Averitt Express (No. 30 on the FleetOwner 500: For-Hire) is overhauling its driver compensation structure, raising top mileage rates for regional drivers and adjusting wages across its less-than-truckload (LTL) division.
Effective August 9, Averitt’s regional drivers will see their top mileage pay rise from 64 cents per mile to 66 cents per mile.
Key changes to Averitt regional and hazmat compensation
Under the updated structure, Averitt is also eliminating separate, variable mileage rates for hazmat drivers, unifying all regional truckload drivers under the same base pay scale. Hazmat drivers will instead receive a flat $25 accessorial payout per hazmat load hauled.
"Providing competitive pay is one of the many ways we demonstrate our commitment to the professional drivers who keep our customers’ freight moving," said Barry Blakely, Averitt president and chief operating officer. "This updated compensation plan simplifies how our drivers are paid while ensuring every truckload driver has the opportunity to earn our top mileage rate."
Averitt also said it made wage adjustments for its LTL drivers, which took effect July 26.
Driver compensation trends in the for-hire market
Driver compensation represents one of the largest operating cost centers for commercial fleets and remains a primary lever for driver retention. Averitt’s rate hike reflects broader competitive pressures across the for-hire market, joining recent pay increases from major carriers including J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Schneider National, and Werner Enterprises.
