The trucking industry has traditionally been dominated by elderly males.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, men account for over three-quarters of the workforce in the transportation and warehousing industry. The agency has also established that about one-quarter of all truck drivers are aged at least 55 years.
Employing a predominantly senior workforce may offer unique benefits by leveraging their professional experience. However, the arrangement is highly unsustainable when you consider that the aging population is gradually dwindling.
Fortunately, this worrying trend is projected to change as industry stakeholders take concrete steps to enhance demographic diversification in the trucking industry.
Read on as we examine specific interventions poised to change the trucking labor landscape.
Dissecting the Current Shortage in Truck Drivers
Trucking is arguably the backbone of the economy. Truck drivers bridge the gap between businesses and their clients, facilitating critical freight services like last-mile deliveries.
According to trucking industry news from the American Trucking Associations (ATA), trucks moved some 10.23 billion tons of freight across the United States in 2020. The trucking industry accounted for 80.4% of the US’s freight bill, underscoring its significant role in keeping the supply chain moving.
ATA figures also indicate that the US trucking industry employed 7.65 million people. That’s enough to make it one of the largest employers, ranking alongside the federal government, as well as the retail and hospitality sectors.
However, a paltry 3.36 million people out of the trucking industry’s entire workforce constituted professional truck drivers. That translates into an acute shortage.
Recent ATA estimates put the current truck driver deficiency at 60,000 people. Without urgent interventions, these shortages may hit 160,000 by 2030.
Even more concerning is the disproportionately high percentage of elderly male truck drivers.
As mentioned, three-quarters of truckers are men, and a quarter of these are aged 55 years and over. Minority groups make up slightly over 40%, making the industry even less labor diverse.
How Key Trucking Players Are Driving Labor Diversification in the Industry
1. Streamlining Barriers to Entry-Level Drivers
The existence of numerous entry barriers has made it exceedingly difficult for younger people to break into the trucking industry. But that’s poised to change, thanks to recent regulatory developments.
On February 7, 2022, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented the Entry-Level Driver Training Mandate that would reform how driving schools train individuals seeking their Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) for the first time. The new regulation will streamline CDL training in every state to provide consistent training to all new drivers across the country.
Therefore, younger CDL holders will be eligible for truck driving jobs even outside their respective training jurisdictions.
2. Scaling Up Driver Base Salaries
The annual salary for entry-level truck drivers is around $40,000 – $50,000. Base salaries increase proportionately to a trucker’s experience, with factors like specialized skills and mileage also playing a key role.
Many carriers have been keen to scale up their truck drivers’ base salaries to improve driver retention. Noteworthy mentions include GP Transco and Roehl.
GP Transco raised its drivers’ base pay by a whopping 15% in 2021. Meanwhile, Roehl announced it would remunerate truckers with at least one year of experience an average of $1,360 a week (about $70,700 annually), as of November 2024.
3. Offering Better Incentives
Merely increasing base salaries isn’t sufficient. To attract other demographics into the trucking industry, there’s a need to offer attractive incentives.
Carriers like Marten Transport provide tiered performance-based bonuses each month to drivers who hit specific mileage goals. Besides, there are incentives for safe driving and fuel efficiency.
These initiatives help nurture job satisfaction, minimizing the truck driver turnover rate.
4. Provision of Fringe Benefits
Dangling fringe benefits is another strategy trucking stakeholders are deploying to appeal to diverse demographics. These perks come in various forms, including retirement plans, health insurance, and days off.
GP Transco, Old Dominion Freight Line, and Marten Transport are just a few major freight companies that offer their drivers generous retirement benefits.
Some carriers even let their drivers pick packages that align with their retirement goals.
5. Enhanced Focus on Driver Safety
Truck accidents pose an existential threat to truckers. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), 5,375 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes in 2023.
These statistics make the prospect of becoming a truck driver intimidating for entry-level truck drivers.
To allay truck accident fears, many carriers deploy fleet telematics to assist with tasks like preventive maintenance.
6. Targeted Recruitments
Increasing labor diversity in the trucking industry requires a direct, intentional approach.
Rather than put up generic job ads that attract all and sundry, freight companies are now embracing a more targeted approach. It’s not uncommon to stumble on trucking job alerts encouraging applications from younger people, females, or members of ethnic minorities.
Schneider National is a noteworthy mention here. The logistics provider has a workforce comprising 13% of female truck drivers, which is nearly double the industry’s national average.
Securing the Future of the Trucking Industry Via Labor Diversification
Implementing labor reforms that appeal to different demographics is a significant step towards securing the future of the trucking industry.
However, the goal isn’t merely to lure younger and female truckers in with the promise of better job offers. Instead, initiatives should center on creating a sustainable environment that provides long-term job satisfaction.
While the onus is on industry stakeholders to roll out strategic trucking reforms, a change in individual mindsets will play a critical role as well.
