One of the largest private fleets in the country increases driver pay next month.
Beginning in February drivers for Walmart will receive a 1 cent-per-mile increase and a 50-cent increase in activity pay for arrive and arrive/drop occurrences. According to a statement from the company, that means Walmart drivers will now be paid up to $1 every time they arrive at their destination and drop a trailer.
With this increase, Walmart drivers can earn an average of $87,500 in their first year of employment with an all-in rate of nearly 89 cents per mile, according to the company.
Walmart is also offering a 5 percent premium on mileage and eight different activities for drivers in its Northeast region.
“Truck drivers are a critical part of our team here at Walmart and have been since Sam Walton started the private truck fleet in the 1970s,” said Greg Smith, executive vice president of Walmart U.S. Supply Chain. “Our professional drivers are part of what makes Walmart so special. This wage increase reflects the importance of our private fleet and our commitment to recruiting and retaining the best drivers in the industry.”
The company also offers:
- a weekly schedule, so drivers know when they will be home and on the road.
- no-touch freight; Walmart said its drivers don’t unload trucks.
- parking at Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs and distribution centers across the country.
- access to company benefits on their first day and drivers can earn as many as 21 days of paid time off in their first year.
Walmart’s 8,000 drivers travel over 700 million miles to 4,700 locations across the nation.
To drive for Walmart, a driver must have at least 30 months of full-time experience with no serious traffic violations in the last three years, according to the company.
