Averitt Boosts Driver Pay

Averitt Express has become the latest carrier to increase pay for truckload drivers.

The Tennessee-based company’s announcement earlier this month followed recent pay boosts by Daseke’s Boyd Bros., a flatbed carrier based in Clayton, Alabama, and American Central Transport in Liberty, Missouri.

Driver pay has been increasing over the past two years as freight demand grows and fleets boost retention efforts in response to the chronic scarcity of drivers.

Averitt’s announcement said pay was raised to 45 cents per mile for drivers with five or more years of experience.

Other drivers also received increases, including 44.5 cents per mile for those with four to five years of experience and 44 cents per mile for those with three to four years.

The carrier said all truckload drivers also will receive enhanced accessorial pay, including detention, layover, local delivery and stop pay.

Cookeville, Tennessee-based Averitt ranks No. 33 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.