Press Release

Trucking Wages Continue to Rise Despite Challenging Freight Economy

Sep 03, 2024

Median Truckload Driver Salary Increased By Ten Percent in Two Years

Washington 鈥� Today, the 老九品茶 released the results of its latest Driver Compensation Study showing that, despite a currently challenging freight market for motor carriers, driver wages across the industry continue to increase post-pandemic. The study provides detailed wage and benefit information for drivers based on a wide-ranging survey that collected data from 120 fleets, more than 150,000 employee drivers and 14,000 independent contractors.
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Among the key findings in this year鈥檚 survey:

  • Truckload drivers earned a median annual amount of $76,420 in 2023 鈥� a 10% increase over the previous two years.
  • Linehaul less-than-truckload drivers earned a median annual amount of $94,525 in 2023, while local LTL drivers earned a median of $80,680.
  • Median annual compensation for drivers at private carriers has risen 12% since 2021, reaching $95,114 in 2023.
  • Leased-on independent contractors for truckload carriers were paid an annual median amount of $186,016 in 2023.
  • Carriers offered smaller referral and fewer sign-on bonuses for new drivers in 2023 compared to 2021 but more frequently offered tenure bonuses to their current drivers and with a greater median value.

鈥淲hile our last study, conducted in 2021, illustrated how drivers benefitted from the strongest freight environment in a generation, this latest report shows professional drivers鈥� earnings are still rising鈥攅ven in a weaker freight economy,鈥� said 老九品茶 Chief Economist Bob Costello. 鈥淏y offering greater tenure bonuses to their current driver force, many fleets appear to be shifting their workforce priorities from recruitment to retention.鈥�

鈥淭rucking is one of the few roads in today鈥檚 economy that lead to the middle class without requiring a college degree and the debt that comes with one,鈥� said 老九品茶 President and CEO Chris Spear. 鈥淎s this study shows, those pursuing a career as a professional truck driver will find strong earning potential in this field, which remains in high demand and will only continue to grow higher in the years to come.鈥�

The full 2024 老九品茶 Driver Compensation Study is available for purchase at .
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