Driver-focused trucking company supports drivers with a 5% pay increase
Truck drivers at Midwest Carriers will see bigger paychecks in 2023 with a 5 percent pay increase, surpassing the national average by miles. The average OTR driver at Midwest will earn $95,539 this year, with the top 50% of drivers to earn an average of $101,388. The local fleet drivers see an hourly wage increase of 5% as well, bringing the starting wage as high as $26 per hour. Local fleet drivers are also paid overtime wages for hours worked over 40 in the work week, bringing the overtime wage as high as $39.00 per hour.
Midwest Carriers also increased the cents per mile paid from $0.65 to $0.70 for miles driven over 2,400 in a work week. This is in addition to the weekly flat rate minimum wage that our drivers earn each week. Employees at the Wisconsin-based company now earn wages 37% higher than the national average, according to American Trucking Association data. The increase took effect Jan. 1, 2023. Midwest guarantees OTR drivers weekly minimum pay not dependent on miles driven so drivers are able to rely on consistent compensation.
“Truck drivers deserve to be adequately compensated and valued for their hard work,” said Eric Van Handel, President at Midwest. “At Midwest Carriers, we believe in recognizing our drivers with a competitive salary and full benefits. That’s a large reason why our turnover rate is much lower than our competitors—we’ve got a driver-focused culture and our compensation reflects that.”
The pay increase pairs with an 18% decrease in healthcare premiums for drivers in the new year, costing just $49 per week for employee-only coverage. The affordable coverage is offered alongside other first-rate benefits provided to Midwest Carriers employees, including dental and vision insurance, company paid short-term disability & life insurance, matching 401(k), paid vacation and regularly scheduled home time.
Drivers are paid weekly via direct deposit and receive monthly performance bonuses, which are awarded when safety and MPG requirements are met. Midwest Carriers is proud of its proven record of never laying off drivers and a significantly lower than industry average annual turnover.
Midwest prides itself on a driver-focused culture, ensuring employees have 24/7 logistics support on the road and drivers drive modern, well-maintained trucks. Drivers can rely on the team of mechanics employed at Midwest, keeping equipment safe and keeping things running smoothly on the road.
Midwest Carriers is hiring OTR and local drivers to join the team. New employees can start as early as the company’s next orientation date, which occurs every two weeks. Interested applicants can apply for careers on the website at https://drivemidwest.com/careers/ or call Midwest Carriers with questions at 800-876-4330.
About Midwest Carriers
Wisconsin-based Midwest Carriers is a leading national provider for temperature-sensitive freight and shipping needs—including meats, cheeses, pizzas, and coffee. Over its 35+ year history, Midwest Carriers continually positions itself as a total logistics partner offering premium solutions for customers. The company’s driver-focused culture emphasizes the importance of taking care of its team members, including offering impressive compensation.