What the study found
The American Trucking Associations' 2026 Driver Compensation Study says for-hire dry-van irregular-route employee drivers received median annual compensation of $73,639 in 2025, up 8.3% from the 2023 median for the same category. Median compensation for dry-van dedicated-route employee drivers at for-hire truckload carriers rose 4.2% over the same comparison period.
Linehaul less-than-truckload drivers had median annual compensation of $85,000, while local LTL drivers had a $72,942 median. Dry-van dedicated-route employee drivers at private carriers exceeded $75,000 in median compensation, according to ATA.
Who the numbers represent
ATA says the study draws on more than 130 fleets representing over 140,000 employee drivers and 9,000 independent contractors. The report covers multiple operations and pay structures, so a median for one segment should not be treated as the rate for every driver or directly compared with a different job without examining miles, route type, benefits and time at home.
For independent contractors, the study reported median gross annual compensation above $170,000 for leased-on truckload contractors and above $200,000 for contractors at private fleets. Those are gross business receipts, not employee wages or take-home income, and do not subtract equipment, fuel, insurance, maintenance, taxes or other operating costs.
What drivers can use from it
Seventy-four percent of surveyed for-hire truckload carriers paid drivers for excessive detention time. The median signing bonus declined by $500 to $2,000, while most surveyed carriers said they planned to raise driver pay in 2026.
Drivers comparing offers should ask for the complete written compensation plan: employee or contractor classification, loaded and empty miles, detention and stop pay, guaranteed pay, benefits, deductions, home time and equipment costs. A study median is a benchmark, not a promise from a particular fleet.
Primary sources and supporting records
- American Trucking Associations: Driver Pay Continues to Rise as Trucking Emerges From a Tough Four YearsPrimary study publisher for sample, segment medians, percentage changes, detention pay and contractor gross-compensation context • Published 2026-10-07 • Checked October 8, 2026 at 7:14 AM
- Transport Topics: Truck driver pay rose in 2025 despite freight downturnIndependent trucking-industry reporting and interpretation • Published 2026-10-07 • Checked October 8, 2026 at 7:14 AM
- Truck News: Report finds truck driver pay on the riseSecond independent industry confirmation of study results • Published 2026-10-07 • Checked October 8, 2026 at 7:14 AM
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