Heartland Express raises driver pay

Iowa-based carrier Heartland Express has raised driver pay for its mileage drivers, owner-operators, hourly drivers, salaried drivers, and teams. Drivers will receive 40 to 49 cents per mile, based on division, on the Household Goods mileage scale for drivers with at least six months to a year of over the road experience.

Drivers with up to 10 years of experience may receive 45.5 to 53.5 cents per mile on the HHG miles. The fleet said its safest, most experienced drivers may earn up to 67.5 cents per mile in certain areas of the country.

Heartland’s other forms of compensation, such as safety bonuses, remain unchanged.

“Heartland has always strived to take a leadership position for driver pay. This pay increase, along with our existing benefits package, is going to offer the compensation that our drivers truly deserve,” the fleet’s President and CEO Mike Gerdin said. “Their service to our customers and their professionalism is the reason we can offer an improved pay package. It’s designed to both thank them and to let them know we are always looking to do more for our drivers and owner-operators.”

The pay raise went into effect July 7.