Tthe trucking industry is today in the public eye far more than it has been in recent years.
As a critical link in the supply chain, trucking has been a hot-button topic in the media throughout the pandemic. All this attention means that truck driving as a profession is now being considered with more respect and appreciation, as both an irreplaceable part of the economy and a source of growth for people entering the workforce. But the COVID-19 pandemic is weighing heavily on trucking and transportation, leaving truckers stressed. These same drivers are now literally and figuratively in the driver’s seat to push their industry to a new level — but are employers ready to listen and change?
Centerline Drivers last year surveyed both truck drivers and business owners to gain insights about the transportation industry, and these are the key takeaways about the state of trucking today.
Competition, inflation and the growing e-commerce sector all caused significant raises in wage rates among drivers — particularly in the past year. However, 55% of drivers still don’t think pay is competitive enough. Rising wage rates are almost nullified by inflation in some parts of the country, and while 68% of employers plan to step up and increase wages this year (compared to only 44% in 2021), these increases are nominal, only $1 or 2 per hour.
Wages remain a primary attractor for employees, as well as a motivator for performance. By raising wages (not to mention improving benefits and incentives) trucking companies can recruit the best workers and keep them happy and productive in their tasks. In the long run, higher wages are an investment in higher profits, as more productive and dedicated drivers will create fewer problems and more positive results.
Support for wage hikes is unsurprising given the significant toll that trucking takes on drivers’ day-to-day lives, particularly these last few years of increased demand and strict oversight. Healthcare professionals have been at the forefront of the burnout conversation in the wake of COVID-19, but critical workers like truck drivers deserve equal attention in broader national conversations about burnout and fatigue.
