Truck Driver Pay Increased in 2025, New ATA Study Reports

Truck driver pay continued to increase in 2025 despite difficult conditions across the freight industry, according to a new study from the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Released on October 7, 2026, the 2026 ATA Driver Compensation Study reports higher compensation across several trucking sectors. These include truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), and private fleets.

The findings come after several years of weak freight demand, declining rates, and rising operating expenses.

ATA also reported that most surveyed carriers planned additional driver pay increases in 2026. However, those plans do not necessarily mean that the increases have taken place.

The study collected information from more than 130 fleets representing over 140,000 employee drivers and 9,000 independent contractors.

Truck Driver Pay Increased 8.3% for Irregular-Route Drivers

One of the study’s largest reported increases involved dry van drivers working irregular routes.

According to ATA, median annual compensation for these drivers reached $73,639 in 2025, an 8.3% increase compared with the 2023 figure.

The figures apply to employee drivers working for for-hire truckload carriers.

ATA also reported a 4.2% increase in median compensation for dry van drivers working dedicated routes over the same period.

Dedicated-route drivers continued to earn more than irregular-route drivers, according to the study.

However, ATA noted that the carriers participating in its surveys changed between reporting periods.

This means the reported percentage increases reflect comparisons between survey samples rather than verified raises for the same group of drivers.

Actual earnings may also vary depending on experience, mileage, equipment type, location, and individual carrier compensation policies.

LTL and Private Fleet Drivers Reported Higher Earnings

The study also examined compensation in the less-than-truckload sector.

According to ATA, median annual compensation for LTL drivers included:

• Linehaul LTL drivers: $85,000.
• Local LTL drivers: $72,942.

Linehaul drivers generally transport freight between terminals, while local drivers handle pickups and deliveries within designated service areas.

Private fleets also reported relatively high compensation.

ATA found that dry van dedicated-route employee drivers working for private carriers earned median annual compensation exceeding $75,000.

The association reported that drivers operating tank trucks and refrigerated equipment at private fleets earned even more.

However, the public announcement did not provide exact compensation figures for those two categories.

These findings suggest that compensation continues to vary considerably across trucking operations.

They also show why comparing pay across different trucking sectors requires more than looking at a single industrywide figure.

Independent Contractor Compensation Exceeded $170,000

The study also included compensation information for independent contractors leased to trucking companies.

According to ATA, leased-on independent contractors working with truckload carriers received median gross annual compensation exceeding $170,000.

Independent contractors associated with private fleets reportedly received more than $200,000 in median gross annual compensation.

However, gross compensation is not the same as take-home income.

Independent contractors may be responsible for significant business expenses, depending on their operating arrangements.

These expenses can include fuel, insurance, maintenance, equipment payments, and other operating costs.

As a result, the reported gross compensation figures should not be directly compared with employee driver earnings.

The amount contractors retain after expenses could be substantially lower.

ATA’s public announcement did not provide enough information to calculate net earnings for the independent contractors included in the study.

Truck Driver Pay for Detention Time and Bonuses

The study also examined compensation beyond regular driving assignments.

According to ATA, 74% of surveyed for-hire truckload carriers reported paying drivers for excessive detention time.

Detention occurs when drivers spend extended periods waiting at shipping or receiving facilities.

Depending on company policies and compensation agreements, these delays may reduce the time drivers have available for other revenue-generating work.

The findings suggest that detention pay is offered by many participating carriers. However, the announcement did not specify the payment amounts or qualifying waiting periods.

The study also identified a decline in signing bonuses.

ATA reported that the median signing bonus decreased by $500, reaching $2,000.

The association attributed the decline partly to a less competitive market for drivers.

However, the announcement did not establish whether the reduction occurred consistently across all trucking sectors.

Northeast Reported the Highest Regional Driver Compensation

Location also played a role in the compensation figures.

According to ATA, dry van drivers in the Northeast received median annual compensation slightly above $78,000, excluding benefits.

This was the highest figure among the seven regions examined in the study.

Regional differences may reflect several factors, including freight patterns, operating expenses, labor market conditions, and carrier compensation practices.

However, ATA’s announcement did not provide a detailed explanation for the Northeast’s higher reported compensation.

The findings also do not establish that drivers in the region have greater purchasing power after accounting for living expenses.

Carriers Report Plans for Additional Pay Increases in 2026

ATA reported that a majority of surveyed carriers planned to increase driver compensation in 2026.

Those plans could indicate continued efforts to retain experienced drivers and compete for qualified employees.

However, the announcement did not specify how many carriers had already implemented increases or how large the planned adjustments might be.

ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello said the reported compensation growth occurred despite challenging freight market conditions.

He also suggested that improving market conditions and increased enforcement against noncompliant carriers could make compensation data more important for companies competing for drivers.

Those expectations remain uncertain. Freight demand, operating costs, and carrier financial conditions could influence future compensation decisions.

What the ATA Study Means for Truck Drivers

The latest findings offer a look at compensation trends among the trucking companies participating in ATA’s survey.

They suggest that some trucking sectors maintained or increased driver compensation despite difficult freight market conditions.

However, several limitations are important when interpreting the results.

The study represents participating fleets rather than every trucking company in the United States. Its comparisons also involve different carrier samples across reporting periods.

Additionally, the publicly released findings do not establish whether reported compensation increases exceeded inflation or translated into higher purchasing power.

For now, ATA’s findings indicate that median compensation increased in several surveyed categories between 2023 and 2025.

Whether those increases continue throughout 2026 will depend on actual carrier decisions and broader freight market conditions.