Truck Driver Pay Growth: A Deep Dive into 2022’s Surge

In 2022, the trucking industry witnessed a remarkable 15.5% year-over-year growth in driver wages.

In 2022, the trucking industry witnessed a remarkable 15.5% year-over-year growth in driver wages, reaching an average of $0.724 per mile. This significant increase underscores the industry’s relentless efforts to attract and retain top-tier drivers.

ATRI’s Comprehensive Analysis on Trucking Wages

According to a recent report from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI), this wage hike marks the steepest annual growth ever recorded by the industry group since its inception in 2008.

Interestingly, the wage boost occurred despite a softening freight market in recent months. The report also highlighted the importance of understanding the broader economic landscape, suggesting a more challenging labor market ahead.

A Closer Look at Bonuses: A Rising Trend

This wage hike marks the steepest annual growth ever recorded by the industry group since its inception in 2008.

ATRI’s findings highlighted that both starting and retention bonuses surged by over 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year. This impressive growth persisted even after adjusting for inflation.

Enjoying our insights?

Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest industry trends and developments.

Stay Informed

Wages’ Upward Journey: What’s Next?

Wages have consistently climbed in recent months. However, this trend might see a moderation, especially with the slowing inflation observed in the first half of 2023, as per ATRI’s analysis.

Hourly Wages Insights from Bureau of Labor Statistics

Both starting and retention bonuses surged by over 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year.

For those in the trucking sector, the average hourly wage jumped from $26.69 in Q1 2022 to $28.69 in Q1 2023. Preliminary data for April further indicates an ascent to $29.22 per hour.

Werner Enterprises’ Perspective on Wage Trends

Werner Enterprises, a key player in the industry, has been closely monitoring this wage growth trend. In a recent earnings call in May, the company’s executives shared insights. The carrier reported a 6% increase in driver pay per mile in Q1 2023, a stark contrast to the 22% spike observed in Q4 2021 during the pandemic’s peak.

Trucking Wages: What Lies Ahead?

Derek Leathers, Chief Executive, Werner Enterprises

“We believe the bulk of the wage pressure is now behind us. The broader economic landscape suggests a more challenging labor market ahead,” commented Werner’s chief executive, Derek Leathers.

FAQs on Truck Driver Pay Growth

• How much did truck driver pay increase in 2022?
  • In 2022, truck driver wages grew by an impressive 15.5% year-over-year.
• What factors contributed to the wage increase?
  • The industry’s efforts to attract and retain drivers played a significant role in the wage surge.
• How does the future look for trucking wages?
  • While wages have been on an upward trajectory, experts like Derek Leathers from Werner Enterprises believe that the major wage pressures are now in the past.

2023’s Truck Driver Pay Trends: What to Expect

The trucking industry has been undergoing significant changes, especially in terms of driver compensation. Here are some of the most notable trends observed in 2023:

New Entrants Enjoying Rapid Wage Growth

Wages have consistently climbed in recent months, but the trend might see a moderation with the slowing inflation observed in 2023.

One of the most pronounced trends from 2020 to 2022 has been the swift wage growth for newer drivers, particularly those with two years of experience or less. By percentage, the growth in mileage and hourly base pay for these drivers has been more than double that of their more experienced counterparts. To put it in perspective, drivers with just one year of experience in late 2022 were earning more than the highest-paid drivers in late 2018. Fleets need to be aware of this trend and ensure they offer a pay progression model that aligns with these expectations.

Safety Takes Precedence Over Productivity

Drivers with just one year of experience in late 2022 were earning more than the highest-paid drivers in late 2018.

There’s a clear shift in the industry towards compensation packages that emphasize safety over productivity. Traditional pay models that promote productivity, such as pay by the load or mileage pay, are expected to decline. Instead, compensation programs that encourage safer operating standards, like enhanced safety bonuses and hourly pay, are on the rise.

Consistency Through Guaranteed and Transition Pay

Inconsistent paychecks have been a long-standing concern for drivers. To address this, there’s been a significant trend towards motor carriers offering guaranteed weekly pay options. Nearly 40% of carriers surveyed by the National Transportation Institute in late 2022 were offering such programs, a substantial increase from just 15% in late 2017. Additionally, transition pay, which helps bridge gaps in drivers’ pay when transitioning between jobs, is also gaining traction.

The Shift to Retention and Tenure Bonuses

There’s a clear shift in the industry towards compensation packages that emphasize safety over productivity.

While sign-on bonuses have been a staple in driver recruiting, they aren’t effective for long-term retention. More fleets are now emphasizing referral and retention bonuses. In fact, the number of fleets offering referral bonuses has reached nearly 90% in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the average amount for these bonuses growing by nearly 10% year over year.

The Growing Importance of Schedule Flexibility

Scheduling flexibility, while not directly tied to pay, is becoming an essential component of a fleet’s compensation package. With generational shifts and a growing demand for better work-life balance, fleets are re-evaluating routing options and offering incentives to meet these demands.

Dig Deeper into Related Topics:

• For more news and updates on ATRI, check out this page.
• For additional insights into the challenges facing Driver Retention, explore this page.
• To dive deeper into the topic of Economics and its role in the global context, follow this link.
• Stay updated on the latest trends in Trucking Trends across various contexts, check out this link.
• Understand the strategies being employed in Fleet Safety to optimize outcomes, explore this link.
• Stay abreast of the latest trends shaping Inflation, click here.
• Explore our news of factors influencing growth in Market Growth across diverse contexts, visit this link.

Recommended Industry Resources:

• ATRI’s Research on Trucking Wages: Delve into the comprehensive studies and findings on trucking wages at the American Transportation Research Institute.
• Labor and Wage Statistics: For a deep dive into labor statistics and wage insights, explore the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Werner Enterprises’ Insights: Gain perspective on wage trends and access the latest reports from Werner Enterprises.

Further Reading on Truck Driver Pay Trends:

• Driver Wages: Delve into the Q1 2023 data trends on driver wages. The upward momentum might have slowed, but the pay gains remain historically strong. Read more here.
• Bloomberg Professional: Understand the outlook for the US trucking industry in 2023 with these comprehensive charts. Check out the charts here.
• Warrior Logistics: Get a grasp of the key statistics and trends shaping the trucking industry in 2023. Dive into the details here.