A major trucking firm in the U.S. just enacted a major pay increase for its drivers – the largest in the decades-old company’s history, in fact.
KLLM Transport Services is boosting pay up to 33% for its over-the-road truckers and for trainees coming out of its academy, while regional company drivers and independent contractors will see a hike of 10 to 16% starting next month.
That’s a lot – far more than the current inflation numbers facing the U.S. – and KLLM CEO Jim Richards told us why: It comes down to drawing in good talent, and recognizing their drivers for a job that is incredibly taxing.
“Historically, it’s always been hard finding good, qualified drivers, and as of the last year or so, it’s become increasingly more difficult,” Richards told FOX Business.
He said that with the new pay structure, drivers trained by KLLM will hit the job with the opportunity to make around $70,000, with no cost to trainees for the education provided by the company. Prior to the hike, new drivers could expect to make around $48,000.
