Central Oregon Truck Company recently announced a new driver pay structure it calls “Weekly Driver Salary Pay.”
According to Rick Williams, CEO of COTC, explained the new pay plan:
“Our program gives new drivers a $65,000 a year base, while our experienced drivers can now make more than $90,000 a year – some can push $100,000. What’s more, we guarantee at least 2,430 miles per week with a minimum salary of $1,250, so drivers know their gross check amount. Again, that’s minimum, and for drivers who want more home or rest time, this provides a stable living wage. But, for other drivers who want to run more miles, this program is great too. If a driver runs 3,000 miles for the week, that salary would increase to $1,575 – escalating up to $2,000 a week for solo drivers.
“Overall, this means a $10,000 to $15,000 a-year jump for our drivers. We also offer ‘loyalty pay,’ which is an additional one to three cents per mile driven.”
The company has also started a team pay program. Team drivers can earn between $2,350 and $3,345 gross each week, for an annual salary between $122,000 to $173,000, according to Williams.
Williams also offered some insight into driver pay in general.
“Drivers on the road have always deserved more money but past market conditions have held wages down. But, now the market is changing. The reality is shippers need to pay enough to support a quality wage for drivers and their families. It’s starting to happen, and at COTC we want to lead the way.”
Central Oregon Truck Company, a Daseke company, was founded in 1992 and today operates 350 trucks and has more than 1,700 third-party carriers. The company serves more than 2,500 customers annually in all 48 States and Canada.
