ATA Report Details Rising Truck Driver Compensation
The 2026 Driver Compensation Study shows pay increases across multiple industry segments.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Trucks
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The American Trucking Associations released their 2026 Driver Compensation Study, revealing that driver pay rose across various fleets during 2025. The survey, which includes data from over 130 fleets, highlights a competitive labor market as carriers prioritize retention.
Why it matters
Fleets are working to secure and retain safe, qualified professional drivers in a tight labor market. The reported compensation increases reflect a broader industry strategy to improve the quality of life and earning potential for essential personnel.
Linehaul less-than-truckload drivers earned a median of $85,000, while leased-on truckload contractors reached a median gross annual income of over $170,000. Additionally, 74% of for-hire carriers now provide compensation for excessive waiting time.
The players
American Trucking Associations
This is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry in the United States.
The details
The American Trucking Associations survey represents over 140,000 employee drivers and 9,000 independent contractors. While dedicated-route dry van compensation grew by 4.2% over 2023 levels, median signing bonuses for new drivers have fallen to $2,000.
Timeline
2023 served as the baseline year for compensation comparisons.
2025 represents the period of reported pay gains.
2026 marks the year carriers plan further pay increases.
Roadmap
The trucking industry is currently balancing rising driver labor costs against the operational limitations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Hours of Service regulations. These compensation shifts position carriers to better compete for talent in a sector where retention is critical to maintaining national supply chains.
Increased driver pay may influence the total cost of freight, which can eventually impact the retail prices consumers pay for goods. Potential drivers may see higher base salaries but should note that traditional signing bonuses have cooled to a median of $2,000.
The takeaway
The industry trend toward higher base compensation suggests that carriers are prioritizing long-term stability over short-term hiring incentives. Prospective drivers can expect higher median annual earnings, particularly in specialized and linehaul roles.
Further reading
Find more industry trends in the Trucks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fleet Equipment.
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