Truck Drivers Found To Be Getting Biggest Wage Increase In US Job Market
by Jana Ritter - Published: 11/05/2016According to the US job site Glassdoor.com, truck driver wages increased the most over the last year out of 60 common professions compared. In fact, since last October trucking wages were found to have grown by a whopping 7.8%, which is far more than the overall 2.8% wage growth for all jobs. "We have a booming economy, we're seven years into the expansion and truck drivers are the front line," explains Andrew Chamberlain, chief economist at Glassdoor.
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While the overall pay for truck drivers certainly varies by the type of job, distance and employer, the estimated median pay for long haul drivers is at $54,000 per year and according to the American Trucking Association those working for a private fleet can earn up to $73,000 a year. If you compare that to the average salaries for other trade professions such as machine operators at $36,800, construction workers at $36,600 and maintenance workers at $41,179, it appears that long hauling is still the way to go for those who don’t mind the lifestyle.
Of course, the lifestyle factor is actually one of the biggest reasons trucking companies are having more difficulty in recruiting and retaining truck drivers, especially now that work-life balance is becoming a lot more important to Americans. Therefore, it’s no surprise that employers are continuing to offer higher and higher wages as more accumulating factors keep driving up the competition for recruiting new talent. According to the ATA, even in the last few years the overall truck driver shortage has grown from 30,000 drivers in 2013 to a shortage of nearly 50,000 drivers today. Industry experts also say it’s becoming more difficult to bring in younger drivers because of the work schedule demands. Chamberlain also says that with the overall US unemployment currently at a low 5%, trucking companies are even more hard pressed to find new and qualified drivers. "That's going to force companies to hike up wages to get the employees they need," he says.
And despite the recent headlines about autonomous trucks ultimately replacing truck drivers in the future, economists such as Chamberlain say that isn’t going to happen any time soon. Many argue that since the job actually involves more than just driving a truck, it isn’t something that a robot will be able to easily replace. Not to mention that with the economy growing over the last seven years, there continues to be a ton of goods that need to be transported, which is another reason that truck driver wages are going up.
Ok 'm calling BS...being that if you combine everything we do with the time we do it in, times what we make....Ladies and Gentleman that are bitching about working for minimum wage, we wish we were making minimum wage. Next time y'all scream for $15 an hour. try working about 4 hours of your shift at work for free. Think about that, and plus you miss your kids growing up, your anniversary, birthdays, family events...So next time y'all think about posting this type of thing, might want to actually find out what trucking entitles.
Entails* Spot on!! Average driver isn't making big money, coupled with average workload of 3500 hours a year vs 2000 (70 hours a week x 50 weeks vs 40 hours a week 50 weeks) for 20-25% more than a office job.... Yeah. "Big raises" - show me the money!
Honestly the issue isn't the job, its the companies that are flooding this industry with individuals that are promised (lied to) in making a living. Probably 10 years ago that's true, now you need a second income. Most drivers now are steering wheel holders, don't know any better. I am old school, so yea lil biased. But I see my area goin away and the new irresponsible area taking over. Meaning there is no respect...for road and other drivers.
I would like your comment but that doesn't really say how much I like what you just said so I'm just gonna give you a big fuck yeah
I just spoke the truth is all..and I drive otr so I know what I'm talking about...and thank you
It's an increase compared to what we got before. We will never be paid for everything we do so bringing it up is nothing less than a waste of time and energy.
Besides I don't know anyone making minimum wage who is taking home a grand a week, and the reason is because your math is way off.
Even if you burn through all 70 hours over the course of a week (which no one who knows how to log does) and gross 1200, you're still getting over 17 an hour.
We are still categorized under unskilled labor, therefore coming into this business expecting make a fortune is a pipe dream and always will be.
Ok I'll explain it to you since either your not a driver or something. If you have a local job, manufacturing, production, service you get paid for your time...clock in clock out. The company pays for everything you do. In the industry of truck driving, there are many aspects of trucking you don't get paid fully for ie tarping for flat bed for example. Your are correct in that we get paid for driving. But how many jobs do you work 70 hours a week an no over time. If you take truck driving compared to other industries...you have to figure 40 hrs for trucking. Meaning you work 30 hours pretty much free, you don't see your family much, miss events. So tell me how you feel trucking makes more than minimum wage???? Go head I'm listening
Andy Turner where you getting that we are unskilled labor. Last I checked you take tests to.get your certification (cdl), you have endorcements (air bag, brakes...combo). Do you know the definition of "skilled labor" is. We are in the same catagory as law enforcement...just different subheading...
