Article Summary
How are TMC Transportation drivers paid?
- Performance-Based Percentage Pay: Instead of a traditional flat per-mile rate, drivers earn a percentage of each load they haul (averaging 30% to 31%, up to 37%), which is calculated based on safety, efficiency, and other performance metrics.
- Automatic Market Adjustments: Because pay is tied directly to a percentage of the load's value, any increases in market freight rates are automatically and immediately passed along to the drivers' paychecks.
- Continuous Run Incentives: Drivers who choose to stay on the road over consecutive weekends receive an extra percentage bump on their loads—earning an additional 1% after one weekend, 2% after two, and up to 3% after three or more weekends away from home.
- Hourly and Flat-Rate Add-Ons: Drivers receive direct flat-rate compensation for specific tasks and days, including $125 per day for six major yearly holidays and increased tarping rates ($40 for smoke/steel and $50 for lumber).
TMC Transportation has launched three new driver pay initiatives, including a boost to holiday and tarp pay alongside the return of its continuous run program.
The pay bumps come as freight rates reach record highs, driving the carrier's average weekly gross driver pay up 8% year-over-year. The pay adjustments put TMC drivers on track for average annual earnings of nearly $87,000, with top-performing drivers expected to surpass $100,000 this year, the company said.
Effective as of Memorial Day, TMC (CCJ Top 250, No. 39) increased its holiday pay to $125 per day for six designated holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Company officials state the change positions TMC's holiday compensation among the highest in the trucking industry.
"Our drivers work hard to maximize their paychecks," TMC President Travis Johnson said. "As a company, we wanted to do our part to make holiday weeks a little easier for them."
TMC, the nation’s largest employee-owned flatbed carrier, also implemented a more than 20% increase to tarp pay. Drivers now earn $40 for smoke and steel tarping, and $50 for lumber tarping.
Additionally, TMC reinstated its continuous run program to accommodate drivers looking to maximize earnings through longer hauls. While the company primarily emphasizes weekly home time, the revived program allows drivers to stay on the road for consecutive weeks in exchange for higher performance-based percentage pay.
Under TMC’s existing system, drivers earn a percentage of each load hauled based on safety, efficiency and other metrics. The fleet-wide average sits between 30% and 31% per load, with new hires in key markets starting as high as 30%. Through the continuous run program, drivers who stay out past the weekend earn an additional 1% after one weekend and 2% after two weekends, capping at a 3% increase after three or more weekends on the road. The rate increase remains active until the driver returns home. Smart driving metrics can push a driver's total share to an industry-high 37%.
"We work with our drivers to help them find the right balance of pay and home time," Johnson said. "The continuous run program is a great option for drivers who want to make the most money they can. We make it worth our drivers’ time to stay on the road longer."
Because TMC utilizes a percentage-based pay structure rather than a flat per-mile rate, rising market freight rates are automatically reflected in driver compensation.
"Our percentage pay system automatically passes along rate increases to our drivers," Johnson said. "As freight rates have risen, so have our drivers’ paychecks—immediately."
