<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-13-005640.txt : 20130212
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-13-005640.hdr.sgml : 20130212
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130212171709
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-13-005640
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20121231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130212
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130212

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			WERNER ENTERPRISES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000793074
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	TRUCKING (NO LOCAL) [4213]
		IRS NUMBER:				470648386
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		14507 FRONTIER ROAD
		CITY:			OMAHA
		STATE:			NE
		ZIP:			68138
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4028956640

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 45308
		CITY:			OMAHA
		STATE:			NE
		ZIP:			68145

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SCHELBLE JIM S
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001270473

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-14690
		FILM NUMBER:		13598257

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O WERNER ENTERPRISES INC
		STREET 2:		PO BO X45308
		CITY:			OMAHA
		STATE:			NE
		ZIP:			68415-0308
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form5.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

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    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000793074</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>WERNER ENTERPRISES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>WERN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001270473</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SCHELBLE JIM S</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 45308</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OMAHA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NE</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>68145</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Exec VP - Sales &amp; Marketing</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
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                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
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                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
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                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionDate>
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                <transactionFormType>5</transactionFormType>
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                </transactionShares>
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                </transactionPricePerShare>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Jim S. Schelble</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-02-12</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
