chicago?
Most jobs on the LoadUp platform pay between $55 and $200 per order, depending on the size of the job. Smaller single-item pickups usually wrap up in under an hour. Larger jobs like full garage cleanouts, estate hauls, and multi-item removal pay at the higher end, and full property cleanouts can run several hundred dollars or more.
Loaders running five to seven jobs a week are earning $2,000 or more. Tight neighborhoods mean short drives between jobs. The housing stock is old, the renter base is large, and someone in Chicago is always moving, downsizing, or finally clearing out the basement.
Ready to start earning in Chicago? BECOME A LOADER ❯
What kind of hauling jobs will you be doing?
In Chicago, a big chunk of the work is apartment cleanouts and bungalow hauls: furniture, appliances, mattresses, and electronics left behind after a move or cleared out before a sale. You can also pick up furniture assembly jobs for customers settling into new places, hourly labor gigs for lifting and setup, and e-commerce delivery swaps through LoadUp’s retail partnerships, which tend to go to Loaders with larger vehicles.
Chicago’s back-to-back lease turnover dates, end-of-semester move-outs from DePaul, UIC, and Loyola, and estate cleanouts in older bungalow neighborhoods keep the jobs coming consistently throughout the year.
Who makes a good fit for junk removal jobs in Chicago?
Chicago has a large base of tradespeople, contractors, and gig workers who already own trucks and know how to work physically demanding jobs. A lot of them have slow days they’d rather fill with paying work than leave empty. That’s exactly who this is built for.
It’s a strong fit if you:
- Work a trade or run a contracting operation and want to keep money coming in between projects without picking up a second employer
- Do landscaping or outdoor work and need something to run during the shoulder season or slow weeks
- Drive for a delivery service and want higher per-job pay without the route pressure
- Do handyman or assembly work and can take on furniture assembly and labor gigs in addition to hauling
- Are between jobs and need income on your own timeline
- Have a truck and a helper ready to go and want a straightforward way to put both to use
How to apply for hauling jobs with LoadUp
If you’re already running a truck in Chicago for another gig or trade, you’ve probably got most of what you need:
- A pickup truck, cargo van, box truck, or trailer in good working condition
- A valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance
- A smartphone to run the LoadUp Driver App
- A clean background check
No CDL required. No prior junk removal experience needed.
Fill out the application online, pass your background check, and once you’re approved you can start claiming jobs in Chicago. Most people hear back within a few business days.
Every job requires two people, a primary Loader and a helper, so have someone in mind before you apply. Most Loaders bring a friend, family member, or a part-time hire.
See the full requirements before you apply. LoadUp serves Chicago and the surrounding area. Check hauling jobs in Illinois to find your market.
Apply now and start earning BECOME A LOADER ❯
Earnings vary based on geography, job type, volume, and individual efficiency. Platform statistics current as of July 2026.
