Like many other refrigerated tucking companies in the country, Salt Lake City, Utah-based Pride Transport increased driver pay this year. Unlike some of the other guys, the family-owned carrier has done it three times in the last 12 months.
Pride says its truck drivers now average $70,000 per year—before any incentive pay.
“It’s a great time to be driving at Pride Transport,” said Jeff England, founder and president of Pride Transport. “In the last 12 months, we’ve increased driver wages by 10 cents per mile, if you can believe that—and please, do believe it. That’s the truth. That’s a $12,000-per-year raise for our average driver.
“I know what truck driving is all about. I still drive regularly myself, and I also have a little experience running a trucking company. I founded Pride with one truck in 1979 and we are still family-owned and -operated today.”
The company insists its commitment to offering employees a stable career with competitive pays is one of the main reasons for its success, and drivers and industry leaders agree. In 2011, Pride Transport was recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association and CarriersEdge as one of the top 20 “Best Fleets to Drive For.”
The latest pay increase took effect Oct. 1 and followed compensation increases in December 2020 and July 2021. The combined raise of 10 cents per mile means Pride drivers now are making about 20% more than they did before the pandemic, the company said.
Along with the pay raise, the new rate range for solo over-the-road drivers at Pride now ranges between 51 and 75 cents per mile. Incentives average three to seven cents per mile on top of base pay, and detention pay is guaranteed at $15 per hour.
Pay plus benefits
On top of above-average industry pay, Pride also offers drivers an excellent benefits package. Pride employees receive a $10,000 sign-on bonus, which is paid out at a rate of $100 per week during the first two years of employment. Employees get $500 for orientation, paid the Monday after orientation upon hire.
Other benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance. Eligible full-time employees receive a life insurance policy on their eligibility date that covers $25,000 for the employee, $5,000 for the spouse, and $2,000 for each dependent child. Pride also offers employees a discretionary 401k with 20% match. The company’s truck drivers also get six paid holidays, paid vacation, stop pay, layover pay, and breakdown pay.
“On top of that, Pride holds many company activities for its employees to get to know each other and spend time with the Pride family,” the company said. “The company offers exceptional benefits any driver would take pride in. Most importantly, employees will be able to work in a driver-centric culture, ensuring that drivers share in the total success of the company.”
Swelling shortage
Although COVID-19 vaccines have brought many people back to work, there still is a significant shortage of drivers in the trucking industry. One of the main problems is finding drivers. According to trucker.com, the labor participation is two points below where it was before the recession, meaning about 2% of workers haven’t returned to work. And 2% of millions of workers means many truck drivers aren’t coming back.
Despite the shortage, the job outlook for the truck driving industry is positive. From 2020 to 2030, the trucking industry is projected to grow 6% with an average of about 231,100 job openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers jobs each year.
“Trucks deliver most of the freight in the United States,” Pride said. “The consistent need for truck drivers will continue to rise as households and businesses increase their spending and their demand for products. And with the continued demand, truck drivers can rest assured that there will not be a shortage of work.”
Driver support
Pride maintains its support of drivers is helping to battle the nationwide shortage. In addition to competitive pay and benefits, the company also offers flexible hours, and places a heavy emphasis on safe operation, ensuring drivers always return to their families.
Pride has job openings in OTR, dedicated, and regional operations for solo and team drivers. With an average of more than 21,000 miles per month, new equipment, incentive programs, and unwavering driver support, the company maintains its offers drivers the best compensation package in the industry. “Pride takes great satisfaction in knowing that drivers can rely on the company for a long and stable career with great pay,” the company said.
