NEW ORLEANS – Walmart is announcing on Wednesday, Jan. 23, an investment in driver wages. This investment represents Walmart’s commitment to maintaining its position as one of the best jobs in the transportation industry and the importance of recruiting and retaining the best drivers. Details were shared in a press release.
Beginning in February, drivers will receive a per mile increase of $0.01 and a 50-cent increase in activity pay for arrive and arrive/drop occurrences. That means Walmart drivers will now be paid up to $1 every time they arrive at their destination and drop a trailer. With this increase, Walmart drivers can earn an average of $87,500 in their first year of employment with an all-in rate of nearly 89 cents per mile.
“Truck drivers are a critical part of our team here at Walmart and have been since Sam Walton started the private truck fleet in the 1970s,” said Greg Smith, executive vice president of Walmart U.S. Supply Chain. “Our professional drivers are part of what makes Walmart so special. This wage increase reflects the importance of our private fleet and our commitment to recruiting and retaining the best drivers in the industry.”
The perks and benefits of driving for Walmart extends well beyond the competitive per mile rate and activity-based pay. Some of the reasons truck drivers say they enjoy working for Walmart include:
Great benefits. Walmart drivers have access to company benefits on their first day of employment and can earn as much as 21 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) in their first year.
Predictable home time. Walmart operates on a weekly schedule, so drivers know when they will be home or on the road. There is a bidding process two to three times a year to set driver schedules, so drivers know where they stand on work-life balance.
Walmart has one of the safest fleets operating with contemporary well-maintained equipment. At Walmart, drivers drive and earn money rather than waiting for a truck to be fixed.
Walmart offers quarterly safety bonuses, a safety incentive and recognition programs. The American Transportation Association has awarded Walmart the Safest Fleet in the Over 250 Million Mile Division for the past five consecutive years.
Transportation offices all over the country. Walmart operates more than 70 transportation offices throughout the U.S.
No-touch freight. Walmart truck drivers don’t unload trucks.
Safe parking. Walmart drivers park in well-lit, safe parking lots at Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers across the country.
“The trucking industry is committed to its drivers – the men and women who move America forward every day,” said Chance McNeely, executive director, Louisiana Motor Transport Association. “We continue to see our companies investing in human capital, creating great careers for thousands of skilled professionals. Walmart’s announcement is significant and an indication that our industry is strong and dedicated to its people.”
This wage increase is the latest step from Walmart to maintain the strength of its professional trucking fleet. Walmart’s drivers are helping the company recruit the best drivers, and the company is seeing an increase in referrals. The company also dramatically revamped its hiring and onboarding program, shortening the application and onboarding time by more than 50 percent.
Each year, Walmart’s 8,000 drivers travel over 700 million miles and deliver millions of cases of merchandise to Walmart and Sam's Club 4,700 locations across the nation — all while remaining one of the largest and safest fleets on the road. Walmart drivers are among the most experienced as well. To drive for Walmart, a commercial driver must have at least 30 months of full-time experience with no serious traffic violations in the last three years.
To apply to drive for Walmart, visit drive4walmart.com.
