Driver pay: Here's who has boosted their compensation packages lately

When the American Transportation Research Institute released its annual survey of leading trucking issues last October, driver compensation was second in the overall ranking, just one spot behind the top issue, which was the driver shortage. 

However, when drivers' responses were tallied separately, company drivers said pay was their leading concern, while owner-operators ranked it third.

Today, about six months after the rankings were announced, driver pay is as hot an issue as there is in the trucking industry. Freight demand is up, and carriers are working hard to hire new drivers and hold onto the ones they have. Key to both those efforts is competitive compensation.  

Here are many of the carriers that have increased pay since the first of the year:

Tyson OTR drivers receive largest pay increase ever

CRST boosts OTR team driver pay by over 30%

Tennessee-based Milan raises driver pay

Barr-Nunn offers innovative Shift Load Pay option for drivers in some locations

XPO plans to hire 750 new drivers for its LTL operations

AFC Transport gives biggest ever pay increase; upgrades tractors and trailers

Maryland carrier announces driver pay increase

TransAm Trucking announces driver pay increase

Crete Carrier and Shaffer Trucking raise driver pay

Forward Air delivers largest driver pay raise in its history

Transco Lines gives drivers biggest pay hike in company's 37 year history

ITS Logistics proves dedication of its own, boosts pay for drivers

Missouri carrier expands dedicated division serving Amazon

St. Louis truckload carrier hikes driver pay

TMC hikes pay for drivers in 10 Northeastern states

Old Dominion plans to hire 800 drivers in next 3 months

Averitt Express' hikes pay for newly-hired regional truckload and flatbed drivers

Yellow plans to hire 1,500 drivers, opening driving schools

Mississippi carrier rolls out new pay plan for its drivers

Alabama flatbed company increases driver pay

Artur Express Inc. offers new pay, leasing programs

Major tanker carrier increases driver pay

Melton doubles pay to drivers for tarping loads

Ohio reefer company hikes driver salaries 17%

Trimac celebrates anniversary with driver pay raise

Major reefer carrier raises driver pay in January

Tennessee carrier celebrates anniversary with pay raise

Epes announces largest pay increase in its history