BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – While it might not be the easiest phrase to roll off the toungue, a driver pay trend tracker, like the one Fleet Intel released could be useful for drivers.
The compay annouced the release of the third quarter’s numbers on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
The report includes average weekly pay by driver type, average weekly company driver pay by equipment type, and average weekly pay by technician type.
The data for the third quarter doesn’t necessarily foster good news for drivers, revealing a continued decline in starting pay for company drivers — with median weekly pay dropping by more than $200 over the past year.
However, the report does note that the weekly gross income for owner-operators has rebounded to the levels observed last year, according to a media release by Fleet Intel.
“While Q1 showed slight increases, indicating strengthening demand and an optimistic trend, the data from Q2 and Q3 reflects a continued downward trajectory in driver pay and company driver equipment types,” said Steve Sichterman, chief product officer at Conversion Interactive Agency. “This trend is largely driven by broader market conditions, such as oversupply and reduced freight rates, which continue to impact earning potential for drivers across the industry.”
In contrast, pay for technicians has remained relatively stable. During the third quarter, the national average weekly pay stood at $1,382 for CNG technicians and $1,400 for diesel technicians, showing little change year-over-year. Technician demand has generally remained flat, except in a few specific locations. Average pay by market, however, fluctuates significantly each quarter, influenced by factors such as local demand, economic conditions, and industry trends.
“The Q3 data reveals a mixed narrative in pay trends,” Sichterman noted. “While company driver pay continues to decline due to economic pressures, the steady wages for technicians and the recovery of owner-operator incomes demonstrate resilience in specific segments. Understanding these trends is critical for transportation companies to navigate challenges and seize emerging opportunities.”
Comparing driver pay across carriers in targeted freight markets remains essential for gaining a competitive edge in driver recruitment. Fleet Intel is dedicated to providing real-time data to help recruiting, sales, and operations teams better understand the dynamics of truck driver pay in their operational markets.
Bruce Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has lived in three states including Arkansas, Missouri and Georgia. During his nearly 20-year career, Bruce has served as managing editor and sports editor for numerous publications. He and his wife, Dana, who is also a journalist, are based in Carrollton, Georgia.
Pay has increased some in the last few years,yet it is harder to get it.For company drivers ,mechanical breakdowns and weather can easily take half your pay.Fleet mgrs and dispatchers will take every dollar they possibly can by knocking a driver for milage and even hrs logged.Then , you have to eat and park.At the end you could be frying wings and going home every night and making about the same net. It ‘s not the adventure it once was a few years ago and companies regrettably will suffer not so well.The driver is the only person in the company who actually brings the cash back from the load to the company coffers though they treat you as indentured ,which in reality you most certainly are.