driver pay News Updates

“The biggest headwind right now is finding qualified drivers,” said Priscilla Peters, vice president of marketing at Conversion Interactive Agency.

The ATA study drew on data from more than 130 fleets representing more than 140,000 employee drivers and 9,000 independent contractors.

Tom McLeod said the industry is riding a rate rebound driven by the winnowing of excess hauling capacity that had contributed to a four-year rate recession.

Competition for truck drivers has rebounded as freight conditions improve, driving up hiring costs, sign-on bonuses and pay increases at several fleets.

Looking to cut fuel costs without complicating operations? See how VA Transport used real-time in-cab coaching to cut fuel use by 3.5%. Combined with a solid driver incentive program, in-cab coaching also helped improve safety by cutting harsh maneuvers in half.

The Spring 2026 Truck Driver Survey showed a record 58.1% of drivers are looking for a new truck driving job, up from 46.8% during the same period in 2025.

USA Truck launched a revised driver incentive package that adds 5 cents per dispatched and paid mile through automatic payroll payments for eligible drivers.

Melton Truck Lines said it is increasing mileage pay for all company drivers by 5 cents to 8 cents per mile, depending on experience.

Nussbaum Transportation announced what it described as its largest compensation update in recent history, increasing mileage pay and more for OTR van drivers.

Maverick Transportation on May 13 said that its flatbed over-the-road drivers will receive a 4-cents-per-mile pay increase effective May 31.