Andy Turner and $17/hr is good maybe for a HS or college kid, but not for someone who's trying to provide for a family
If you take what we do and put a value on it, we should be making an equivalent of a salary of 80k +
Some O/Os,and lease purchase drivers,are allegedly claiming to bring home between 120k and 200k a year. LOL. They are claiming thats net. Not gross. And whoever isn't bringing home that much is a "steering wheel holder" or whatever.
I have held long haul truck jobs that I did make that range of pay...that trucking job was specialty hauling. Most jobs are your typical dry box, refer...as well as half the flat bed hauling. These positions are the low paying jobs, the least skilled. Basically the trucks that mostly driving. The jobs that make upwards of 120k low range. So yes there are driving jobs that do make that. These companies are mostly O/O and don't advertise. Companies that advertise are bottom feeders, the more the advertise the lower the company is on the ladder...
I love working for a company that pays $80,000 a year .... If u feel like your not getting paid what u deserve then it's time for a new job .
You goshdamn right
Mike Van Der Mallie to get where I'm tryin to get to take time and the right experience. I'm not goin for low end 80k...I'm goin for 6 figure hauling...don't have to work year round can see your daily more. Have a life and earn enough to rerire
Andy Turner wasn't claiming we are unskilled labor... Until recently we (truck drivers) were CATEGORIZED as unskilled labor... Now we are categorized as "mid- skilled labor"...
The dad part is that drivers in the transport industry have always been classified as unskilled, being that no college degree to carry the job. It's why wages are so low.
How about getting paid while sitting at the dock getting screwed with a handful of sand thrown in.....Not worth being away from home any more.......And the idiots in the trucks now a days.......screw the trucking industry....lets cruise at 62 in the left lane in a 75.........because you are a no driving MORON
That's no lie
Apparently the labor force executives do consider a long haul truck driver an unskilled force...that's sad, I will expect to get refunded for my lisense, and all other expense I have to pay for my job...since you consider our job as unskilled...ur disgusting
Pay increase where the hell is it not in my paychecks food goes up along with gas clothes ECT pay isn't how the hell are we supposed to live feed off the government hell no I'm not these people believe their own damn lies
According to Clinton the queen she'll fix it
Yeah well when everybody is on electronic log and they govern the trucks down, the money has to go up. Nobody is going to work for less. Mileage money may go up, but with your speed limited and big brother watching you your miles will go down. Money goes up but miles go down. Big deal
It's false articles like these that sucker the unsuspecting idiots into this business with delusions of grandeur and wealth beyond their wildest dreams. Then reality sets in...
Yeah I'll believe that when the brokers in that start paying $2 44 dry Freight in $2.10 more for reefer I call BS and until that happens b*******
Brokers are part of the problem. Them seem to think that they are entitled to the 30% to 40% they take.
How about zero increase in over ten years all the while enduring ridiculously high fuel, maintenance and equipment cost increases! The pay and rates are 40% behind where they should be for the cost and sacrifice!
Ten years? Try twenty i make the same money my dad did starting over 20 yrs ago
They just ended wagelock pay where I work, to me that means we have too many drivers and they're trying to get some to quit
What increases there have been really did not cover the cost rises in everything drivers and owners use ! Scales 11 dollars where 3 dollars ! Tolls what was 14 dollars to cross IN something like 40 now ! Try eating at a truck stop restaurant hamburger 10 dollars with a drink ? Where they still have buffets 14 dollars where they where 7 dollars ! All of this in the past 9 years ! And drivers got 10 cents a mile ? Owners have had to eat it !
Companys are trying to pay owner operators the same rate they did 15 years ago! Total BS
I got a He'll of a pay raise,,,,food stamps and obama care,!!!
Lol
Total bs... We wish tho.. With all new rules i say pay cut!!
I certainly didnt have a wage increase, as a matter of fact i have seen the rates go down for the past year.. we sure could use a wage increase though.
Couldn't pay enuff to go back out there! I'll stay up in tbe north Maine woods moving equipment
Someone didn't do their homework. While a steaming pile of shizzzz
Lol according to the website space aliens are coming to take over the world. That's about as believable as truck drivers getting a pay raise
To all you people bitching about the conditions of trucking, QUIT YOUR JOB THEN.
