How much do walmart drivers get paid

MoneyWatch

Table of Contents Show

How much do Walmart local truck drivers make?
What is the highest paying Truck Driver job?
How much do Walmart truck drivers make in Texas?
Does Walmart have local truck drivers?

Updated on: April 7, 2022 / 5:21 PM / MoneyWatch

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Walmart is increasing the pay it offers truck drivers in its private fleet to $110,000 in their first year on the job.

The nation's biggest retailer said Thursday in blog post that drivers with previous experience working with the company can earn even more based on their tenure and location. Walmart has about 12,000 workers that drive its company-owned trucks.

Walmart said that prior to this increase, the average salary for new drivers was $87,500 in their first year. It also said it hired about 4,500 truck drivers last year, the most in its history.

"We will continue to hire based on need to support growth of the business," a Walmart spokeswoman told CBS MoneyWatch. She added that the company will also pay for a driver's cost of earning a commercial driver's license, which can be around $4,000 to $5,000.

Walmart's recruitment push comes as the country faces a shortage of truck drivers, which is worsening supply-chain snags and making it harder to get products onto store shelves. President Biden on Monday announced a plan to recruit more veterans and women to the trucking industry.

Walmart said that people can visit drive4walmart.com to apply for a job.

"These latest investments mean Walmart drivers can now make up to $110,000 in their first year with the company," said Fernando Cortes, senior vice president of transportation at Walmart, and Karisa Sprague, senior vice president of Supply Chain People, in the company's post.

Trucking industry hit hard by rising fuel costs 02:10

By comparison, the median pay for heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers in 2020 was $47,130 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Last year, the industry was short a record 80,000 drivers, according to the American Trucking Associations, a trade group.

To become a Walmart driver, applicants must have some qualifications under their belt. The company requires that drivers have an Interstate (Class A) Commercial Driver's License with HAZMAT endorsement, or receipt of HAZMAT endorsement within 120 days of being hired. Job candidates must also have a clean driving record with no serious traffic or moving violations within the last three years.

Walmart screens for DUI, DWI, OUI (operating under the influence) or reckless driving involving alcohol or drug convictions within the last 10 years, as well as issues such as preventable accidents on the road.

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Facing a nationwide shortage of truck drivers, Walmart announced Thursday that it is increasing the salary truckers can earn in their first year to as much as $110,000.

"The average salary for a long haul driver is $56,491 a year," Walmart said in an infographic it released with the announcement. "Walmart's starting wage can nearly double that."

The American Trucking Associations said in October that there is a shortage of 80,000 drivers in the U.S., prompting calls for higher pay on the part of carriers. Some trucking companies have responded by offering sign-on bonuses.

Walmart's raise puts it on par with another supply-chain giant, the food distributor Sysco, which now also advertises that its drivers could earn as much as $110,000 a year.

"Drivers are in high demand today — a fact exacerbated by COVID," the ATA said in a March 25 release. "To attract and retain drivers, fleets must increase pay, which is now happening at extraordinary levels.

"We’re witnessing unprecedented pay increases across the industry, with weekly driver earnings surging at a rate more than 5x their historical average — up more than 25% for long-haul, truckload drivers since the beginning of 2019," the trucking association said, adding that some fleets are serving up five-figure sign-on bonuses and benefits as they compete for a limited pool of drivers.

Walmart also announced the launch of a truck driver development program. Already, the company said, the 12-week program has allowed existing Walmart supply-chain workers in Texas and Delaware to earn a commercial driver’s license and become full-fledged private fleet Walmart truckers.

Rob Wile is a breaking business news reporter for NBC News Digital.

How much do Walmart local truck drivers make?

Average Walmart Truck Driver yearly pay in the United States is approximately $88,533, which is 23% above the national average.

What is the highest paying Truck Driver job?

9 Highest Paying Trucking Jobs.

Ice Road Drivers. ... .

Oversized Load. Salary: $71,442 per year. ... .

Specialty Vehicle Haulers. Salary: $82,099. ... .

Team Drivers. Salary: $96,573. ... .

Private Fleet. Salary: $95,999 - $110,000 per year. ... .

Mining Industry Drivers. Salary: $58,862. ... .

Liquids / Tanker. Salary: $88,024. ... .

Hazmat Drivers. Salary: $65,466..

How much do Walmart truck drivers make in Texas?

How much does a Truck Driver make at Walmart in Texas? Average Walmart Truck Driver yearly pay in Texas is approximately $76,101, which is 6% above the national average.

Does Walmart have local truck drivers?

Walmart also hires local drivers, who stick to smaller areas and are guaranteed daily home time. These positions offer a slightly lower average salary of $75,000, but the same employee perks and benefits still apply.