Nussbaum Transportation increases driver pay and adds a profit-sharing program to boost earnings
Key takeaways
- Nussbaum raises mileage pay, weekly guarantees, and bonuses to boost OTR driver earnings.
- Profit sharing and key location pay boosts tie driver income to company performance and demand.
- Higher first-year earnings and expanded incentives aim to improve driver recruitment and retention.
Nussbaum Transportation is rolling out a series of pay increases and new driver benefits, the company’s largest compensation update in recent history. The company is expanding driver earnings through higher mileage rates, guaranteed pay, and performance-based incentives.
Higher mileage rates and weekly guarantees are included for both current drivers and new hires. Existing OTR drivers will receive a 3-cent per mile increase and a $50 weekly minimum guarantee boost, while new hires will see a 5-cent per mile increase and a $100 higher weekly guarantee compared to earlier this year. New drivers hired in key locations will receive an additional 10-cent per mile increase and a $200 weekly guarantee boost.
“Our professional drivers set Nussbaum apart by living our vision and values in a job that can be quite challenging,” said Bill Wettstein, president of Nussbaum Transportation. “They deserve this pay increase, and we are excited for them to continue sharing in the value that their hard work and dedication have created. We are also excited to extend these high-paying, purpose-driven career opportunities to other drivers who join our family.”
A $3,000 transition bonus will be paid to new drivers within their first six months. Profit sharing has been added fleetwide, giving drivers quarterly bonus payouts tied to company performance, averaging about $0.02 per mile in typical years and reaching $0.04 or more in stronger years. Nussbaum also doubled its early exit option to $2,000, extending financial support for drivers who choose to leave within their first 90 days.
New hires are expected to earn an additional $5,000–$6,000 annually, with first-year earnings projected between $81,000 and $92,000 depending on experience. Drivers in key locations can earn about $12,000 more annually, with first-year pay ranging from $86,000 to $95,000.