Yeah that's how initiate change quit and walk away.
You haven't been in the trucking industry long enough to know that's just what drivers do.. Piss and moan.. And get back in the truck and go to work..
I drove an entire recession to know how companies and the dot are willing to treat drivers. I got sick of it 7 years later and walked.
When does this start? I been waiting 20 years to make what I'm worth?
I would like to know where my increase is??? Do these people even read what they write?
44% of all jobs in the US are involved in transportation but I think whoever wrote this was either smoking or dreaming.
Not to mention showers are $12 if you song have credits on your rewards card...pilot...Columbus,Ohio
Bullshit" pay does not cover the Hours you Work not even close. 👎🏻😖👎🏻
Yeah if you are an hourly driver, otr ppm drivers pay has been the same for 40 yrs or longer
Doubt it . Wages for truckers have never went much since I started in 1980
If you're bitching about your paycheck it's no one's fault but your own! Find a company where you can make the amount of money you think you're worth!
Yup it will be short lived...they will sence your joy..and stop it
I call bs also all the time we put in out here some of us are lucky to take home 600.00 a week should make way more for what we have to deal with out here!
Yeah GTFOH....HAHAHAHA
Log 70 hours work 90
that all, lol
And get paid for 40
I can point out so many flaws in this story!!
This is laughable!!!
Think I left out in this survey
I call bull shit
Damn....what have they been smokin'?
The reality is, this is bs. Otr drivers are the most taken advantage of by their own industry. No ot, no perdiem, no pay when sitting, no paid or day off for holidays. No sympathy if you aren't down with that. Otr drivers should strike for 48 hours. No trucks move until they are balanced between pay to life time measure to as well as for the responsibility involved with each safety aspect. When the truck breaks, drivers money stops coming in yet must go out to survive. Dot cooperation, online tests, pap er rwork. Route troubleshooting. All part of the job that is virtually non paid. Unloading, loading, attending the process 0$ on the payday. No ot is complete bs.
Some more of Obama's cronies Fuzzy Math
Where are they looking???? Fantasy land??
Lmao yea sure... I'll check the next paycheck!
B.S.
This us wages from the 90's companies still want to pay it
Celashits quoted me .32 a mile, told them no thanks and that's with experience
Uhhh, when the heck are we going to see it?
I CALL BS
ya think?
B.S
bawhahahahahahahaha did y'all see that bawhahahahaha they made a funny
I call 🐂💩
Propaganda for recruiting.
I call bullshit!!
Where's this happening fairyland
You lying fucks! Biggest wage decrease you fuck nuts.
When?
Yeah right , bullshit
They deserve it
Ya ok were not in this line of work.
It's about time
Where n when?
Now here's some serious bullshit smfh
Never been this poor in 32 years out here
Lies.
Yea right
Don't have not song..Damn auto
Yah right
Yeah right!
Totally agree with Kirk!
About time, we are behind about 15 years so it better be good
WHAT A FREAKING JOKE THIS IS
Increase for Driver ? Really ? 1.50 to 2.00 a mile For drivers ONLY
LMAO.....I WISH.....
This add is to notice new drivers thinking about get ing in
Whatever
WHAT BULL SHIT
I'm calling bullshit
My ass lowest paid poeple out here
Bs, cheap load.. wow
Maybe if your local OTR guy are way underpaid
BS. I'M still making crap
Not!!!!!!
Bull
BULLSHIT BULLSHIT AND BULLSHIT
My company thinks I'm being unreasonable becsuse I am going to be home for thsnksgiving against their authority. I have a problem with that. I'll be home for roving regardless.
Lol
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Bullshit.......
BS
Hahahahahahaha!!!!!!
where??????
Where??????????????????????
This doesn't include OO .total BS. Rates need to go up b4 it affects OO and I don't c that happening.
Where are they getting these numbers???? Hillary Clinton??
Jan Krakowiak Jr. the comments
Wow, dude. Just wow.
Bull Crap! We are getting more regulation and head aches!
O please. Not up. More like down
Article is "sucker bait" and a "lure" for flunkies that make people who know this business furious.
Enough of this rederic talk!! True that Kirk!!
Robert Madarik