A recent study by the American Trucking Associations of more than 100,000 employees and contractors showed the median salary of a U.S. truckload driver increased about 15 percent to $53,000 from 2013 to 2017. (AFP Photo / Filippo Monteforte)
Wages are on the move for America’s truckers as the freight transportation industry contends with driver shortages and increased demand for shipping services.
A recent study by the American Trucking Associations of more than 100,000 employees and contractors showed the median salary of a U.S. truckload driver increased about 15 percent to $53,000 from 2013 to 2017.
Pay for a private fleet trucker jumped almost 18 percent to more than $86,000. By comparison, average hourly earnings for all private workers in the U.S. rose about 10 percent during the same period, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The industry’s tight labor market is prompting carriers to offer more competitive benefit packages. Ninety percent of truckload fleets give drivers paid leave, while four of every five private carriers offer a 401(k) plan and matching contributions, according to the study.
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"Fleets are reacting to concerns about the driver shortage by raising pay and working to make the job more attractive,” said Bob Costello, chief economist at ATA.
"I expect that trend to continue as demand for trucking services increases as our economy grows."
