Average earnings in the truck transportation and warehousing industry are higher than the average for all private industry. The average wage in the trucking sector of the industry was higher than the average wage in warehousing.
Most employers compensate truck drivers with an hourly rate or a rate-per-mile system. Truck drivers who operate heavy tractor-trailers generally have higher earnings than those who drive light delivery trucks. Benefits, including performance related bonuses, health insurance, and sick and vacation leave are common in the trucking industry.
The major union in the truck transportation and warehousing industry is the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. About 13 percent of trucking and warehousing workers are union members or are covered by union contracts, compared to about 15 percent of workers in all industries combined. Some trucking companies use “double breasting” in an attempt to lower labor costs. This involves employing union as well as nonunion operating divisions. Other companies use multi-tier wage scales and pay lower wages for new hires. Pay increases after predetermined periods and safe driving records.